Author Topic: JK Hawken .54 Extra Fancy (Read 4542 times)

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #25 on:** December 23, 2025, 11:06:33 PM »

Done!

AZshot · « **Reply #26 on:** December 24, 2025, 02:17:12 AM »

I like the case coloring looking treatment on the lock and wedge plates.

Martin S. · « **Reply #27 on:** December 24, 2025, 03:24:03 AM »

Can you tell us what kind of finish you finally ended up with?

I saw you stripped it and refinished it. What did you use for the final finish?

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #28 on:** December 24, 2025, 05:21:17 AM »

Quote from: Martin S. on December 24, 2025, 03:24:03 AM

Can you tell us what kind of finish you finally ended up with?

I saw you stripped it and refinished it. What did you use for the final finish?

Satin finish spar urethane.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #29 on:** December 24, 2025, 05:38:22 AM »

Rifle lost weight just like the first one did. Started at 7 pounds 11.8 ounces in the white and finished out at 7 pounds 10.9 ounces.

Gtrubicon · « **Reply #30 on:** December 24, 2025, 08:05:36 AM »

Nice rifle! We have the same garage doors.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #31 on:** December 26, 2025, 11:07:17 PM »

Me Christmas Eve before antique finish

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #32 on:** December 26, 2025, 11:13:21 PM »

Today after antique finish. Going for the Kit Carson or Bridger rifle look with my twist.
By the way that's an original powder horn!

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #33 on:** December 28, 2025, 12:40:33 AM »

One more inspirational image I made.

That's my JK Hawken but with the barrel everybody wanted

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #34 on:** December 28, 2025, 01:00:30 AM »

Bad timing for my JK Hawken

Image I created

taterbug · « **Reply #35 on:** December 28, 2025, 07:49:35 PM »

Dan, you said earlier that you had some bubbling when 'mixing' finish layers, and had to start over? Just wondering if you could give more details about which products did not get along? If I missed it in your posts, I'll go back and re-read.

Hopefully it is something you can share to help someone else possibly avoid in the future.

I feel it would definitely NOT be a slam against any single product, just a caution to avoid mixing two of them.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #36 on:** December 28, 2025, 09:19:46 PM »

Just make sure everything is completely dry before applying the top top top coat of spar urethane. I use a combination of things to get custom colors and depth that changes when you hold the gun in the sunlight.

Iron Nitrate or Aquafortis
Homer Danglers stain 4 colors
Shellac
Kibler's stock finish
Helmsman Spar Urethane
Lemon oil furniture polish
Gunstock wax

The exact sequence varies from stock to stock type of wood porosity and what it tells me it wants. I got in a rush that time when I knew better. Truth is I was substituting in a neighborhood card game with a bunch of old widow women and I wouldn't think of letting them down!

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #37 on:** December 31, 2025, 09:07:37 PM »

Shot it for fun this morning at 50 yards. My eyes are not good enough for load development but could sqeek by with some hunting. Corrective lenses aren't getting me there but a peep sight would likely do the trick. Here's a target but it doesn't mean much.

Daryl · « **Reply #38 on:** December 31, 2025, 09:17:06 PM »

2 " flyers", it happens.
With my .69 would cut nice holes like that.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #39 on:** December 31, 2025, 09:20:14 PM »

The flyers were the last two shots...

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #40 on:** December 31, 2025, 10:44:26 PM »

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #41 on:** January 01, 2026, 03:46:06 PM »

This is my favorite contemporary Hawken.

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #42 on:** January 01, 2026, 08:13:08 PM »

I think you did a great job finishing this and we’re happy to hear it pleases you so much. This is a big reason why we do this stuff. Thanks for all the support.

Daryl · « **Reply #43 on:** January 01, 2026, 10:22:57 PM »

It has VERY similar wear patterns to my Beck rifle, all done by handling for a number of years, by our now late friend Leatherbelly and me.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #44 on:** January 03, 2026, 03:27:45 PM »

Quote from: Daryl on January 01, 2026, 10:22:57 PM

It has VERY similar wear patterns to my Beck rifle, all done by handling for a number of years, by our now late friend Leatherbelly and me.

Thank you Daryl! That's thats exatly the look I was trying for. This gun will be on display at the Alabama show Jan 15, 16, 17th come down and take a look and visit with me about it!

Daryl · « **Reply #45 on:** January 03, 2026, 08:17:54 PM »

Wont be able to make the show, but thanks for the invite, Daniel.

doulos · « **Reply #46 on:** January 03, 2026, 09:03:03 PM »

Awesome looking color. Also looks like it will be a shooter. We are all at the mercy of our “old eyes”
Really came out nice.

doulos · « **Reply #47 on:** January 03, 2026, 09:56:41 PM »

Another note about the Kibler Hawkens. They seem to be much lighter than other kits. I have a Stith Hawken that finishes out at about 11 lbs. And thats with a .58 caliber barrel. From what I remember I think Jim Kibler said his .58 is less than 8lbs. I think .54 would be the caliber I would stick with if I decide to pull the trigger on one of these.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #48 on:** January 03, 2026, 11:55:05 PM »

Quote from: doulos on January 03, 2026, 09:56:41 PM

Another note about the Kibler Hawkens. They seem to be much lighter than other kits. I have a Stith Hawken that finishes out at about 11 lbs. And thats with a .58 caliber barrel. From what I remember I think Jim Kibler said his .58 is less than 8lbs. I think .54 would be the caliber I would stick with if I decide to pull the trigger on one of these.

I just finished up a Kibler in .58 before this rifle at 7 pounds 5 ounces. Standard maple no inlays no patchbox.

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=87047.0

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #49 on:** January 05, 2026, 03:13:32 AM »

Quote from: doulos on January 03, 2026, 09:03:03 PM

Awesome looking color. Also looks like it will be a shooter. We are all at the mercy of our “old eyes”
Really came out nice.

Glad you like the color, there's absolutely no black paint on this gun. I accidentally discovered by positioning my glasses down a bit on the bridge of my nose I can see the sights better. No optometrist in 20 odd years bothered to fit me properly!

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Author Topic: JK Hawken .54 Extra Fancy (Read 4542 times)