Stocked in maple, this classic percussion halfstock Hawken rifle is trimmed with traditional Hawken iron furniture. The 36" barrel and iron trim are finished to a smooth silvery-brown. A classic Hawken hooked breech and two wedge keys retain the straight octagon barrel, allowing instant take-down, for easy cleaning. This rifle was assembled by contemporary builder George Nelson, and is signed on the top flat of the barrel. Trigger reach is 13-1/4", to fit today's average shooter. This rifle weighs 10.0 pounds.

The .54 caliber Colerain 1" straight octagon barrel is cut rifled with six radius, round bottom, grooves with a 1 in 56" twist for a tightly patched round ball. The bore is bright, clean, and ready to shoot. Colerain rifle barrels are the favorite choice of today's best muzzle loading gun makers, because knowledgeable shooters demand Colerain's accuracy, inside and outside. Founded by two entrepreneurs, Scott Keller and Scott Kelly were tutored by Bob Paris, the famous rifle barrel maker who was first to perfect the technique for production of correct swamped barrels. A semi-buckhorn rear sight is dovetailed 8" ahead of the breech. It is matched by a silver blade front sight set in a brass base dovetailed behind the muzzle. The top flat of the barrel is engraved G. B. Nelson.

The maple stock has a warm brown tone and is finished to a satin egg shell finish. The stock is trimmed in iron furniture with a classic Hawken crescent buttplate that securely engages your shoulder. The forend is fitted with a poured pewter forend cap, and all of the iron furniture is finished to match the barrel. This percussion rifle is made to accept a sturdy 7/16" tapered ramrod, ideal for a large bore rifle. The ramrod is decorated with a barber pole design and is fitted with a brass tip threaded 8-32 for loading and cleaning accessories, and in Hawken style a short brass band at the front to protect the end grain of the ramrod. The top view shows the long tang hooked breech. Both tang screws engage the long steel trigger plate, forming a strong steel sandwich that reinforces the wrist from above and below. This was one of Jacob and Sam Hawken's secrets. If a rifle becomes broken, it will most likely be broken at the wrist, the thinnest section of the rifle stock. The triggerplate and tang reinforce the wrist, strengthening this critical area, making the Hawken rifle reliable, durable, and famous.

The beaver tail toeplate protects the pointed toe while loading. The polished and fire blued wedge keys extend just past the opposite oval escutcheons. The keys are snugly fitted and captured to the stock to prevent loss, use a hardwood or brass drift to gently tap them loose. To dismount the barrel, place the lock at half cock, remove the ramrod, drift the keys clear of the underlugs, and lift the barrel from the muzzle end to unhook the hook on the breech from the tang. When cleaning 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. Notice the typical beaver tail cheek rest, double set triggers, and single lock bolt fitted to a recessed steel escutcheon, all classic features of an 1840 era Hawken rifle. It balances nicely in your hands, for offhand shooting.

The L&R percussion Hawken lock has been finished to match the barrel. This mid-19th century styled lock has a strong mainspring, stirrup link, and fly detent, all nice internal features. Mr. Nelson notes that the lock is tightly fitted and should you need to remove it from the stock it is best to loosen the lock bolt and gently tap the bolt head to push the lock from the mortise. The L&R double lever double set triggers are tuned to fire the lock set, or unset. The lock and triggers may be cocked or set in any sequence. Adjust the screw between the two triggers, inboard to reduce set trigger release pressure, our outboard to require a stronger pressure. The set trigger can provide very light release, perhaps an ounce or two, for accurate aimed shooting during pleasant weather.

New in unfired condition, this Hawken rifle is ready for use in the field. It will serve you well. 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.