- Joined
- Jan 21, 2021
- Messages
- 41
- Reaction score
- 40
Sometimes things you have long forgotten about have a way of coming back around. I got into muzzleloading while living in Nebraska in the mid 90s. Like most mid west states the rifle season was short, only nine days. If you really wanted woods time you needed a muzzleloader, so I bought one. She was a new TC Firehawk in 54 caliber. I had studied on muzzleloading and knew I wanted a 54 and that I wanted to shoot conicals. I bought some TC 425 grain maxi balls and got after it. I had some successes, and always enjoyed my time afield. Even though a modern muzzleloader I still loved the essence and feel of hunting with that one good shot. As often happens life got complicated, a divorce, relocating back to Texas, and somewhere I sold her probably for a song. I would continue to hunt with front stuffers through the years both modern and traditional. I even went the custom flintlock route after meeting a wonderful person CLA artisan Ross Westgate while working in Virginia. I also have an Investarms Hawken in 50 caliber, My Jeremiah Johnson rifle. Yes I have the DVD in my gun case. A few weeks ago I was at my local gun range making sure everything was good to go with my CVA Acura. I had 2 doe tags left, and planned a hunt in the National Forest that weekend. I was the only one there, and then another older gentleman showed up. He too had 2 muzzle loaders to shoot. As we often do we struck up a conversation. He started shooting a TC Omega in 50. After he was done with that he pulled out his second rifle, a TC Firehawk in 54. The nostalgia just ran wild in my veins looking at it. He let me hold it and as I shouldered it I was back in the creek bottoms of SE Nebraska. He said he bought it at a flea market for 100 bucks. Driving home I couldn't shake the Firehawk from my mind. I had bought mine in 1995 and they ceased production in 1996. The next day the 54 was still on my mind. I thought to myself, " look for one but chances are slim you will find one, and anyway you are out of work and couldn't buy one anyway." Well I found one, just one in Shelbyville, Indiana. Here is where things start going my way. It is a stainless TC Firehawk in 54 caliber in very good condition with a clean bore. Now I live in Texas, but work on pipelines as a QC Inspector. I worked in Indiana several times and had been in this store before many years ago. I called and spoke with the owner. His website said he took trades. I offered my CVA optima 50 cal pistol, and he agreed and also included a basic Bushnell 3x9x32 scope with the Firehawk. I couldn't
believe it. I was going to get a Firehawk. I was as excited as a 6 year old at Christmas! Fast forward a couple days. It is a Tuesday. I am at my late Mother's house she shared with her brother. She passed away 5-18-20. I knew I was going to be there and had the shop owner overnight the gun there. While sitting in the driveway my phone rang. It was an old friend asking if I was working. I replied no, I have been laid off due to Covid since June 20th. He said I have a job for you, and I then spoke with an old supervisor who offered the job. Wow, I couldn't believe it, but the day wasn't done. About 30 minutes later the brown truck pulled up with my prize. I quickly opened it and did an inspection. The gun was in great shape. I then noticed the breech area. I didn't see a nipple for a #11 cap, but a flame thrower nipple upgrade for a 209 cap! I had researched this after trading for the gun and found out they were not available anymore. I would have been fine with the #11 cap , but the nipple and striker upgrade was a bonus. I took the gun home and showed my wife and told her our good fortune about the new job. I took the gun to my study and stripped it down and cleaned it. This I believe is the first step to making it yours. Now, I would have one of those moments in life that stop time and make you realize the world can be a very small place and how the circle of life continues unabated around us. When the gun was broken down to the sum of it's parts, I looked inside the stock and saw a date, the date of manufacture. This Firehawk was made 10-26-1995, the date of my Grandfather and hunting mentors death. I was stunned. Life felt like it had come full circle, and I felt my grandfather's presence. I put the gun back together, and placed it reverently in my gun case in the front row of prominence. I looked at the other guns in my cabinet and knew then that this "old" new gun would always have a place of honor and outlast all the other's. An old friend had truly come home. Thank you and God Bless!
believe it. I was going to get a Firehawk. I was as excited as a 6 year old at Christmas! Fast forward a couple days. It is a Tuesday. I am at my late Mother's house she shared with her brother. She passed away 5-18-20. I knew I was going to be there and had the shop owner overnight the gun there. While sitting in the driveway my phone rang. It was an old friend asking if I was working. I replied no, I have been laid off due to Covid since June 20th. He said I have a job for you, and I then spoke with an old supervisor who offered the job. Wow, I couldn't believe it, but the day wasn't done. About 30 minutes later the brown truck pulled up with my prize. I quickly opened it and did an inspection. The gun was in great shape. I then noticed the breech area. I didn't see a nipple for a #11 cap, but a flame thrower nipple upgrade for a 209 cap! I had researched this after trading for the gun and found out they were not available anymore. I would have been fine with the #11 cap , but the nipple and striker upgrade was a bonus. I took the gun home and showed my wife and told her our good fortune about the new job. I took the gun to my study and stripped it down and cleaned it. This I believe is the first step to making it yours. Now, I would have one of those moments in life that stop time and make you realize the world can be a very small place and how the circle of life continues unabated around us. When the gun was broken down to the sum of it's parts, I looked inside the stock and saw a date, the date of manufacture. This Firehawk was made 10-26-1995, the date of my Grandfather and hunting mentors death. I was stunned. Life felt like it had come full circle, and I felt my grandfather's presence. I put the gun back together, and placed it reverently in my gun case in the front row of prominence. I looked at the other guns in my cabinet and knew then that this "old" new gun would always have a place of honor and outlast all the other's. An old friend had truly come home. Thank you and God Bless!
