CVA HAwken, 54

[pilgrim]

     A few years ago I was at Dixon's Muzzleloaders shop and found a CVA Hawken  percussion rifle for sale.  What caught my eye was that it came with two barrels,  a ,50 and a .54.   Also look to be a presentation model.   I could not pass it up, since it would be my first caplock and the price was $150.00   This is now my favorite off hand rifle.  It is a dream to shoot and accurate.  If only I were steadier.

     A few minutes ago I was on Deer Creek's site and placed an order to make a complete rifle out of the spare 54 barrel.    Not  sure if I acted to quickly but it should be interesting,  since I am NO gunsmith,  by any stretch of the imagination.    I just can't see the 54 barrel just laying on the gun rack with no stock  etc.    Besides,  we still have another 5-6 weeks of winter and this will keep me occupied. 

    I still have a 54 Great Plains Hunter flintlock barrel,  that I occasionally  use in the Great Plains Flintlock,  and a XX G R Douglas .36 ca. percussion barrel   with no stock etc.  Who knows what will be next??   Although the Douglas barrel does fit into the  stock of the Cabelas 50 cal  with 1/66 rifling.  But prefer to leave this rifle as is.  It too is quite accurate,  if and when I   am steady. 

[Watauga]

pilgrim Yes!    Sounds like a good project and something productive to do,.. since the Darned Groundhog got away again....And we have more winter to deal with.....

[Red Badger]

So am I to understand your going to be carving a stock from a blank or is this a prefit stock and your just going to finish it up?  Either way... Pictures are requested 

Jim

[pilgrim]

     according to the Deere Creek website,  the stock is finished and includes the Butt Plate,  Nose Cap etc.  What I had to order to complete the rifle is the Trigger assembly,  Trigger Guard, barrel wedge, ramrod,  barrel tang and percussion lock and any needed screws etc.    Thankfully, Deer Creek carries a large inventory for CVA rifles. Sadly this cost more than the original rifle,  but at least I now will have two complete rifles.  If I don't like the finish on the stock,  I will sand it and do a new  finish.    So there will be no carving necessary,    since the last time I tried to carve  wood, turned into a BUTCHER job.  One needs to know their limitations.  And due to my ill temper I try to never push an issue.    Although I might try to carve on a piece of 2X4 to  learn how to carve.

[redhawk]

 Pilgrim, that is what I am in the middle of this winter.  I have practiced carving on a stock and inlaying some antler pieces first on two pistols I  picked up at the flea market.  Now I have worked up to a CVA squirrel rifle I have had for a couple of years.  Doing is learning is my policy.  The more you do something the better you get at it and the more you learn.  I have a few more things to get completed and I will finish the stock and barrel and get it together. I'll share some pictures when I get it together.   So try it you might find it is not as hard as you think it is. Take your time and be patient and you might be surprised how good it turns out.  The only person you have to please is yourself.  As long as you're happy that's all that matters.

[Hanshi]

You made the right call, Pilgrim.  A barrel just laying around is close to worthless without its own stock.

[pilgrim]

You made the right call, Pilgrim.  A barrel just laying around is close to worthless without its own stock.

    and since I don't live on a farm,  I do not need a spare percussion barrel to tighten wire fences.   

[Dogshirt]

You made the right call, Pilgrim.  A barrel just laying around is close to worthless without its own stock.

    and since I don't live on a farm,  I do not need a spare percussion barrel to tighten wire fences.   

I do not live on a farm. I live on a RANCH. While it IS possible that farmers tighten fence wire with percussion barrels, a RANCHER will only use a flintlock barrel.

[hotfxr]

You made the right call, Pilgrim.  A barrel just laying around is close to worthless without its own stock.

    and since I don't live on a farm,  I do not need a spare percussion barrel to tighten wire fences.   

I do not live on a farm. I live on a RANCH. While it IS possible that farmers tighten fence wire with percussion barrels, a RANCHER will only use a flintlock barrel.

Those flatlanders just don't understand proper tool usage. 

[Dogshirt]

You made the right call, Pilgrim.  A barrel just laying around is close to worthless without its own stock.

    and since I don't live on a farm,  I do not need a spare percussion barrel to tighten wire fences.   

I do not live on a farm. I live on a RANCH. While it IS possible that farmers tighten fence wire with percussion barrels, a RANCHER will only use a flintlock barrel.

Those flatlanders just don't understand proper tool usage. 

[William]

Sounds like a project that I'd like to follow.

[Watauga]

Sounds like a project that I'd like to follow.

Yes   With Pictures and Everything!! 

[pilgrim]

      The package arrived from Deer Creek.  Will need to do some carving to fit the depth of the lock etc.     The color  of the wood/finish is a light cinnamon color.  Not sure it will stay that way  since I prefer a darker stain.  In addition there will be some other carving needed to make everything fit flush.  But first I will need to partially assemble the stock and barrel.  This is  similar to my  CVA  Hawken but not identical.   Need to be sure  everything will match up before getting too involved.  Also will need to finish the brass parts to remove casting line and then polish. 

      Now I need to go slow and have patience.     This should be interesting.

[Winter Hawk]

Yeah, go slow on the inletting.  Otherwise you may end up filling "oopsies" with colored Acraglass.  And don't ask me how I know! 

-WH-

[pilgrim]

      I checked the fitting of my barrel to the stock with the button tang in place.  As I see it,  further inletting  needs to be done to  properly seat the trigger plate,  so it can engage the lock trip arm. Also need to further inlet for the barrel wedge plates,  the button tang and the trigger guard.    Also need to a slight inlet to properly seat the barrel.  It may have been listed as a finished stock,  but it is far from finished and that is good.    Also will need to sand and restain the stock.   With the light color stain,  the wood grain does not show very well.  The stock has a nice grain to it,  just need to make them show themselves more.    Luckily I have a small set of  carving tools and inletting black  from a previous attempt.   

The patchbox and the butt plate only need polishing.   I will wait for a weekend to start on it and have no intention of rushing it just to screw it up.    I will try to get pictures of what I have so I can post  before and after   pictures.