Here is the story. Several years ago Don Stith asked Roger Sells to build him a Hawken. Don was thinking a full stock flintlock as near to an original full stock flintlock as Don's fancy had it. It seems that Roger and Don were pretty good friends so Roger took up the task. I'm not sure about all the components. Some may have been provided by Don, some made by Roger and some may be acquired from commercial sources. I do believe that the butt plate is in two pieces which suggests it's not a commercially available item (?). Don't yet know the barrel, lock and trigger makers but have a note to Roger requesting the info. My husband and I met up with Roger at the CLA show maybe 3 years ago and picked it up to bring home to Don. Don was thrilled with it and sat on his couch admiring it the entire time we were there. The fit and finish of this rifle tops anything I have EVER seem. No, it's not a bling. I think in terms that Roger uses he would call it "graceful".
Sometime after Don's wife died (I think) I posted a "wanted ad" here for a Roger Sells rifle. A day or so later Don called and asked if a Hawken by Roger would do. I knew where that conversation was going and a day or so later we went over and picked it up. It must have been mid to late year 2020 as we were all in our masks and I put the check in the back of our SUV. Don picked it up and put the rifle down in its place. We closed the gate, waved and drove home. In later conversations with Don I assured him I would take care of it until he was better and able to shoot it. Unfortunately that day never came but we spoke of it often and our desire to see him regain a strong measure of health. We have never shot it and maybe never will. A side note. It has no flash hole liner. Also the guard is more "late" Hawken that "early". Not sure what that is but I sure like it better the way it is.
So now we have ourselves two works by Roger Sells. If you don't know Roger then you are unaware of the man we feel is the "best of the best". Now if we can just get him to replicate an Ambrose Lawing for us our collection would be complete.
