Thompson Center Hawken question

MarylandML · Nov 5, 2022

I have been looking for a muzzleloader for some time now. Stopped in my local shop as I usually do twice a month and saw that he had a flintlock rifle on the rack. It is a .45 Caliber Thompson Center Hawken with a 29"x15/16" barrel at least that is what is said on the tag. It is very clean inside and out, I was even allowed to look down it with a borescope. Previous owner said it had been fired 15 times before he won a T/C Big Bore .58 at a Sporting Event and never used it again. I would give it a 9/10 only because its been fired before. It sparks well, and has no areas of rusting. The shop is asking $500 for it and I wanted to know if it is too much ? I have taken interest in a .45 Caliber Flintlock Rifle and T/C rifles I really only see in .50 caliber. I assume I can buy other flintlock barrels in the future for this rifle to go up or down in caliber. Thanks to all who reply.

Uncle Miltie · Nov 5, 2022

If it is in nice condition $500 is a good price, especially for a flintlock.

PathfinderNC · Nov 5, 2022

Interesting question that I am wondering about as well. I am assembling a T/C Hawken 50 cal from an unopened kit box from 1982 for my neighbor!

deerstalkert · Nov 5, 2022

you could part it out on ebay and make money at 500.00.
if a 9 out of 10 is accurate grab it. they aren't making them anymore.
you can find barrels on ebay quite regular. they will cost you i/2 to 2/3 the price of that gun. you can get a smooth bore barrel from brucehh here.
offer them 450.00

deermanok · Nov 5, 2022

I don't think it's over priced.

bubba.50 · Nov 5, 2022

I'll have to go against the grain here. They'll likely get it but, it's too much.

nhmoose · Nov 6, 2022

They sell here in NE from 450-700 depending on condition. They are a better gun than a CVA or traditions IMHO

Must be nice to live where they sell cheaper.

I HATE AUTO CORRECT

TDM · Nov 6, 2022

It’s hard for me to believe that they’re selling for such these days, but that’s the way it is. If it’s in good shape it would make a nice rifle for you. As deerstalkert said, try to get it for $450 if possible.

MarylandML · Nov 6, 2022

Thanks for the replies I will definitely try to haggle a bit next week when the shop opens again.

RIDE-RED350R · Nov 6, 2022

IMO $500 may be a tick high, but then again it's a Hawken flinter in 45. Not the most common configuration to find by any stretch.

Last winter I started looking for a nice 50cal percussion Hawken. Bid on a couple on GB only to have the 15 minute rule get played both times extending the auctions 3-4 more hours. Both ended up selling at least $100 over my max bid of $400. Shortly thereafter my LGS happened to take in an older Hawken. It was mechanically sound with a good bore. Just a couple minor nicks on the stock from use. I paid $425 for it.

I'm sure prices can and do vary based on location. But I think generally you won't find too many Hawkens in good order for less than about $450 any more. Add a bit more for less common configurations.

These old TCs seems to be gaining something of a collectors market. Admittedly, I'm sort of on board. One year ago I had one ML, my Renegade 50 that I bought new in 1996. Bout that time I found myself desiring to start building a small collection of TC models I liked back in the day. So I added the Hawken percussion, a PA Hunter flinter, a New Englander percussion for my 15 year old daughter and a Renegade percussion for my 18 year old son. Wish they were still in business and offering the wide variety they did back in the 1990s. I fancy adding a White Mountain Carbine, a Big Boar and a Renegade 54 still.

If you like that Hawken, I wouldn't let $50-$100 in price keep you from it. They aren't getting any cheaper.

Notchy Bob · Nov 6, 2022

I think it should be worth $500. I don't get out as much as a lot of you fellows, but I've been sort of looking around on the web. There are a number of T/C Hawkens out there, but under close scrutiny, a lot of them have issues. These rifles are a lot like deer... When you are just out walking in the woods in the off season, they are everywhere, but then you go out looking for them and you wonder where they went.

I think Ebay sellers are ruining things for the rest of us, buying complete and shootable rifles, disassembling them, and selling the parts, when a lot of people would just want to reassemble them as a complete rifle again. A lot of good rifles have been lost this way, all for a few dollars of pocket change for some cannibal.

Grrr...

Anyway, I think the rifle described in the original post would be a square deal for the asking price, and if the OP can talk the seller down even a little, he'll be doing very well.

Notchy Bob

RIDE-RED350R · Nov 6, 2022

Notchy Bob said:
I think it should be worth $500. I don't get out as much as a lot of you fellows, but I've been sort of looking around on the web. There are a number of T/C Hawkens out there, but under close scrutiny, a lot of them have issues. These rifles are a lot like deer... When you are just out walking in the woods in the off season, they are everywhere, but then you go out looking for them and you wonder where they went.

I think Ebay sellers are ruining things for the rest of us, buying complete and shootable rifles, disassembling them, and selling the parts, when a lot of people would just want to reassemble them as a complete rifle again. A lot of good rifles have been lost this way, all for a few dollars of pocket change for some cannibal.

Grrr...

Anyway, I think the rifle described in the original post would be a square deal for the asking price, and if the OP can talk the seller down even a little, he'll be doing very well.

Notchy Bob

Very much agree with "parting out" adding upward pressure on prices. Very similar phenomenon with old Honda three wheelers that I've been into for years. They used to be dirt cheap because nobody wanted them. Then all of the sudden they started getting popular. And not long after that people started parting out perfectly good running machines or machines that were complete but with relatively minor issues. I have a couple of the most desireable models. 15 years ago about the most I could expect to get for one if I decided to sell was about $3g. Now, that same machine would likely sell pretty easily for $6g or more.

There is truth to the effect of "parting out" you mention... Absolutely

smo · Nov 6, 2022

Inflation…. Everything is going up.

If I remember correctly,TC flintlocks we’re selling “new” for $700 just before they stopped production…or shortly after.

So a $500 used TC might not be that bad of a deal…

The last TC’s I bought were a .45 Hawken,.50 Hawken both percussion…
And a .50 flintlock Renegade…

All for $625, but that’s been 15 years or so ago..

What a deal!

dwarvenchef · Nov 6, 2022

I’d have looked at it mighty hard, not one you see very often and if in top shape I’d be in trouble with the missis

Peregrine · Nov 6, 2022

Buy it at $500. 3 years from now you can sell it for $800 and nobody will believe you got it for $500. Go for it and don't look back. There will never be another TC built you can buy for $500.

Hermit Tim · Nov 6, 2022

deerstalkert said:
you could part it out on ebay and make money at 500.00.
if a 9 out of 10 is accurate grab it. they aren't making them anymore.
you can find barrels on ebay quite regular. they will cost you i/2 to 2/3 the price of that gun. you can get a smooth bore barrel from brucehh here.
offer them 450.00

Never been to a gunshop in my life where the price on the tag was the price. It is worth it but knock him down as far as you can. Good luck.

MSW · Nov 7, 2022

i agree. Paying $500 for a decent T/C is probably a pretty fair investment. if properly cares for, this rifle will last several generations, and can provide surprising accuracy.

powdermeasure · Nov 7, 2022

Get your rathole money out of the back part of your billfold and buy that rifle. I have a percussion Hawken with a Green Mountain .54, one turn in 66. It is one of the most accurate rifles I've ever shot,I wouldn't take $1000 for it.

stephenprops1 · Nov 7, 2022

RIDE-RED350R said:
IMO $500 may be a tick high, but then again it's a Hawken flinter in 45. Not the most common configuration to find by any stretch.

Last winter I started looking for a nice 50cal percussion Hawken. Bid on a couple on GB only to have the 15 minute rule get played both times extending the auctions 3-4 more hours. Both ended up selling at least $100 over my max bid of $400. Shortly thereafter my LGS happened to take in an older Hawken. It was mechanically sound with a good bore. Just a couple minor nicks on the stock from use. I paid $425 for it.

I'm sure prices can and do vary based on location. But I think generally you won't find too many Hawkens in good order for less than about $450 any more. Add a bit more for less common configurations.

These old TCs seems to be gaining something of a collectors market. Admittedly, I'm sort of on board. One year ago I had one ML, my Renegade 50 that I bought new in 1996. Bout that time I found myself desiring to start building a small collection of TC models I liked back in the day. So I added the Hawken percussion, a PA Hunter flinter, a New Englander percussion for my 15 year old daughter and a Renegade percussion for my 18 year old son. Wish they were still in business and offering the wide variety they did back in the 1990s. I fancy adding a White Mountain Carbine, a Big Boar and a Renegade 54 still.

If you like that Hawken, I wouldn't let $50-$100 in price keep you from it. They aren't getting any cheaper.

I was able to find a T/C Hawken 45 caliber percussion rifle at a trade show in Lodi, Ohio, two years ago for $250.00. It is in excellent condition.

RIDE-RED350R · Nov 7, 2022

Deals are are there for sure, but they are getting fewer and farther between. You got a great deal

Since I've been looking around over the last year or so, the prices right here on this forum are usually the best that I see.

Thompson Center Hawken question

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