My local shop has a nice looking TC Hawken .54 cal for $250.00. The serial # is K351612. Is this a good deal? I know nothing about traditional MLers, but got an itchin to learn. The gun looks great on the outside. Is there anyway to see the inside of that barell? I assume you have to take these apart to clean. Thanks
Whats a TC Hawken .54 cal worth?
- Thread starter quigley
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Back when I had a Hawken in the 70's, the K prefix on the serial number desgnated "kit". Not sure if they continued that.
Most important thing is bore condition. Make sure it's smooth, and not rusted or pitted.
Most important thing is bore condition. Make sure it's smooth, and not rusted or pitted.
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If I were looking at a used muzzleloader first make sure it is not loaded by putting the ramrod in the barrel till it stops. It should go in almost all the way to the tip of the rod. Also stand the rifle upright with the ramrod in the barrel. Pull it up a couple of inches and drop it. You should get a metal to metal ping and a good bounce to the rod. If it does not go nearly all the way in and you get little bounce and a dull thud that barrel has a load in it.
If it is a sidelock this does not apply but if it is a flintlock check the flash pan to barrel fit. That must be very tight or powder can sift under the barrel and if enough gets under there it will ignite. Also check the frizzen to flash pan fit again it should be tight all way around or powder gets out and moisture gets in. If it is a sidelock and has a screw at the end of the bolster, remove that and shine as bright a light as you can in there and look down the barrel after you have made positive it is not loaded. You should at least be able to see a little of how the bore is. If it is a flintlock remove the vent liner and shine a light in there and you should see how the bore is. You also can run a damp patch down the bore and get an idea of roughness too.
If it is a sidelock this does not apply but if it is a flintlock check the flash pan to barrel fit. That must be very tight or powder can sift under the barrel and if enough gets under there it will ignite. Also check the frizzen to flash pan fit again it should be tight all way around or powder gets out and moisture gets in. If it is a sidelock and has a screw at the end of the bolster, remove that and shine as bright a light as you can in there and look down the barrel after you have made positive it is not loaded. You should at least be able to see a little of how the bore is. If it is a flintlock remove the vent liner and shine a light in there and you should see how the bore is. You also can run a damp patch down the bore and get an idea of roughness too.
Ask the dealer if he has a bore light. K means kit. That is not a bad thing.
The 54 T/C Hawkens are hard to find. The price seems ok to me. Look around the nipple area of the barrel. If it is really rusted up the inside of the barrel probably is also.
The 54 T/C Hawkens are hard to find. The price seems ok to me. Look around the nipple area of the barrel. If it is really rusted up the inside of the barrel probably is also.
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The asking price of $250 is reasonalble. Check the bore for rust. a little pitting will not affect how it shoots, but can be used to try and get a low price. The K stands for kit gun. Since it is a kit gun, you need to look the fit and finish over even more. Check the inside of the hammer for rust. As long as the bore is good, anything else you could need, is avaible from TC.
