Hacker Martin Rifle on GunBroker

[DICKH]

     In the May 1961 issue of Muzzle Blasts Bill Large said in his ad.I'm having Col. Hacker Martin
to build me a rifle around one of my best 40 cal. barrels.That's not all, I'm driving after it and plan
to shoot the hot air with the great Hacker Martin. Got the family tree and my G.G.G. Pop was a big
Bro. off of Hacker's tree.

Richard Henderson

[Nit Wit]

Now guess who had the high bid!
Nit Wit

[Molly]

I'm sure the auction winner is quite happy.  Most often it's not about dollars but desire.  Congrats!!

[Nit Wit]

I am thrilled beyond belief! I never dreamed I would be high bidder. The seller was stunned also, I think Christmas did him in!
NW

[Bob Roller]

     In the May 1961 issue of Muzzle Blasts Bill Large said in his ad.I'm having Col. Hacker Martin
to build me a rifle around one of my best 40 cal. barrels.That's not all, I'm driving after it and plan
to shoot the hot air with the great Hacker Martin. Got the family tree and my G.G.G. Pop was a big
Bro. off of Hacker's tree.

Richard Henderson

I remember that rifle. It had 6 wedges holding the forearm and barrel together and the wood was so green
that when Bill removed the barrel it curved to the right in a very pronounced arc.I don't think it was in Bill's
possession very long after that.

Bob Roller

[Nit Wit]

Fed Ex delivered the rifle today. The photos that were posted on gun broker did not do this rifle justice! It's a beauty with a 52 caliber bore. The pull is perfect for me. After I clean it up a bit I'm going to try a .495 ball and a denim patch. I'll let you know!
Nit Wit

[BOB HILL]

Congratulations on your purchase. You have a piece of our black powder history there..........  Bob

[oldtravler61]

 Yes indeed Nit Wit you have a true treasure. Lucky you are. Oldtravler

[Molly]

Saw another Hacker rifle offered recently for only $7,500.

 http://www.davidcondon.com/

[WadePatton]

Fed Ex delivered the rifle today. The photos that were posted on gun broker did not do this rifle justice! It's a beauty with a 52 caliber bore. The pull is perfect for me. After I clean it up a bit I'm going to try a .495 ball and a denim patch. I'll let you know!
Nit Wit

let us know how it's working out.  Congrats on the purchase!

[Eddie Southgate]

Fed Ex delivered the rifle today. The photos that were posted on gun broker did not do this rifle justice! It's a beauty with a 52 caliber bore. The pull is perfect for me. After I clean it up a bit I'm going to try a .495 ball and a denim patch. I'll let you know!
Nit Wit

     .495 seems a bit small for a .52 don't you think ? I use a .490 and .015 ticking in a .50

     Eddie

[Eddie Southgate]

He was a pretty amazing guy if you stop to think about it from a difference perspective- it was. Those were different times, no internet where you could research and buy anything you needed to build literally anything. He built his guns from scratch, not parts kits.  He used old Ford axles for barrels, build his own rifling jigs, used hand-me-down files and old blacksmithing tools. He was completely self taught.

     Amen !   I have not seen a lot of Mr Martins work but I have seen some and it has all been much better than that rifle . I can't imagine him setting that nipple and drum at that angle for that hammer . One leg (lower ) of the patch box has a gap between it and the top that I can't imagine him leaving. The fore end tip looks a bit off also . Hopefully these are all due to photo angle .

   Eddie