Hawken Flint tang

[borderdogs]

Hi Guys,
My next build will probably be a Hawken flint in .58 not going to start it for a little while I have a lot going on right now. Problems with my business will keep me busy for a while plus I am still working on a rusted barrel. But I thought I would get some ideas on the treatment of the tang for the new project. It's a long flint tang without a hooked breech. The one I have is straight 6" long so I can do a lot to the shank in this form. I remember Rich Pierce posted a picture of a straight tang that  had tapered to a rounded point a while back. I was thinking of just rounding it but thought I would see what the forum members might suggest.
Thanks,
Rob

[Daryl]

Good project, Rob. Not sure what Taylor's last flint Hawken looked like for the tang - I'll check it out.
Sorry - don't have any top-down pictures, but shapes show.

[Bob Roller]

Seeing as how that surviving "Flintlock Hawken"are as rare as a football bat I would
think that whatever you like and is not hard to inlet would work.
Bob Roller

[flinchrocket]

My personal opinion is to shape the tang like the ones with a hooked breech. I guess you would call that a beaver tail tang. Though there are no known flint Hawken rifles, I think there are some percussion guns that don’t have a hooked breech that used the standard plug with brazed bolster and beaver tail tang.

[smylee grouch]

If I remember right, there is at least one earlier Hawken mountain rifle pictured in Jim Gordon's book with a semi-pointed tail on the tang. Of course the Hawken bros. did make flintlock rifles but whether or not they made any in what is considered a "Mountain Rifle" I don't know. I have heard there is at least one in a private collection.

[Daryl]

Must be one full stock with this cheek piece or Taylor would not have built it - imho.

[borderdogs]

The search engine isn't working on the forum when I went to check. But didn't Taylor shape the long tang on one of his Hawken rifle with dished shape along the tang length rather than straight?
Rob

[Frank]

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_414955

[rsells]

Borderdogd.
About a year ago I put together an early Hawken flint for Don Stith.  He was coming out with a component parts set of a rifle he owned at that time and wanted a rifle made from his parts.  It is a converted flint with a straight tang.  His hardware is hand forged like the original rifle.  The rifle I made for him had a straight taper barrel and walnut.  Neat rifle and felt great when shouldered. Don's parts set is great. If you will send me your email address I will send you some photographs.  I couldn't get them to work on the forum. I am going to build one for myself as soon as I get a chance to do the build.  Hope this will be of help.
                                                                                         Roger Sells                                                                             

                                                                                           

[RAT]

PM sent... I'm interested in photos. Of the contemporary rifle... yes. But also any info or photos of the original.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I've done a couple of flint Hawken rifles, some half-stocked, and some full.  I would steer toward the full stocked rifle and keep it slim, with a Tennessee cheek piece and a straight long tang.  Be sure to file draft along the length of the tang, and the end can be either rounded or spear shaped.  A flint tang is appropriate, rather than a standing breech with a break-off, or hooked breech.  I'll see if I can find a picture...

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Here's a couple pictures...







the picture with two tangs has the tang supplied by Don Stith's full stocked flint Hawken parts set, this one from a finished rifle, polished and case hardened.  The other tang is a blank going into another rifle, and the finished picture is the same tang.

[borderdogs]

Thanks Taylor,
The tang I have is from Don too. I have time to figure out what I will do and your pictures help. I thought I remember you shaping the sides of the tang in your Hawken stuff I couldn't get that up to check last night.
Rob