Hawken History Exhibit

[52Bore]

Long time friend Bob Woodfill and TK Dawson grandson (Mark Brier) are putting on this Exhibit. I’m looking forward to it already.
Bob has written about 8 articles in Muzzle Blast over the past 2+ years. Each on a different Hawken and his recreation. Guess it will all be there to view.
P.23 of March issue of MB.

 

[Ethang]

What is it about Hawken rifles that stirs our souls so much? Just something about them, even though the didn't really have as big a role as you would think.

 

[ENCORE50A]

What is it about Hawken rifles that stirs our souls so much? Just something about them, even though the didn't really have as big a role as you would think.

I would suggest that the movie Jeremiah Johnson had a lot to do with the popularity?

 

[52Bore]

Hawken, like the Longrifles before it and Colt pistols after it - true Anericana

 

[PRBRobin]

Actually the Hawken craze predateded the JJ movie. Many of us traditional shooters were a little disappointed when the prop in that movie was definitely not a Jake or Sam Hawken rifle. Overlooking that, however, the movie overall was great.

 

[ENCORE50A]

Actually the Hawken craze predateded the JJ movie. Many of us traditional shooters were a little disappointed when the prop in that movie was definitely not a Jake or Sam Hawken rifle. Overlooking that, however, the movie overall was great.

Yes, there was interest in the Hawken prior to the movie's release. However, as indicated in just about every publication or internet search, the real craze came after the movie.

THE BLACK POWDER RESURGENCE
Even though muzzleloaders and black powder shooting continued to be common well into the 20th century in certain parts of the country such as the Appalachia Mountains, and saw a small revival with the formation of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) in 1933, it was the Civil War Centennial that sparked a renewed national interest in black powder arms. In addition to the Civil War reenactments, other groups were formed that focused on specific periods in US history. These included the Colonial Period with emphasis on the French and Indian War and the War for Independence as well as the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Era. All across the country, but particularly in the West, interest in the Fur Trade, Mountain Men, and pre-1840 rendezvous reenactments coincided with a growing interest in the Hawken. The beginning of the second Heyday of the Hawken is easily marked by the publication of Baird’s two books (1968 and 1971) and the introduction of Thompson Center’s so called Hawken rifle in 1970. What began as a strong interest in the Hawken became a craze after the release of the film, Jeremiah Johnson, in 1972. http://grrw.org/the-heyday-of-the-hawken/