Stocked in walnut, this classic percussion halfstock Hawken rifle is trimmed with traditional iron furniture. The 36" barrel and iron trim are finished to a smooth brown. A classic Hawken hooked breech and two wedge keys retain the tapered octagon barrel, allowing take-down for easy cleaning. New, unfired, this rifle was assembled by contemporary builder George Nelson, and is signed on the top flat of the barrel. Trigger reach is 14-1/8", to fit today's average size shooter. This rifle weighs 10.7 pounds and balances at the ramrod entry pipe.
The 36" long .54 caliber Colerain octagon barrel is 1-1/8" at the breech and tapers to 1" at the muzzle. The bore is cut rifled with six lands and radius bottom grooves. 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. Colerain rifle barrels are drilled from solid steel, cut rifled with six "round bottom" grooves. Called "radius groove rifling", Colerain eliminates the sharp inside corner that accumulates fouling. Radius groove rifling cutters are a bit more expensive to make, but Colerain's customers agree that the accuracy, easy loading, and easy cleaning are worth the cost. The barrel is finished to a smooth even brown, which nicely compliments the stock. Located 8-1/2" forward of the breech a step adjustable Hawken buckhorn rear sight is dovetailed into the barrel. It is matched at the muzzle by a silver blade front sight that is set in a copper base behind the muzzle. The top flat of the barrel is engraved G. B. Nelson.
The straight grain walnut stock is finished to a warm brown tone and is neatly shaped and inlet. The buttplate is tall with a modest curve to engage the shooter's shoulder. The long tang of the hooked breech strengthens the wrist. The tang bolts are neatly fitted with the slots aligned. 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 captured keys past the underlugs, and the barrel can be lifted from the barrel channel for ease of cleaning. The keys are captured to the stock to prevent loss. Remove the 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.
Sweeping down from the hooked breech, the long tang of the rifle is matched below by the long triggerplate, the two sandwich the wood of the wrist between them and strengthen that portion of the stock. All the screws slots are neatly aligned along the tang and buttplate. The iron toeplate protects that delicate area of the stock when it is in contact with the ground during loading and cleaning. The long plate adds extra strength to the stock that, historically, made these rifles so popular on the Great Plains and in the Rocky Mountains. Well forward the ramrod is retained by two forward pipes that are soldered to the barrel under rib and one entry pipe. The ramrod is fitted with a steel tip with threads for 8-32 accessories. The entry pipe sits just below a poured pewter forend cap, polished to a satin gray finish. The lock panels are nicely shaped with a slender appearance. The single lock bolt and tear drop escutcheon around it are classic features of a halfstock Hawken plains rifle, from the 1835 - 1845 era. Note the beaver tail shaped cheek piece that adds comfort for a right hand shooter, while aiming this .54 caliber rifle.
The Jim Bridger percussion Hawken lock has been browned to match the barrel. This mid-19th century styled lock has a strong mainspring, stirrup link, and fly detent, all nice internal features. The front upper edge of the lock plate has been neatly shaped to blend into lock panels. The R.E. Davis 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. The breech is fitted with a 1/4-28 hardened steel nipple to accept No. 11 percussion caps.
New, unfired this large caliber Hawken Plains rifle with walnut stock, iron furniture, percussion lock and double set triggers is neatly fitted and finished. 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.
