Anyone Familiar With This Gun Builder A. Edge?

[Mule Brain]

I tell you what, this is the finest built hawken rifle I have personally handled, built like a fine watch 

Anyone know, or heard of the builder? This hawken sports Roller lock and triggers

Oh, and the middle initial is a C? I think??



 

[emmagee]

Wow that rifle is enough to make me want to learn to shoot left handed!

[BoomStick]

Al Edge out of Virginia.  One of the finest makers.  I have been fortunate to have owned a couple by him. 

https://www.aledge.com/

Beautiful gun.

[Mule Brain]

Al Edge out of Virginia.  One of the finest makers.  I have been fortunate to have owned a couple by him. 

https://www.aledge.com/

Beautiful gun.

Thanks for that info

[BoomStick]

Thanks for that info

Actually, looking at the gun further, I see the Goodien barrel and burl in the stock.  I'm guessing a 54 cal, bought from Track in November 2023...if so this one passed briefly through my ownership, but I'm not a lefty.

[Bob Roller]

That looks like something from the shops of Scotland or England and that lock is very rare.Look inside of it and see if it has a two digit date under my semicircular last name.New York rifle style.A remember the name but don't remember where he lives.Thank you for showing this remarkable rifle.
Bob Roller

[Mule Brain]

That looks like something from the shops of Scotland or England and that lock is very rare.Look inside of it and see if it has a two digit date under my semicircular last name.New York rifle style.A remember the name but don't remember where he lives.Thank you for showing this remarkable rifle.
Bob Roller

Bob, here is the inside of your lock. It appears to only have your name and USA

[Mule Brain]

A few more pics

[Bob Roller]

Thank you for pulling the lock,I have no idea when it was made but it is a rare one and I am very pleased to see how it was used.It does represent my every day standards of workmanship and shows what I thought of the buyer and myself.
Bob Roller

[mesabi]

Whew!  That's a beauty!

[Bob Roller]

My thoughts on this "Hawken"are that the workmanship is equal to that seen on the N;G;Whitmore rifle given to General Grant after the "Civil"War.I have Al Edge's contact info but no permission to give it out.I appreciate my lock and triggers being used and mentioned on this fine rifle.
Bob Roller

[Mule Brain]

My thoughts on this "Hawken"are that the workmanship is equal to that seen on the N;G;Whitmore rifle given to General Grant after the "Civil"War.I have Al Edge's contact info but no permission to give it out.I appreciate my lock and triggers being used and mentioned on this fine rifle.
Bob Roller

Hi Bob,

Al has a web page presence with his contact info as well

[whetrock]

I think this is it:

https://aledge.com/index.html

https://aledge.com/gallery.html

[Bob Roller]

I think this is it:

https://aledge.com/index.html

https://aledge.com/gallery.html

OK and thanks.Left hand locks made by me are almost as rare as a football bat.Some long rifle makers prefer to remain semi anonymous until they show their work and we had one in this area,Glen Napier who made some fine rifles but got low end locks from Dixie Gun Works which were similar to the locks used on most American rifles.I hope that my lock making has helped in upgrading lock making.
Bob Roller

[Bob Roller]

The USA with my last name started when I began sending 9 out if 10 locks and triggers to Germany.I was told about old German craftsmanship and asked why they wanted my work and I was told most of the people that did nice work were dead or very old.
I wanted the German black powder shooters to know they did not have a patent on good workmanship.The schuetzen caplocks I sent to Helmut Mohr most had the 3 screw English mechanisms in a German style lock plate that came from L&R with their hammer.
Bob Roller

[DBoone]

I hope I'm wrong and I'll have to double check but I remember someone saying that Al had passed away several months ago.  He was a great gunmaker.  I use to talk with him by phone many years ago.  Really nice man.

[BoomStick]

I did a quick search and found his obituary, July 21 2025.  A master craftsman, may he find eternal peace.

[Jim Kibler]

That's one of the better contemporary Hawken rifles I've seen.  I remember hearing the builders name, but don't recall when.