Mountain Arms Hawken

[Longone]

Just had an opportunity to look at a Mountain Arms Hawken in 54 cal. From what I read here it was the original company before changing hands and being called Ozark Mountain Arms. The pics I’ve seen here all seem to have a steel nose cap, this one appears to have a pewter cap. When we pulled the barrel I was expecting to see a number or perhaps initials from the assembler, there were none. The forend did have three round areas about 1/4” around at the nose cap, could that be how the cap was poured from inside the barrel channel?
It is an 8 groove barrel, might anyone know the most likely maker ? Overall it’s a nice rifle with a clean bore.

Thank you, Longone

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

When one pours a pewter nose cap, one often drills and countersinks several holes into the barrel channel.  These anchor the nose cap to the wood.  Nose caps are not poured from inside the channel.

[Longone]

Thank you for that information. With that being the case then this Mountain Arms Hawken has a pewter  nose cap. I would guess it’s an early production rifle with them changing over to cast steel parts as production increased.

[Roger B]

Cast pewter nosecaps were popular on Hawkens in the 70s & 80s, so I don't think you can make any inferences from that characteristic. You might look at the bottom of the barrel & see if it is dated. Ozark Mt. Arms made good rifles from good parts back in the day. I hope you thoroughly enjoy yours.
Roger B.

[Sequatchie Rifle]

They are excellent rifles. I have an Ozark Mountain in .58 cal.