View Full Version : New addition to the herd...
tom_k/mo
12-21-2009, 01:16 PM
As some of you know, one of my other hobbies is shooting muzzleloader rifles. I've been working with a custom builder to build a new muzzleloader for me (this is the 4th he's built for me). I just got word from Tim and it's ready to ship. Here's some pictures he just e-mailed me. It's an exact replica of Jim Bridger's Hawken rifle, built to a set of plans that Russ Large drew from the original rifle. It's 54 caliber with a 36" barrel, tapered from 1-1/8" at the breech to 1" at the muzzle. I can't wait to make smoke with it.
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5044/newhawken.jpg
mickyd
12-21-2009, 01:37 PM
Top notch work!! Good source you've got there Tom.
joedw00
12-21-2009, 01:56 PM
Did I miss something? I don't see any pictures.:confused:
tom_k/mo
12-21-2009, 02:10 PM
Did I miss something? I don't see any pictures.:confused:
Joe, the picture is in the message. If it's not displaying in your browser, you can view it HERE. (http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5044/newhawken.jpg)
curiousgeorge
12-21-2009, 02:13 PM
Tom,
That is one fine rifle. I built a Hawken about 20 yrs. ago. Even draw-filed the barrel down to hex and everything. Killed many a pie plate with it. :D
Wish I had kept it.
nomoman
12-21-2009, 03:36 PM
It's an exact replica of Jim Bridger's Hawken rifle
Is that the guy from Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford)? The guy that was frozen?
tom_k/mo
12-21-2009, 05:26 PM
Is that the guy from Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford)? The guy that was frozen?
Frayed Knot, that was Hatchet Jack... :cool: Jim WAS a famous mountain man / trapper but lived a long life. He finally died in Kansas City Mo, in 1881. He explored the Rockies from 1822 through 1861. Jeremiah Johnson (aka "Liver-Eating Johnson") was in the Rockies at the same general time.
This rifle is what the rifle Jeremiah Johnson was carrying REALLY looked like, although the Hawken he originally had was 30 cal. The one he got from the frozen body of Hatchet Jack was 50 cal. No, they didn't have shiny brass hardware, it was browned iron. In the movie Robert Redford actually carried a Thompson Center Arms "wanna-be"...
paul269
12-21-2009, 06:30 PM
Nice weapon Tom.
Who made the rifle?
I have looked at some of the kits offered by Jim Chambers but have never purchased one. I have also looked at this class (link below) but the time and money have kept me on the sideline. Maybe some day I will take the class since it is only about an hour drive from where I live.
http://www.connerprairie.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Special-Events/Arts-And-Arms-5-Day.aspx
Now don’t be knocking Thompson Center. My first muzzleloader was the 50 cal. Thunder Hawk that I passed to my 12yo nephew a few years ago. Then I purchased the Encore Pro hunter with the 209x50. Both are great weapons and have dispatched many deer with impressive results. Although they are of a modern in line design Thompson still makes quality firearms. Now if you had said CVA then that’s another issue.