D. T. Dodds half stock flintlock hawken

[MedicMike3762]

Hey guys, been wanting a half stock flint gun since I got into BP recently. I personally feel like this combo is the best of all worlds! The flintlock paired with a hook breach, in my very new opinion it is a perfect combo. The ease of cleaning with a removable barrel and the ability to use with out having to locate percussion caps. Anyway I got to looking and was able to find this nice looking, dare I say “hawken”. The top of the barrel is D T Dodds. I couldn’t find any other marks on the bottom of the barrel so I don’t know who made that? It is a 1” straight barrel in .54 cal slow twist my guess is 1-66 or so. It’s also 36” long with the breach plug. There are 10 lands and grooves in the bore of that helps ID the barrel? Lock and double set triggers are very nice and are made by a company called longs locks Denver. Not sure about them either? Stock is full length bedded.

Over all I’m really happy with it and excited to get out and shoot her and plan on giving a full range report when I do!

If anyone has any additional info to add about who made the barrel, the story with longs locks, or a little info on D T Dodds would be great! From the quick google search it seems he was a well respected builder. I would really love to know when it was made but I fear without finding a date on the gun I may never know! Here are some pics any thoughts or comments are welcome!

Mike

 

[MedicMike3762]

And a couple more.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
I believe that is David Dodds who used to live in Seligsgrove, PA . David died some years ago and was one of the best contemporary makers, particularly making close copies of original guns. No one could make a better Reading rifle than David.

dave

 

[William Sublette]

Sweet rifle!

 

[Mtman725]

That shines,if it shoots half as good as it looks and sounds,you found a great one.

 

[ShootistJack]

It sure is nice looking.
I saw a video that included instructions for setting the crescent buttstock just above the bicep and NOT onto the shoulder. And with the gun really coming across the chest. If you drew a straight from your target back to where you're standing, you'd have both feet on that line, maybe the forward foot with toes just touching the line.

 

[frankie]

And a couple more.

Very very nice. You are fortunate to have that. Love the wood and metal patina

 

[BJHabermehl]

Hi,
I believe that is David Dodds who used to live in Seligsgrove, PA . David died some years ago and was one of the best contemporary makers, particularly making close copies of original guns. No one could make a better Reading rifle than David.

dave

Dave did build some Hawken type rifles, I remember speaking with him about it. He was explaining some architecture points to me about the lock panels. BJH

 

[MedicMike3762]

Wanted to say thank you to all who chimes in with info on Dodds and the gun! I took the rifle down to the Hawken classic which was only about 9 miles from the house, and got some really good info and even got to shoot it!

When I got there I went down to the range and put about 8 rounds down range and took away a few things. First I need some .530 RB I had .535s that were a tad tight. Next the ignition speed was lightning fast! I had several people comment on how quick ignition was so that was great! Rifle handles great and will become a mainstay in my collection!

Next I went walking about looking to get a couple small little things for my shooting bag and ran into a couple gentlemen who were inquiring about the rifle and actually knew Mr. Dodds! From what I gather from talking to others is Mr. Dodds started building in the late 70s. The lock and triggers were made by Ron Long out of Denver and he sold his tooling in the early 80s. So this is just speculation but I think this would be an early Dodds rifle, and after reading what I could find about Mr Dodds he is very highly regarded in the community and among rifle builders. This rifle is not perfect and has a couple visible mistakes that were very skillfully fixed by Dodds, but that is what I think is cool! I feel this Dodds rifle is an early rifle built by a modern “master/artist” and it shows that even the greats start somewhere and even the greats make mistakes. For that reason I like it even more!

P.S. the hawken classic was awesome and there were some really really nice guns on display!

 

[tnlonghunter]

That's just gorgeous. Must admit I'm a little jealous.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Wanted to say thank you to all who chimes in with info on Dodds and the gun! I took the rifle down to the Hawken classic which was only about 9 miles from the house, and got some really good info and even got to shoot it!

When I got there I went down to the range and put about 8 rounds down range and took away a few things. First I need some .530 RB I had .535s that were a tad tight. Next the ignition speed was lightning fast! I had several people comment on how quick ignition was so that was great! Rifle handles great and will become a mainstay in my collection!

P.S. the hawken classic was awesome and there were some really really nice guns on display!

Those three rooms of Hawken, Gemmer and other Missouri gunmakers was one spectacular display. More Hawken rifles on display than the display at the Cody Museum, and far better access to view and admire them. Not mention the people there to answer any questions about them.

I hope you got to speak with some members of the Gemmer Muzzle Loading Gun Club. Those were the range officers at the firing line. I was there too and spent more than my fair share of the time at the rifle range.