Here is my first scratch build. First a big thank you to Herb for encouragement to start. He inspired me to get started and his enthusiasm for building was a big motivator. I am a Hawken fan and this rifle is built from plans I believe are Don Stith's. I knocked out the rifle in 60 days, then took a hiatus to finish the final shaping, taking maybe 3 months of limited time to do it. Building the basic gun was fun and fast, but the final stock shaping intimidated me to point of taking a 3 year break until I got past the wall and plunged in to finish. I followed the blueprints as closely as I could, with some deviations from historically correct features, such as using round bottom rifling. As important as it was to stay inside the lines, I didn't want to get caught in the details while learning a new set of skills. In the interim of building I was blessed to examine the Carson Hawken in Santa Fe, Modena's rifle in Glorietta and maybe a dozen other rifles of J&S and Sam handiwork. Hands on examination is important to anyone attempting to channel the master's work in whatever school inspires you.
Rice barrel, 1-60 twist, six groove round bottom rifling, 36" long, and .50 caliber. Davis lock and triggers. The wood came from Tiger Hunt. Metal parts from Muzzle Loader Builder Supply and Track of the Wolf. I made the ramrod pipes, the ramrod, and front sight. The finish is a simple asphaltum artist oil paint with heat bodied linseed oil topcoat from Woodfinishing Enterprises. I've put maybe 30 rounds through it, but haven't had the time to sit down and work out loads and adjust the sights. But with "out of the box" sights it hits maybe a foot to the right and that much low at a hundred yards. What a feeling when the very first shot hit the steel.
Thanks Herb.
Kevin
