Lamphere Hawken

[ptk1126]

About 20 years ago I bought a repro Hawken at a local auction. The auction company
said the gun was dated 1926. I didn't really care as it was in good shooting condition and
I only paid $100.

The top flat is stamped "C.V. Lamphere, Pontiac, MI". I assume this was the builder. I did find
a Cecil Vane Lamphere, born 30 Sep 1904 in Lapeer Co., MI and died 29 Feb 1992.


I could not find anything that dated the rifle 1926, and, as it has a 54 cal G.R.Douglas barrel, I guess that
was in error. No id marks on the lock.

Does anyone know of a Lamphere building Hawkens in Michigan ??

Here are a few pix:









All the best
Paul

[longrifle]

I have never heard of the builder, but that is a nice looking rifle.

[rich pierce]

Best looking $100 rifle I've seen.  Looks like this guy knew Hawkens.

[Levy]

It's my guess that it was made back during the Hawken craze in the 70's and 80's.  I base that on the lock which was sold by Dixie Gun Works back then.  I bought one of the locks when they had them on sale and still have it in a box unused.  It's a nice looking rifle particularly for $100.

James Levy

[JCKelly]

Didn't know him personally, but I understand that Cecil Lamphere was known for restocking old guns now & again. I got photos of a nice Michigan double rifle stamped CV LAMPHERE, was about to include it in my book on Michigan Gunmakers. Hmmm . . .  that name sounded familiar, and oh yeah, the stamp is a modern style of letters without serif. Then a friend told me Cecil had a shop somewhere off Telegraph Road in Pontiac. So I decided to include the restocked gun anyway, labled for what it is.
Boy that's an awfully good looking lock for something from Dixie, no??

[jim meili]

Beautiful piece! Interesting to note he put a front lock screw in it and just a single trigger. Must have built it to someone's desires.

Thanks for showing it to us!

[Roger B]

I have one of those locks on my first Hawken from the mid 70s.  If I remember correctly it is of Italian descent & distributed by Palmetto Armory.  Mine still works fine & has never had a problem in the gazillions of rounds it has ignited.  It wore out the original Douglas barrel & it now has a newer one in its place.
Roger B. 

[Dancy]

Nice lines on that rifle, how does it shoot?

[ptk1126]

Thanks to all for the info.

I have not shot this rifle (or any rifle) in about 10 years, but I recall it was an excellent shooter. My
son took it to deer camp several years ago and said it still held well and his friends were impressed.

All the best
Paul