AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: PoorPete on July 04, 2021, 05:30:25 PM

Title: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: PoorPete on July 04, 2021, 05:30:25 PM
I am new to the forum and hope I’m posting this correctly. I just purchased a contemporary built hawken rifle with a Harold Robbins lock, a 8 grooved rifled bore in 54 and a barrel stamped R Murphy St Luis. Just wanted to see if any of the members know anything of the builder or a ball park time it might have been made.
(https://i.ibb.co/x2mxVbg/image.jpg) (https://ibb.co/51Ybq3j)

scaping smileys (https://emoticoncentral.com/category/scaping)

(https://i.ibb.co/3vRzNfK/953350-D5-BD20-4-CA6-BB62-820-C576-D76-F6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cwYLFbq)
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on July 07, 2021, 07:16:31 PM
PP:  Sorry, I can offer nothing to help with your questions.
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: Dutch Blacky on July 07, 2021, 08:23:28 PM
For me this rifle is very  similar to a rifle made with a Petersoli kit. But I am only  an old grumbler, and I migjt be wrong.
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: rich pierce on July 07, 2021, 08:42:02 PM
The Robbins lock could offer a clue, or not. Lots of parts are bought, lay around a long time, then get sold to somebody with the time and interest to complete a build.
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: PoorPete on July 08, 2021, 12:03:13 AM
Thank you guys for your input! I have only seen two other ml’s with the makers name (R Murphy) on the internet, so I assume few guns were probably made by Mr. Murphy. The rifle I have of his has great wood work and some rough metal work but a good overall rifle. Half of my family are Murphy’s and well you know just kinda partial to the name. Thanks
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: Daryl on July 18, 2021, 10:48:40 PM
Sorry- cannot help with your questions but I do have an observation. That's a lot of drop at the heal.
Interesting gun.
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: PoorPete on July 21, 2021, 05:28:24 PM
Daryl, that is a very good observation that I did not notice until you pointed it out. I’m going to have to measure it when I get home.
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: PoorPete on July 22, 2021, 05:31:04 AM
The drop measured 4 1/4” with 14 LOP.
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: Bob Roller on July 27, 2021, 12:53:16 AM
With that extreme drop at the heel I would think with a heavy load it would smack the shooter
a good bit.A friend of mine,Sid Estep built a copy of the Robideaux Hawken and he is a superb machinist
and copied it to less than 1/32 of an inch on any shown dimensions and his father shot it and said the butt
plate was an abomination so Sid made a second one with a shotgun butt plate and it was his father's hunting
rifle until he died. Sid also made some nice locks and I helped him but they were not wanted by the shooters
and he quit.Another fine maker lost forever to the muzzle loading fraternity.
Bob Roller
Title: Re: R Murphy Hawken?
Post by: PoorPete on July 27, 2021, 03:40:23 PM
Bob,
I would image your right and I can tell you are a wealth of knowledge. I am new to Hawkens and have little to compare it with. I have been shooting every weekend so far, with 3 shots fired at each of three targets with the best group put up on the wall in the garage to see my progress and effects in changes. I look forward to learning and sharing with many of the members.
Thanks Pete