Author Topic: Hawken comb,shaping  (Read 2963 times)

Offline Joe S.

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Hawken comb,shaping
« on: February 09, 2017, 06:12:40 PM »
Seems the shapes,styles of the cheeks,combs are all over the place.They do hold a theme but vary greatly. Looking at images of originals I find some more pleasing to the eye than others.Where the comb transitions into the wrist,that reverse radius holding the shape of the wrist into the stock.I found one cheek that keeps that shape where others keep the shape the same as the rear of the cheek and most have opposing lines in the area in the front where the cheek and comb meet the wrist.Most have the comb coming out of the wrist pretty much right after the end of the tang,mine I trimmed it back some cause that's where my thumb naturally wants to be.Quess a case of pick a rifle and go with it,you can't go wrong.I will probably be somewhere in between keeping the traditional lines but what feels nice and looks good to my eye.Just curious as to what everybody else thinks about it

Offline Herb

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2017, 06:34:03 PM »
The Hawken rifles were built by different workmen and there is a lot of variation.  Some are ugly, no other way to say it.  Unless you are making an exact replica copy of a specific rifle, just pick one you like and do it that way.  You want to shoot it, so make it fit you, while still fitting within the average range of cheek pieces on originals.  I have come to like the Kit Carson best of all, and the Bridger is a heavier twin to it (longer barrel).
Herb

Offline Joe S.

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2017, 07:05:16 PM »
that's about where I'm at Herb,just wondering how other folks here who crossed this bridge felt,thanks.

Whaleman

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2017, 09:20:59 PM »
Herb is right. I had more trouble picking my lock panels than anything else. So much variation. Dan

Offline Daryl

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2017, 04:26:05 AM »
All Taylor's builds.

Here's a pair:



Here's another, a fairly close copy of an original,including the sights.



A straight wrist full stock in the white.



« Last Edit: February 10, 2017, 04:31:24 AM by Daryl »
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2017, 04:39:15 AM »
I think I read some where that the early Hawken guns had an ever so slight curve to the comb line. Is that what I'm looking at on the unfinnished full stock by Taylor or is it camera angle?

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2017, 08:53:38 PM »
Smylee:  There could be maybe 3/64" of a hump in the comb.  Absolutely flat is the least it should be, and never swamped or sunken.  Some Hawken rifles have a noticeable convex curve along the comb line...the Modena rifle is one.
D. Taylor Sapergia
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Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2017, 09:33:59 PM »
Thanks for that Taylor, I think I had read that in Bairds book and yes you can see it in the Modena rifle that I have handled in Gordon's Museum.

Offline Marcruger

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2017, 11:51:39 PM »
Daryl, that was just downright mean of you to post the photo of the two Hawkens (flint and cap).  A man could get gun-lust looking at that picture.  ;-) 
Taylor sure does some beautiful work.   Best wishes,   Marc

Offline B.Habermehl

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Re: Hawken comb,shaping
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2017, 11:59:04 PM »
Every time I shape a straight comb line on a gun, I always wind up with the actual finished comb line just ever so slightly convex. If I made it perfectly straight it would look dished. If I measured it, I would wind up with a thirty second of a inch or so of crown to avoid a dished look. I'm just a gun stocker not at all a Hawken expert. BJH
BJH