Rudkin hawken

[Dan'l 1946]

Hi guys--has anyone ever heard of a builder named H. Rudkin? I have a chance to pick up a rifle that he built back in the 1970s or 1980s for a good price, but I can't place his name. Thanks. Dan

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

If it is a good rifle, ie: authentically made with a good bore, it doesn't matter who made it, famous or obscure.  Run a very tight patched jag down the bore and see what you get. Any roughness at all - walk away, if you are a shooter.  If you collect contemporary rifles, I suppose the bore may not be as important, but I wouldn't know about collecting.

[Dan'l 1946]

The bore is mint and that is important to me. Apparently, Henry Rudkin was the son of the founder of Pepperidge Farms and an avid muzzleloader. He lived in Switzerland for a while and built most if not all of his rifles there. He was a stickler for accuracy and quality of components and fit and finish. If this rifle is any indication, he liked them to be historically accurate as well. I believe he passed away a few years ago. Now all that I need to do is find a mold for .63 or .635 ball and I'll be ready to try her out..
                                                                Dan

[bigbat]

Dan.
I belive I heard Henry Rudkins name at Phil Sanders on many occassions.  Blue built rifles for him, suppose it was built by Blue Jacket?  Rudkin moved to Switzerland to avoid losing much of his vast fortune. I dont believe he was a rifle builder.  Any makers marks? I know what bluejackets mark is.

[Randy Hedden]

"Blue Jacket" Phil Sanders, now there is a name out of the past.

Randy Hedden

[Dan'l 1946]

Dan.
I belive I heard Henry Rudkins name at Phil Sanders on many occassions.  Blue built rifles for him, suppose it was built by Blue Jacket?  Rudkin moved to Switzerland to avoid losing much of his vast fortune. I dont believe he was a rifle builder.  Any makers marks? I know what bluejackets mark is.

  I can't find a mark or maker's name anywhere. The furniture appears to be from the Hawken Shop and the lock is a Denver marked Ron Long. The fit and finish are first rate by any measure.  The set triggers have what looks like a casehardened finish, but if so it is very faint. The caliber is .64 and the barrel is 1.25" at the breech tapering to 1.125" at the muzzle. The style is that of a later rifle--say about the "Great Migration" period.

  I'll check for marks again tomorrow. Thanks for the information abut Henry Rudkin. Do you have more information regarding Blue Jacket? The name is familiar, but I don't know anything about him. If the workmanship on my rifle is an example of his talent, he is a wonderful gunmaker. Thanks again.
                                                                    Dan

[bigbat]

email me if you would like to. I know Blue Jacket very well.
Scott Sibley

[JoeG]

Blue Jacket built most of the full stock Hawken rifles and North West trade guns for Green River Rifle Works 

His touch mark then was a Tombstone with a P over an X

[Dan'l 1946]

Joe, there are no markings on the Hawken, but I have a 24 gauge Northwest gun that carries that mark. I think that no original was ever as finely built as this one. It has a silver arrow inlaid at the front sight with the sight placed on the arrow shaft. I can't feel the arrow when I run a finger over it. It might be more of a "Chief's grade" gun, but even these weren't as well fitted as this one!
                                         Dan