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Dimples

32 Cal
Joined
Jul 21, 2022
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
New York
I know this belonged to my grandfather and my dad owned it after him. Unfortunately, it was in a house fire and my dad kept it in the garage for years and that is where I just found it. Everyone who know anything about it has unfortunately passed away. Any help is greatly appreciated. It needs a lot of TLC. I know there are a few gun restoration places in the area.
 

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At first blush it looks like a Thompson Center Hawken. The fire did a real job on it. The rust is pretty bad and it is hard to tell if the stock could be restored. If you spend to have it restored it will probably cost way more than it is worth on the market. I also understand the importance for sentimental reasons though.

Do the lock and trigger work? Is the bore also badly rusted? Parts are available on eBay and other places but would cost more than purchasing a good used TC Hawken. You could clean it up and just keep it as a wall hanger too if it is too far gone.
 
IF it can even be 'restored' (and that's a BIG 'IF') it would cost about 4 times what it'd be worth. If it has sentimental value clean it up best you can & hang it on the wall.

The lock 'might' possibly be cleaned up enough to be usable but would at a minimum need a new mainspring and sear-arm spring. Likewise, the triggers might be usable but also would likely need a new spring. IF you could even get it out the breechplug might be worth a few bucks. And all the brass pieces could probably be cleaned up & sold.
 
considering that I've seen t/c Hawkens (your rifle) for sale recently in the $350-500 range it wouldn't make sense to pay to restore it. For a wall hanger the metal could be cleaned up but the stock .....(?) . What is your time worth to restore a rifle that is considered semi-traditional? Your rifle is Most likely from the 70's maybe 80's. You could purchase a used one as they show up frequently for sale on this forum. While not the original piece, you would be keeping Grampa's and your Dad's muzzloading spirit alive and have something nice to look at.
 
Yes a good restoration job it is not has bad has it looks , I have restored guns and rifles in worse condition and when done can be once again shooters .If I was you go for it is surprizing what you learn about the gun all you need is a few sheets of wet and dry, a rotary wire brush ,steel wool in different grades plus a good arm and elbow , good luck
Feltwad
 
Yes, with enough time, effort, and money just about anything can be restored. But as my dear old Granny would say in a case like this, "the fun just wouldn't pay for the trouble". If it has sentimental value, clean it up & hang it on the wall. If not, cannibalize it for usable parts.
 
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