Thompson Center Arms Cal 54

[Deerhunter0716]

I picked up this muzzleloader at a garage sale for $50. I’m trying to figure out what model it is and a ballpark for its year and value. On the right side of the barrel it’s marked “Thompson Center Arms Rochester New Hampshire Cal 54”. On the left side of the barrel is the serial number “K203571”. From a quick Google search it seems like most of these rifles were stamped with the model number after the caliber so I’m wondering why this one isn’t? Also, I read that a “K” before the serial number signifies it was from a build kit. Let me know if you have anymore information! Thanks!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That' a Thompson Center Hawken, and was a kit rifle, hence the K in the serial number.

I hope the bore is good and you got a great deal!

LD

 

[bubba.50]

That's a poorly done Thompson Center Hawken kit gun. Cosmetically, everything looks fixable with a little time, knowledge & elbow grease. From the looks of the outside of that barrel, I have my doubts about what that bore is gonna look like.

But well worth 50 bucks for parts if nothing else.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I too think you got a great deal. A wild guess based on the serial number it that it is a early to mid 1980s kit. With some work it can be made into a nice gun if the bore isn’t terribly pitted. There are several threads on this site on cleaning up a bore.

Value is hard to say at this point but if the trigger and lock work fine it will part out for at least a couple of hundred dollars. If the bore is good it is probably a $150-$250 range gun as is. Cleaned up, better shaping of the lock panel and stock and refinished with a good bore maybe $300 or more.

 

[Jaeger]

Cosmetics aside, if the bore is good on that gun it will probably be an excellent shooter. I have a TC .54 and it shoots accurately. I shot a deer with a PRB at about 40 yards, and it knocked that buck down and rolled him.

 

[UndeadPoet]

I have a .54 T/C Hawken kit gun with a serial number only slightly higher than yours (K206XXX) and it was purchased new in March of 1981. I would say yours is from 1979-1981ish. Certainly worth $50. I would give you $75 for it right now

 

[deerstalkert]

even if the bore is a sewer pipe there is a magician by the name of Bob Holt that could turn it into a sweet 58 and then clean up the stock and you have a super thumper for less than $250
or since the bidding has already started i'd give you 100.00 as is

 

[deermanok]

101.00

 

[deerstalkert]

1 1.5

 

[Deerhunter0716]

Thanks for all the replies and information! I’m going to get the bore cleaned up and then put some rounds down range!

 

[UndeadPoet]

102

 

[deerstalkert]

i'm tapped out! plus i have more than i can shoot!
seriously though with just a little work that will be a great gun again. and .54 is wonderful.

 

[ohio ramrod]

$102.01 Bid

 

[3 trees]

Great deal! I would completely refinish. Brush the barrel and kill deer with it!

 

[centershot]

If you want to re-work that bore, give a call to Bobby at the address below. Best to call early in the day, say 08:00, he's a busy man so let it ring.

Robert Hoyt
2379 Mt. Hope Road
Fairfield, PA. 17320-9759
Phone is (717) 642-6696

 

[sportster73hp]

I have seen these go for much more than $300. Only sell when you are done playing with it.

 

[Dude]

Why don't I ever see deals like that at yard sales???

Ya done good!

If the bore is really awful, you could even have it sleeved down to a 50 or 45. I've been wanting a 45, so something like that would be perfect.

Guess I need to stop at more yard sales.

 

[Daveboone]

Thanks for all the replies and information! I’m going to get the bore cleaned up and then put some rounds down range!

Fine choice.

 

[Ed Pilkington]

I have CVA mountain rifle i converted to Flint and drilled out the 50 cal barrel to 19 gauge smoothbore. It is my favorite shooter. 2” group ay 50 yards.

 

[hanshi]

Any way you look at it you got a deal! And I'm another one who NEVER gets a deal.