I am building another copy of the Bridger Hawken with the problem of making a correct 1 1/8" tang. I wrote about this before, but here is the problem in pictures. This is Track of the Wolf's catalog showing their Jim Bridger 1 1/8" Breech & Tang. "Designed by the Green River Rifle Works", which does not seem to be so. Notice the hump and excessive tail drop. The second picture is their Plug-JBX-18-3, which is correct for the Bridger and Carson tang contours. This photo is from their Catalog 16 (current one is 18) and JBX is no longer available. I just called them. The third tang is the same one from Muzzleloader Builder's Supply, their number 28830. It is out of stock and Terry Jo doesn't know when they will get more. The manufacturer is Pete Allen. I have the tang but not the plug. Notice the smaller hook, so I cannot substitute Track's Plug JB-18.3. The fourth tang is Green River's 1" Hawken Tang. I don't remember if they used that for the Bridger or had a 1 1/8" barrel on it.
MBS 28830 laid against a photo of the Bridger Hawken, taken at GRRW in November 1975.
My copy of the Bridger Hawken with a 1 1/8" barrel and plug. I don't remember what kind of tang I put on it. Must have been Track's, but I don't know how I got the correct contour. I have cracked two tangs trying to hammer that hump out without enough heat. Against a photo of the Kit Carson Hawken.
The Carson Hawken with MBS 28830 tang showing correct contour.
The Carson Hawken with the GRRW 1" Hawken tang.
The Gun Works Emporium in Oregon has a 1 1/8" plug and tang but I don't remember if I've had one of those or seen it. I seem to remember the snail does not go full length to the front. Does anyone know or have a photo of the plug and tang?
