Hawken Builders?

[Smokey Plainsman]

Who out there currently makes the BEST J&S Hawken reproductions?

Not looking for no-name builders and don’t care about cost or lead times.

Looking for a caplock .54 and do not want an Italian repro (BTDT).

Thanks,

Smokey

[Dale Halterman]

I believe Don Stith is the one you want to talk to.

http://www.donstith.com/

[Craig Wilcox]

I am currently building Don's "St. Louis Rifle", a full-stock J & S Hawken.  The rifle is as period correct as any I've seen. .54 cal
Don is currently ill, but will respond to an email.

[DAV-AZ]

John Bergman builds a nice rifle, prices his work reasonably and is a stand up guy.  He doesn't seem to have a website except his Flicker page.  Google him and take a look at all the innovative work he displays on Flicker.  I bet you will be surprised.

[wattlebuster]

Herb on this site makes some fine looking hawken rifles

[Taylorz1]

Brent Selb and Louis Parker come to mind

[MontanaFrontier86]

Bob Browner makes beautiful hawken rifles. If interested I can PM you his number. He does not get online.

[gusd]

Herb, Selb, Parker All great.
Gus

[rich pierce]

Bob Browner makes beautiful hawken rifles. If interested I can PM you his number. He does not get online.

Among the top 3 for sure. Louie Parker is another. These guys don’t do “generic”. They copy specific originals.

[WadePatton]

https://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2010/03/j-hawken-by-louie-parker.html

https://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2014/12/hawken-by-louie-parker.html

There are a couple of Hawkens by Mr. Parker.

Herb shares his stuff here all the time, easy to find.

Nothing against the other guys noted, I just didn't find works of their at the blog in my quick scans.  I trust that all these fellows do fine work, and have seen a lot of it.  I learned a lot about how different those guns actually are by reading Herb's posts here and watching Hershel House build one on video. Good luck picking one.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The answer to the op's question is Louis Parker.

[redheart]

The answer to the op's question is Louis Parker.

Taylor,
I know for a fact that you could build one just like Louie Parker. Just Sayin.

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thank you, friends. Much to chew on and research.

[Justin Urbantas]

Don't care about cost or lead times? Give me $200,000 and 10 years, and I'll make you the best Hawken ever built.

[Daryl]

1/2 down to get started, Justin?

[madmtmike]

+1 Brant Selb

[bama]

Bob Browner is the man you need to talk to. Louie does great work but I don't know if you could talk him into doing a rifle, if you could he would be my choice. Bob builds Hawken's full time, owns an original Hawken so he diffinately knows what they are supposed to  look like. Herb is another builder that has been a student of the Hawken rifle and does great work.

[jgraham1]

You might try Doc White of Roosevelt, UT who owns White Muzzle Loader.  He works with Carl Walker to build rifles.  They are the former owners of the Green River Rifle Works.  Great builder.

Jerry

[WadePatton]

Mr. Plainsman has moved on, he bought an Ohio rig.   But this thread might help others find just the right builder for their own St. Looie gun.

I recommend Hershel's video on making one to the builder types who haven't studied these guns, they are different for sure.

[Smokey Plainsman]

Mr. Plainsman has moved on, he bought an Ohio rig.   But this thread might help others find just the right builder for their own St. Looie gun.

I recommend Hershel's video on making one to the builder types who haven't studied these guns, they are different for sure.

Yes, I did in fact. It came along at just the right time and I luckily found it. The gun funds are well and surely sapped now. But, a custom Hawken is a long term future goal for me, and I am glad this thread might help direct others on their path. This is such a great forum and I appreciate you all!