Stocked in maple, this classic percussion halfstock Hawken rifle is trimmed with traditional Hawken iron furniture. The 34-1/4" Sharon barrel and iron trim are finished to a dark 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 14", to fit today's average shooter. This rifle weighs 9.5 pounds.

The .54 caliber 1" straight octagon Sharon barrel is 34-1/4" long and is cut rifled with eight equal size lands and grooves with a slow twist for a tightly patched round ball. The bore is bright in as-new condition, Mr. Nelson was able to find an unused barrel blank for this rifle. The barrel is finished to a smooth dark brown. Located 8" forward of the breech a semi-buckhorn rear sight is dovetailed into the barrel. It is matched at the muzzle by a silver blade front sight set in a brass base behind the muzzle. The top flat of the barrel is engraved G. B. Nelson.

The straight grain maple stock has a golden brown tone finished to a satin sheen. 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 muzzle cap. All the furniture is very neatly fitted and finished with the screws indexed. This percussion rifle is made to accept a sturdy 7/16" tapered ramrod, ideal for a large bore rifle. The ramrod is fitted with a brass tip threaded 8-32 for loading and cleaning accessories, and in Hawken style a short band is fitted at the front to protect the end grain of the ramrod. The ramrod is decorated with a barber pole design. 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. A decorative spade shaped final was brazed onto the end of the triggerplate. 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 R.E. Davis percussion Hawken lock with English style hammer has been finished to a dark brown. 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. 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 hooked breech is fitted with a 1/4-28 threaded hardened steel nipple. The L&R Lock Company Hawken 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.

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.