Stocked in curly maple, this classic percussion halfstock Hawken rifle is trimmed with traditional Hawken iron furniture. The 35-3/4" straight octagon barrel and iron trim are rust browned, to an attractive smooth chocolate brown finish. A classic Hawken hooked breech and two wedge keys retain the barrel, allowing instant take-down, for easy cleaning. This rifle was assembled by contemporary builder D. Priddy, and is signed on the top flat of the barrel. We have shown several pieces of his work over the years, and we are always pleased to offer hand made guns of this quality. Trigger reach is 13-1/2" to fit an average size shooter. This half-stock plains rifle weighs 10.3 pounds, and balances at the ramrod entry pipe.

The .54 caliber 1" straight octagon barrel is 35-3/4" from the muzzle to the breech plug. The bore is rifled with seven narrow lands and wider grooves with a slow twist for shooting patched round balls. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. The chocolate brown finish has worn to a silvery-gray near the breech plug and in areas frequently handled. A browned iron blade front sight is dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle. A step adjustable Rocky Mountain rear sight is dovetailed so it sits 10-3/4" ahead of the breech. Shooters with "older" eyes or corrective lenses will generally benefit from the extra distance. The top flat is signed D. Priddy just behind the rear sight.

The curly maple stock has tight figure running throughout. The maple stock was finished with chromium trioxide, a popular stain during the 1970's. Over time the stain ages to a greenish tint. This rifle does have a slight greenish tint when viewed under florescent lights. The buttstock has a classic Hawken crescent buttplate to engage the shooter's shoulder. The stock is nicely shaped with a slender profile and the inletting is excellent on this rifle. The brown finish of the octagon barrel, lock, and iron furniture has worn bright in the commonly handled areas. The stock has a few minor handling marks from field use. The long patchbox is found on a few original Hawken rifles, such as the one owned by Mariano Medina. Some historians speculate that the patchbox design was influenced or possibly even performed by the St. Louis makers Hoffman & Campbell, due to the similarity of the design. The patchbox is neatly fitted with excellent metal to wood fit. The mounting screws are fitted with the slots neatly aligned. The door lifts open to reveal a cavity for storing extra shooting accessories.

The top view shows the long iron tang of the hooked breech that strengthens the wrist. The forend is fitted with oval escutcheon plates for the wedge keys. All of the mounting screws are neatly aligned with the barrel. The hooked breech allows the barrel to be easily dismounted for cleaning without risk of wetting the stock with water containing black powder residue. To dismount the barrel, put the lock on half cock, withdraw the ramrod, drift the keys past the underlugs, and the barrel can be lifted from the barrel channel for ease of cleaning. Remove the 1/4-28 nipple and place the breech end of the barrel in a bucket of soapy water. Run a wet patch down and up the bore, the pumping action will flush all the fouling from the barrel. Once the bore is clean, run a dry patch down the bore to pick up any moisture followed by an oily patch. Dry and oil the exterior then reassemble the rifle.

The traditional iron toeplate protects the toe, and is mounted with two screws. The long trigger bar, anchored to the long tang with two tang bolts, supports and reinforces the wrist. A hard fall will probably not break this rifle, while you are hunting the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, many days by horseback and keel-boat from Sam Hawken's gun shop in Saint Louis. The forearm of the stock is fitted with a traditional pewter muzzle cap. An iron ramrod entry pipe is fitted behind the muzzle cap and shows wear in the finish from carrying. The snugly fitted hickory ramrod is fitted with a brass tip at the front end, threaded 8-32 for your cleaning jag. The single lock bolt, and tear drop escutcheon around it, are classic features of a half-stock Hawken plains rifle of the early era. The beaver-tail cheek piece adds comfort for a right hand shooter, while aiming this 19th century plains rifle.

Ron Long, of Denver, recreated this T. Gibbons Hawken percussion lock, for the Green River Rifle Works of Roosevelt, Utah. This lock is signed by Ron Long on the inside. This is the correct Hawken lock for this fur trade era percussion rifle. Polished inside, the well tempered parts include a strong mainspring, stirrup link, and a fly detent to allow set triggers. The finish has worn to a dull gray from cleaning and use. Ron Long double lever double set triggers fire set or unset, for target match shooting, or cold weather hunting with gloved fingers. Turn the set screw, between the two triggers, inboard, until the rear trigger is disabled. After hunting, return the screw to its normal position, and adjust it to make your set trigger as strong or as feather light as you prefer, within the limits of safe use.

If you seek an attractive example of an early Hawken half-stock rifle, made exclusively from best American parts, signed by the maker, this example is worthy of your consideration. The bore is clean and ready to shoot. The inletting is excellent on this rifle and the new owner will be proud to show all of his friends at the range! Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.