i need to find out when this rifle was made its a hawkens 1835 - 1870 the serial number is a492505 its a 54 calibre

[salmonslayer2005]

need it for a english project

 

[user 48679]

Welcome to the forum -

I suspect that you do not have an original Hawken rifle, since the SN you gave ( is it A492505 or 492505 ? ) isn't AFAIK an original Hawken SN.

To clarify, could you please post any information on the barrel and/or lock (pics would be best)

 

[Grenadier1758]

We are going to need some more information. What markings are stamped on your rifle? Can you post some pictures? Did you search for Hawken on this forum? There are a lot of good topics with lots of responses. I would not necessarily use our comments as documentable footnotes for your term paper.

 

[TreeMan]

Pictures pictures and a few more pictures.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Is your English project to be a report on the Original Hawken Rifles built by Jake and Sam Hawken or a description of your rifle?

 

[Cowboy]

Not going to jump out on a limb here my friend but will only add an assumption do to lack of information?

Prefix capital letter followed by a serial number smells of an Invest Arms Hawken type, like for instance, the Lyman Great Plains Rifle?

Your inquiry leads my mind in that direction without more information and lack of photos.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[salmonslayer2005]

need it for a english project

 

[salmonslayer2005]

heres the picture of the serial number

 

[hawkeye2]

The photos are a big help. You can make the markings stand out more by rubbing chalk in them before photographing. Are there any other markings?

 

[salmonslayer2005]

The photos are a big help. You can make the markings stand out more by rubbing chalk in them before photographing. Are there any other markings?

i will do that as soon as i get home would welding chalk work

 

[Grenadier1758]

We need to see all the stampings.

Do you have a stamp with PN? Next to it should be a stamp with two letters in a box.

Just from your picture, I see an InvestArms Hawken. It was made in Italy sometime between 1975 and 1985.

 

[Zonie]

I am sure your rifle is not an original Hawken built firearm. The serial number seems to indicate the gun was actually built sometime after 1970.

Are there any other markings on the gun? Letters, symbols or anything like these?
I suspect that somewhere there is a stamp that looks like a star over the letters "PN" ? If so, the gun is a reproduction, made in Italy.

 

[hawkeye2]

FWIW "welding chalk" is soapstone and yes, it'll work fine.

 

[rusty]

definitely an Investarms rifle

 

[Cowboy]

definitely an Investarms rifle

Yes, It is an Italian made muzzleloader my friend.

If it was made by Investarms, you should see a stamping of a box with a capital letter I in it.




Here’s an Investarms Hawken that I picked up at a Cabela’s coming home from Wyoming back in 2007.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Buck Conner]

I am sure your rifle is not an original Hawken built firearm. The serial number seems to indicate the gun was actually built sometime after 1970.

Your correct Zonie, if it was even close it would be in the $70K range for value.

Are there any other markings on the gun? Letters, symbols or anything like these? ...., the gun is a reproduction, made in Italy.

Your probably right. When I saw all the stampings ... didn't even consider contacting Doc White (he's busy). He has handled more originals than anyone alive.

.

 

[Cowboy]

Yes, also look for another box with two capital letters. The letters will determine the year of manufacture.

Here’s a little note book I’ve kept that lists them.

As you can see, the Italian dating system started using the capital letters starting in 1975 with the letters “AA”.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Zonie]

need it for a english project

Since your looking for information for an English project, here's a few thoughts about the rifle you have.

It's only real similarities to a real Hawken are:
it has a exposed hammer side lock on it.
It is a "half stock" rifle with the stock stopping about half way up the barrel instead of a "full stock" rifle with the wood running all the way up to the muzzle.

A few things that are different from an original Hawken are:
It has an adjustable rear sight.
It only has one barrel wedge to keep the barrel in the stock.
It has brass trigger guard and butt plate. Real Hawken rifles used steel.
Both ends of the trigger guard are screwed to the wooden stock. The trigger guard on Hawken rifles have a screw thread stud on the forward end that screws directly into the steel trigger plate.
The shape of the butt of the stock is similar but not correct for a Hawken.
It is much lighter weight than a real Hawken. The Hawken rifle often weighed between 10 and 15 pounds.

There were rifles similar to yours that existed in the 1850's although these didn't have adjustable rear sights. Many of them were made in California following the 1848 gold rush. These rifles were usually lighter in weight and used one barrel wedge to keep the barrel in place.

 

[deermanok]

Definitely looks like a Cabela's Investarms Hawkin rifle.

 

[chix2111]

Since your looking for information for an English project, here's a few thoughts about the rifle you have.

It's only real similarities to a real Hawken are:
it has a exposed hammer side lock on it.
It is a "half stock" rifle with the stock stopping about half way up the barrel instead of a "full stock" rifle with the wood running all the way up to the muzzle.

A few things that are different from an original Hawken are:
It has an adjustable rear sight.
It only has one barrel wedge to keep the barrel in the stock.
It has brass trigger guard and butt plate. Real Hawken rifles used steel.
Both ends of the trigger guard are screwed to the wooden stock. The trigger guard on Hawken rifles have a screw thread stud on the forward end that screws directly into the steel trigger plate.
The shape of the butt of the stock is similar but not correct for a Hawken.
It is much lighter weight than a real Hawken. The Hawken rifle often weighed between 10 and 15 pounds.

There were rifles similar to yours that existed in the 1850's although these didn't have adjustable rear sights. Many of them were made in California following the 1848 gold rush. These rifles were usually lighter in weight and used one barrel wedge to keep the barrel in place.

Also, the barrel is blued, not browned.