S Hawken coming up at auction - IS IT REAL???

[gibster]

Looking at proxibid and saw a listing for a S Hawken rifle that is coming up at auction.  To me, the estimates seem low for the real deal.  Here is the link:
https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=8423&aid=68207&lid=16956960&rts=/asp/searchadvanced_i.asp%23searchid%3D11495330%26type%3Dlot%26search%3Dpercussion%26sort%3Drelevance%26length%3D25%26start%3D76%26refine%3D%26nc%3D1372549088298#
You may have to cut and past to view.  Just curious as to whether this is a copy or a the real deal.  I have no connection to the auction or to the rifle.

[JTR]

It sounds like they're claiming it as the real deal with a sales estimate between 8 and 12 thousand bucks.
I've never heard of the auction company, but know that some post low estimates to entice you to bid with the hope of getting a good deal.
John

[Don Stith]

Picture too poor to tell much
 I'd bet  mY Brittany spaniels are older. Might be worth a drive to the auction site to be sure

[oldarcher]

I have to agree, it seems very unlikely that this is the real deal. However strange things happen, I once saw a S. Hawken for sale at a Gun Show in Las Vegas for $1500, but part of the name was cut out for a sight, and it was really used. I have a hard time believing that this rifle is actually for real because it is in such good condition, looks to be museum quality. I would think that if I owned this rifle I would sell it through a much more well known house and would provide substantial provenance with the rifle, at least inspection by a qualified Hawken expert Like Don, and I would want more money for it. I would love to have a piece of History but I don't think this is for me....

[JTR]

Just because the estimates are between $8,000 and $12,000 doesn't mean the bidding will stop there, especially if it's a good gun. Then, tack on the 25% buyer premium, and it could sell for $30K or more in a heartbeat!
John

[eddillon]

Confuscius say One fuzzy picture is better than a thousand words.  Caveat Emptor.

[Don Stith]

I heard there may be other views of the rifles in this auction. Any idea  how to see them?. I just get the one fuzzy picture of the lock side.

[Mike L]

Don, Here is the link I used.
Mike

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/18327378_plains-percussion-rifle-s-hawken

[Hungry Horse]

Even the "Better pictures" wouldn't convince me to part with that kind of money. It looks like a restock to me. Some of the metal has the proper wear, and tear, but the wood looks way too good for a gun of this age. instead of the metal standing proud due to wood shrinkage, the wood is standing proud on the triggerguard extension.  Several metal parts seem to have different degrees of age, and the finish on the triggerguard isn't heavily worn as most plains rifles depict. JMHO.

                  Hungry Horse

[Don Stith]

Thanks Mike.

[T.C.Albert]

What are the stamped letters just ahead of the snail there on the barrel?
something something and co. ? Are they a barrel maker used by Hawken? And is that a normal place for such a barrel stamping?
tc

[rich pierce]

I don't know enough to comment on its authenticity but they were not factory guns; variations are to be expected.

[DaveM]

The side flat appears to say "REYNOLDS & Co."

[eddillon]

Google search for Reynolds & Co. brought up this link:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.angelfire.com%2Foh3%2Fcivilwarantiques%2Ffeb2010webcat.html&ei=Ez_TUdCyGcTHiwKt3oDYCQ&usg=AFQjCNFcHcEqQbCK74m5zaU32L_Hp3X1pw&sig2=JA9qZiDhjt1B7metF2PZuQ&bvm=bv.48705608,d.cGE

Reynolds, Plant and Hotchkiss small revolver.

[eddillon]

Another link referring to a J.B. Reynolds barrel:
http://archive.org/stream/gunmaker00satt/gunmaker00satt_djvu.txt
To see it, on your key board, control f.  Type reynolds in the search box. 
Gardner's Small Arms Makers, page 161.  Jacob B. Reynolds gun barrel maker, Steubenville Ohio 1846-1851 .

[JTR]

The side flat appears to say "REYNOLDS & Co."

I'm impressed that you could decipher that stamping!

John

[DaveM]

John I was curious about it - seemed like an odd place for a stamp.  I thought maybe it said "anniversary edition" 

Interesting gun though, really nice condition.