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RARE CHRISTIAN HAWKEN OF HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND,

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:14,000.00 USD Estimated At:28,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
RARE CHRISTIAN HAWKEN OF HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND,

KENTUCKY RIFLE. Cal. 50. NSN. Bbl. 43 1/2". A very rare signed Kentucky rifle by famous Colonial and Federal period gunsmith, Christian Hawken of Hagerstown, Maryland. Hawken was born in 1756 and by 1784 was an established and respected gunsmith. At the time of his death in 1821, he had become one of the most famous gunsmiths in early America. He was the progenitor of the Hawken line of gunsmiths so famous for the Plains rifles produced in Missouri in the early 1800s. Rifles by Christian Hawken seldom come to market today and this is a rare opportunity to acquire a Hawken rifle from a respected collection actually from Hagerstown, Maryland. This rifle features a full octagon to round 43 1/2" rifled barrel is signed on the top flat, between the rear sight and the breech, "C. (4 petal flower) HAWKEN". Brass bladed front sight with small stationary rear sight. Engraved lock is unmarked and has an unreinforced cock. Double set triggers. Brass trigger guard and ornate side plate with engraving around the entire edge. Brass buttplate extends 2 3/4" down the top of the butt and the ornately engraved and pierced toeplate extends from the buttplate 3 9/16" down the base of the butt. The exceptionally ornate, 4 piece brass patch box is highlighted throughout with various engraved foliate motifs and edge engraving throughout. This fine rifle also has brass ramrod thimbles, entry thimble, barrel pins and nose cap. The cheekpiece features a 2 1/4" oval silver inlay with an absolutely beautiful rendition of an American eagle engraved upon it. There is a silver unengraved oval escutcheon at the wrist and there are also 2 small silver oval plates encircling the rear barrel pin. The stock is very ornately carved at the lower wrist and under as well as behind the cheekpiece. There is further carving at the barrel tang and around the lock. The ramrod channel is integral to the stock and holds a wooden ramrod. The rifled barrel has an extremely gradual twist, likely 1 in 66 or even less. CONDITION: barrel has a gray/brown mottled patina with some oxidation nearing the breech. The C. Hawken signature is bold and clear. The lock has a dark overall patina with slightly more oxidation near the pan. Lock holds both full and half cock. The brass has a very pleasing mustard patina. The wood is exceptionally solid and well figured. The engraving on the brass, as well as the wood, is crisp and quite aesthetically pleasing. Fine bore with visible rifling. (01-20958/BF). $28,000-35,000.