Thoughts/questions on a Hawken gun barrel

[deepcreekdale]

I was displaying at a show this past weekend and a gentleman approached me with a gun he was interested in selling. It was a typical mid 1970's style build, huge roman nose, poorly inlet parts, thick wood etc, way too many huge brass inlays in percussion. But, the barrel which was original, was marked D.T. Hawken, Springfield Ohio. Measured 44-45 cal, inch across the flats 41 inches long. Bore was fair to good. He said he would take $400.00. Not interested in the gun but what are the thoughts on getting that barrel and restocking it into something nicer. He said D.T Hawken was a cousin of the Jake and Sam, a quick internet search showed a D.T. Hawken in Springfield in about 1840-1850 but no mention of relationship to the famous brothers. I haven't researched in my print library yet  but am interested in the ideas from the members here. Worth getting? Maybe rerifling?

[smokinbuck]

I know of one other DT Hawken rifle. It is a plain 1/2 stock with, I think, a walnut stock. It's owned by a family in Springfield. It's my understanding he was a relative of Jake and Sam. Cousin, nephew ?
Mark

[deepcreekdale]

Thanks Mark. I appreciate that. I figured there must be some relation, not a common name. I think it would be somewhat interesting if properly restocked.

[Daryl]

Like this?






 

[deepcreekdale]

Those are beautiful Daryl, I love plains Hawkens and have built several. But I was thinking something more in the style that would be built in Springfield Ohio in the 1840's. Just a plain full or half stock rifle. As a 45 caliber, it was probably not intended for the western trade but for the local target shooting/farm gun sort of thing. I also don't want to create something that would be considered some sort of "fake". I think the family relationship is interesting enough and with that original stamp intact, that would make it sort of neat.

[Don Stith]

THere  is a picture of an original DT Hawken in volume two of Ohio Longrifles by Whisker
  It is a halfstock.  Has a nice patchbox, but otherwise pretty plain .  Might give you some ideas
  Cannot find my other Ohio books but will keep looking