Sublette-Beale J & S Hawken article

[LaBonte]

For those interested in rifles by original Hawken Brothers, here's a link to a fine article on an 1840's era J & S Hawken with some interesting features including: an early version of the slant breech, 38 3/8" long swamped barrel, oval patchbox, and single set trigger - article has some good pics....... http://asoac.org/bulletins/87_burke_hawken.pdf

 

[paulvallandigham]

Its interesting that we have finally found a documented incident where an actual hunter died after fighting a Grizzly Bear with a knife, from wounds suffered in the incident. Andrew Sublette. What a terrible way to go. This kind of death is repeated often by Hollywood, in movies, but this is the first historic account I can remember of it actually occurring, save for the famous account of survival by Hugh Glass who was left for dead after a severe mauling by such a bear, but walked out of the wilderness in the upper Missouri, living on roots, and grubs until he made it to a fort, down stream.

I smiled at all the detail the author gives about the gun, but manages to leave out mentioning its Caliber! A very nice example of a Hawken rifle.

 

[LaBonte]

Paul - you must have missed the caliber part - it's on page 10 of the PDF

The gun is 54 3/4” in length overall, with a 38 3/8” barrel having a rifled bore that measures 0.56”.

 

[nkbj]

Dangit boy...wonder if he got off a second shot.

 

[David Ratusnik]

LaBonte- Thanks for the great article. David

 

[J.D.]

Wow, what a great article. Thanks for sharing.

I think I would have learned my lesson after getting chewed on by the first bear. I can't imagine being attacked a bear, even once, much less twice. Old Andrew must have been a tough nut to endure one mauling and then go out looking for another. I don't wanna be that tough.

God bless

 

[DEWB]

Thanks LaBonte, I went by the library and printed off a copy. For some reason the pictures didn't show up on my computer. Cool Stuff!!

 

[dyemaker]

Printed copies of many American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletins are available. See http://asoac.org/publications.htm for details on availability and cost.

Having said that, the pdf article on the Horace Dimick St. Louis rifles is related to this posting.