Author Topic: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?  (Read 6737 times)

Offline tippit

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 377
Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« on: July 29, 2020, 03:03:29 PM »
I have a Brant Selb 54 Cal hawken which I love.  I'm now looking for a smaller Cal Hawken used from Brant possibly but would like to know other quality makers too...tippit

Offline Bob Roller

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9301
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2020, 03:15:02 PM »
Herb Troester in Vernal.Utah has made a number of Hawken rifles but you'll have to find out
if he is still taking orders for them.
Bob Roller

Offline Rajin cajun

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 432
  • Ragin Cajun
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2020, 06:42:22 PM »
Bob Browner, he lives in Missouri ...
He is the go to guy for a Hawken.
Jim Parker at Calvary Longtifles has built Hawken for past NRA president. Hard to get him to build a Hawken but these two men are great....!


It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog !

Offline WadePatton

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5274
  • Tennessee
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2020, 07:35:52 PM »
We had a good thread listing half-a-dozen or more masters of the Hawken style not too long ago, but I cannot find it again. It must have been in OTBF, or it is no longer searchable because the OP is no longer a member, or the OP deleted it.

I'm sure most of those names will re-appear here soon.  I just thought I could find the previous listing and save some folks re-posting.
Hold to the Wind

Offline P.Bigham

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 575
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2020, 08:51:49 PM »
2nd Bob Browner. That’s who I’d pick.
" not all who wander are lost"

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 18821
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2020, 09:06:20 PM »
Bob Browner. He’s got a wait list. Louie Parker. Not sure if he’s taking orders.
Andover, Vermont

Offline madmtmike

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 88
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2020, 09:25:59 PM »
+1 for Bob Browner in St. Louis.

Offline iloco

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1029
  • Old Timer, Chilhowie, Va.
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2020, 12:22:13 AM »
John Bergman ,Tennessee  He builds a very nice  Hawken.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/flntlok
iloco

Offline MontanaFrontier86

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 109
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2020, 05:41:08 AM »
Another vote for Bob browner

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13167
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2020, 04:30:12 PM »
I'd make Don Stith or Louie Parker do it.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Marcruger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3646
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2020, 05:24:44 PM »
John Bergmann is talented at Hawken rifles, and is a very nice guy to deal with.  I'd put him on your "short list" to talk to.  God Bless,   Marc

Offline Herb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1694
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2020, 06:09:58 PM »
Herb

Offline Eric Kettenburg

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4026
    • Eric Kettenburg
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2020, 06:15:21 PM »
I'd second Mike's recommendation of Don Stith.  Also I really like the work I've seen Herb post here - I like it a LOT!
Strange women lying in ponds, distributing swords, is no basis for a system of government!

Offline Marcruger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3646
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #13 on: August 02, 2020, 01:28:42 AM »
Here's a Bergmann walnut Hawken I found a picture of. 




Offline borderdogs

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 730
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #14 on: August 02, 2020, 02:02:23 AM »
I like Herb's work a lot too
Rob

Offline gusd

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 293
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #15 on: August 02, 2020, 06:56:56 PM »
Herb or Louie Parker :)

Offline Marcruger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3646
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #16 on: August 02, 2020, 11:49:43 PM »
I haven't seen GudD display a Hawken, but he sure can build other longrifles!   :-) 

Offline redheart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 592
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #17 on: August 03, 2020, 06:56:27 AM »
D. Taylor Sapergia! :)

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12524
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #18 on: August 03, 2020, 07:37:12 PM »
Redheart:  you are very kind...much appreciated.  But I am unlikely to build another Hawken, certainly not for someone other than myself.  But the truth is, I have a really nice piece of walnut inlet for a tapered Rice barrel 1 1/8" tapering to 1" x 36" long, bandsawed to a Hawken profile...we'll see.

Taylor
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 18821
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #19 on: August 03, 2020, 11:42:35 PM »
Above is the only reason I didn’t mention Taylor. Was pretty sure he’s got a wish list lined up.
Andover, Vermont

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12524
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #20 on: August 04, 2020, 02:15:45 AM »
I'll never finish all the guns I have parts saved up for...and I keep adding to them.  I bought a Bill Large .45 cal x 42" barrel this spring and will build a Bedford Co. rifle around it...got parts coming from TOW as we speak.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline redheart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 592
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #21 on: August 04, 2020, 03:42:07 AM »
Redheart:  you are very kind...much appreciated.  But I am unlikely to build another Hawken, certainly not for someone other than myself.  But the truth is, I have a really nice piece of walnut inlet for a tapered Rice barrel 1 1/8" tapering to 1" x 36" long, bandsawed to a Hawken profile...we'll see.

Taylor
I kinda thought so Taylor, but I didn't want to see you miss out on well deserved recognition, even though I know you're not seeking it. :)

Offline porchdog48

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 120
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #22 on: August 04, 2020, 01:31:58 PM »
Taylor,
   Please post pictures of your Bedford build. I have a Large .45 barrel 3/4 atf that I have been saving for a Bedford build.
 Regards,
  Dave

Offline borderdogs

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 730
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #23 on: August 04, 2020, 05:30:54 PM »
I like Louie Parker and Taylor's Hawken rifles too. Check out Taylor's "Hawken stuff" on this forum.

As for finding a builder I would be cautious about the lead times. I have had a number of custom rifles made for me over the years both Hawken and Shilohs and have had custom work done on rifles I own, all were longer than the stated lead times. Quality takes time and I am old enough now that waiting a year or two for a custom rifle is something I would have to think about. Most custom builders I have dealt with were pretty straight forward about their lead times but even so I have had custom rifles have a 6-8 month lead time that took more than 2 years to actually get. It was worth it in the end for me I got exactly what I wanted but I had a lot of money in it that could have been used to buy an already made rifle. There are a lot of really nice rifles for sale that were made by some of the builders mentioned here that could be purchase rather than wait for one to be built. So lead time for me is something I have considered more seriously as I have gotten older. I would rather be shooting than waiting and if I were considering another custom rifle I would check out what might be available on the used market first. By no means do I mean this as a criticism of custom builders rather, the wait lists speak to the quality of the work they produce. But the wait list and lead time is something anyone wanting a custom rifle should consider seriously before putting down hard cash.
With respect,
Rob
« Last Edit: August 04, 2020, 05:35:40 PM by borderdogs »

Offline Bob Roller

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9301
Re: Who Makes Quality Hawken Rifles?
« Reply #24 on: August 04, 2020, 05:40:10 PM »
I think Taylor's version of the pistol/bag grip Hawken was an outstanding version
of a different idea among a herd of looking too much alike rifles.Whoever ordered
that one has the right idea IMHO.I hope he does live long enough to get done what he
wants to do in the gun making for himself.Several years ago I was giving strong consideration
to having Don Browm make a long range Henry for me but we used that money to help one
of our sons get a home in Texas.We are glad we could do that.At 84 I have no more interest
in having a custom rifle made nor do I have any desire to shoot a rifle in the prone position
that heaves a 550 grain bullet backed by 100 grains of high grade black powder.

Bob Roller