Butt plate screw location for Plains/Hawken rifle?

[Ky-Flinter]

Work is slowly progressing on my version of a plains rifle.  I've looked again thru my books on the subject and also tried some searches here, but I haven't been able to locate a picture to show the location of the butt plate screws.

So what is correct?  For the return along the comb, in the middle or more forward?  For the vertical part of the plate, in the middle or more toward the toe?

Thanks,

-Ron

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I checked out photos of several dozen Hawken rifles, both plains and sporting, and for the plains rifles, the screw for the butt plate return is anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 the way back from the forward edge...1/3 is common.  For the screw in the crescent, around 1/3 up from the toe.  Both screws should be filed off flush with the butt plate.

[Swampwalker]

Ron; Go to the Cody Museum website, go the the digital gun collection, and do a search for Hawken rifles.  They have 8 or 10 Hawken rifles, and have top and bottom views showing the screw placement, as well as stock profiles, etc.   You can enlarge the views to get a detailed look.  Studying these photos is very helpful to get the right shape and feel of the one you're building.