Hawken style pistol question

[Clark Badgett]

I'm in acquiring parts for a Hawken style pistol build. I do not plan on it being a copy of the only pair of said originals that I know of, just something based upon their design. I've got a 15/16" .54 barrel and roughed out stock on hand, a percussion plug and tang on the way and a few ram rod remnants laying about. Other parts will come about when available or I'll make them.

My question is this. Should I use 3/8" or 7/16? ramrod for this build? I mean for the best looks, both will work for the loading purpose.

[wattlebuster]

I wont try an tell you what you should use but the ramrod on my Joe Schell 62 smoothbore is 3/8ths an tapers down slightly. I think it looks ok so I would probably go 3/8ths were it my build

[Daryl]

A rod that tapers quickly is quite pleasing to the eye.  It also allows reducing the web of wood between the bottom flat and the rod, which reduces the depth of the forend.  7/16" down to 3/8" is very nice.
This said, I do not know what is 'proper' for a Hawken Pistol.  The rod on Taylor's .60 cal. Hawken pistol is steel and pivots in the retainer at the muzzle, just now relizing I have no picture of that pistol.

[Clark Badgett]

Waddlebuster and Daryl, those are some nice hand cannons. Daryl, if I were to build a direct copy of the only Hawken pistols that I've seen anywhere, then I would be locked into the steel ramrod. I'm going to use a little "artistic license" here and make one with a wood rammer, and after looking at the pictures y'all provided 3/8" would probably give the slimmest look. Now to decide if to go full or half stock.

[blienemann]

Look at English pocket pistols ca 1820 (online auction sites, etc.), and the few Hawken and related pistols which are very similar.  Most have a swamped or tapered barrel of large bore, the ramrod is near bore size at muzzle with a rapid taper to rear.  With a .54, start with a good 1/2" rod at muzzle, maybe a 7/16" forward pipe and 3/8" entry pipe, and taper the rod smaller inside forearm - with or without an iron tip for jag inside.  The muzzle end is sometimes sleeved with bone, and if plain, is usually rounded out at end, versus concave to fit ball.

These online auction sites like Guns International are great resources for studying old guns.  Many other details can be picked up and approximated - key stock for front sight, furniture, finishes, etc.