The Arms & Equipment in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Hawkens
In Response To: Hawkens ()

Gaby: When the war started, (Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge) the confederates used whatever they had at home, principally Tennessee poor boy squirrel rifles(light calibre, little or no ornamentation) and fowling pieces (shotguns). The true Hawken rifles were made by Sam and Jake Hawken of St. Louis, only later did the name become synonymous with the type of shorter,(than the Pennsylvania-Kentucky, Tennessee rifle)heavier calibre rifle necessary to shoot men and buffalo west of the Mississippi. In my opinion there were probably several of this type of rifle used in the early days of the war. I have seen several that had been handed down in families, including one excellent specimen made by the conestoga rifle company, which I understand also made the better known conestoga wagons.

Messages In This Thread

Hawkens
Re: Hawkens
Re: Hawkens