Rare Hawken rifle with pistol grip

[Fletcher]

Some things are so ugly that only a Mother could love, but I honestly can say
that I never met a gun that I was not curious enough to shoot.

There were a few that I wish I had been more cautious - but it appears that
I have lived through it  

[jtwodogs]

I love it! I would have made it a little less "Bulbous" but love the overall design.

[Uncle Russ]

In John Baird's book on the Hawken Rifle, there is a photo of this rifle or one similar to it.  I think it gives a date reference as well.  But darn it, I just can't seem to find it right off.  I thought I knew where it was, but...

I agree John, I also went to Baird's book but I can't find it.
I have seen that rifle before, I know I have, but I just can't put my finger on it right now.

Looking at that rifle, while "thinking" Hawken, will be difficult for some, I agree on that point whole heartily, but we have hundreds, if not thousands of books and illustrations to thank for that.

I can't see it well enough, even w/considerable enlargement, to see that checkering on the pistol grip, but "proportionally" I would stagger a wild guess that that is a well executed 20 or 21 LPI.

I think it is nice, very nice, and my own thoughts / ideas of the gun run along side of Ironhand when he says  "looks like some English influence in the stock design. Perhaps ideas picked up from a gentleman sportsman passing through town "
Jtwodogs made mention that it appears a bit "Bulbous", and I think he is spot on, at least by today's standards.

Uncle Russ...

[Ohio Joe]

I got out my two books (The Muzzle-Loading Rifle Then & Now. Walter Cline) and (British Military Flintlock Rifles 1740 to 1840) and both have examples of pistol grip rifles.

The rifle given to Crockett in 1834 with the back action percussion lock (Plate 46) shows in my humble opinion, a try at a pistol grip but it could have been done better I think.

Now, the book British Military Flintlock Rifles 1740 to 1840 has some good pictures of "Baker" Flintlock cavalry carbines with pistol grip (Pattern 1813), on pages 125 thru 128... They are very well done in my opinion as they flow well with the stock and certainly would be an asset to a cavalry carbine.

I'm of the opinion that the pistol grip rifle would not be any kind of new idea when Hawken was making rifles in St. Louis, and even prior to that.

Also, I've not been able to identify the picture of the pistol grip Hawken Rifle above, but its appearance to me is becoming what we may term "common" of the times should a customer request one from Hawken. However I also feel that the one above was built as a sporting/hunting rifle.

I'm leaning more to the idea that request for pistol grip stocks may have come from people who spent a lot of time on horse back,,, as I draw this idea from the use of the British Flintlock Cavalry Carbines... Just my opinion.

[Hanshi]

Ironhand beat me to it but my first look at it had me saying "English game gun".

[shootrj2003]

Probably a more recent mfg,I think it has been lawyered up with a tang safety!

[rollingb]

Probably a more recent mfg,I think it has been lawyered up with a tang safety!

 Pretty sure that's the base for a tang peep sight, rather than a "tang safety".   

[Nessmuk]

I  want to try shooting one. Ugly don't bother me, poor shooting does.   

[Butler Ford 40]

Some things are so ugly that only a Mother could love, but I honestly can say
that I never met a gun that I was not curious enough to shoot.

There were a few that I wish I had been more cautious - but it appears that
I have lived through it  <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/fing20.gif" alt="" title="doh" />

I have to agree with Fletcher 100%.  My cheek weld to line of sight is right at 1 3/4".  It looks like the only thing I would see is the "tang safety".

[Ohio Joe]

Here's a Pedersoli Hawken w/ Tang Site... So what some are taking for a safety on the upper wrist, it's a sight base. 

[KDubs]

I'd own that with pride.  So ugly it beautiful.
 Kevin

[Winter Hawk]

Probably a more recent mfg, I think it has been lawyered up with a tang safety!

I agree; when I saw this again (after several years) I thought, "it's an English style gun, it must be a sliding safety." 

With apologies to Joe for not backing the peep sight theory.... 

~Kees~