Your TMA Officers and Board of Directors
Support the TMA! ~ Traditional Muzzleloaders ~ The TMA is here for YOU!
*** JOIN in on the TMA 2024 POSTAL MATCH *** it's FREE for ALL !

For TMA related products, please check out the new TMA Store !

The Flintlock Paper

*** Folk Firearms Collective Videos ***



Author Topic: Hooked breech plug?  (Read 845 times)

Offline Mike B

  • TMA Forum Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1
Hooked breech plug?
« on: September 03, 2016, 01:21:04 PM »
Does anyone know who might make a long rifle with a full stock with a hooked breech plug.  Or do all long rifles have the barrels pinned in place?

Thanks!

Online RobD

  • TMA Contributing Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 3596
  • TMA President
  • Location: NJ
Re: Hooked breech plug?
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2016, 04:42:05 PM »
i don't know ... but, i don't see why not.  instead of pins, 2 or 3 wedges would do nicely.  

check this out ....



hawken rifles

Online RobD

  • TMA Contributing Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 3596
  • TMA President
  • Location: NJ
Re: Hooked breech plug?
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2016, 04:57:41 PM »
here's one built by tom watson sr. for a TMA member ...

Online Bigsmoke

  • TMA Contributing Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4279
  • TMA: Charter Member #150
Re: Hooked breech plug?
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2016, 09:41:33 PM »
RFD, In my mind, there is a difference between a full stock Hawken rifle and a "long rifle".
I make no claim to be knowledgeable about long rifles, but I don't think many, if any, ever had a hook breech and  a wedge retaining system.  At least, none that I have ever recalled seeing.
On the other hand, most all Hawkens have had a hook breech and wedges.
YMMV, and probably will.
John
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest Up to God.

BigSmoke - John Shorb
TMA Charter Member #150  
NRA - Life
Coeur d'Alene Muzzleloaders - Life

Online RobD

  • TMA Contributing Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 3596
  • TMA President
  • Location: NJ
Re: Hooked breech plug?
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2016, 05:38:31 AM »
i absolutely agree, john.  

the classic long rifle or smoothbore is pinned, not wedged.

however, there are those early flinter hawken full stocks the brothers made in the very early 19th century, with hooked breeches and wedged barrels, as i've shown above, and still crafted these dayze by good gunmakers.

hooked breeches and wedge barrels are my absolute fave, but they're just not a real part of the world of 18th century flinters, where pinned full stocks ruled.