Just finished Hawken

[mikeyfirelock]

Newbie here, but have built a few rifles over the years.  I just finished a Hawken for one of my brothers, and thought I'd post a few pics.  It has a Green Mountain .50 x 36" bbl. with L&R lock and triggers.  Wood was a piece I have had tucked away for a good many years.  The finish does not do the wood justice.  We shot it on my backyard range and its a really nice shooter.  All in all I'm satisfied, although I realize I need to brush up my inletting skills.  
Mikeyfirelock
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[PPatch]

Beautiful wood, good looking gun and nice work over all, trigger guard looks like an early Hawken style. I like that beavertail although the lock panels could be a wee bit thinner, sculpted, with the belly rounding up to them (not that you asked and not that I've ever built one...). what size is that ramrod?

dp

 

[pushboater]

Great project to learn the ropes on. Not too bad for a newbie. The stock color is really nice. It goes good with the browned barrel. What's next on your plate? A nice Early Lancaster maybe? Have fun and welcome to the forum.

[mikeyfirelock]

Ppatch and Pushboater:  thanks for the comments. The ramrod is a 3/8" -maybe a little light. I think if I'd used a little larger one, I would have treated the lock panels differently.  You are correct, they should be thinner.  Pushboater, you mentioned Lancaster. I (hopefully) will attach pics of two that I built in the 1980's for a co worker.
Next is a set of pistols for the other brother.

[bedbugbilly]

Very nice job - I enjoyed seeing the "inlay" as well . . . always nice to see a "Brother's" gun . .  . Hiram should be very proud to shoot that one!  Thanks for sharing!   

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I think you've done a nice job building your Hawken rifle.  I agree that the lock panels, along the top and bottom would have been nicer, if they were narrower.  It really shows up on the offside, and along the bottom of the stock in the trigger area.  One more thing, your choice of buttplate does not appeal to me.  I prefer Hawken buttplates to have a much more pronounced heel.  I don't think its right for vendors to advertise those 'heelless' buttplates as Hawken buttplates. 
I especially like the way you've shaped the forend.  There is no slab-sidedness at all, and it's nice and deep.  The noes cap/entry pipe area looks well done.  Your rifle too, has a nice wrist shape.

[mattdog]

That's a very nice gun!  I doubt that your bother will notice or care about the lock panels or the butt plate.  I hope that he will enjoy it for what it is.