It's time to stop thinking and start doing

[Hawkdancer]

Isn't that the lock system the early Spanish Arqubusers used back in the 16th century?  Those weapons must have been the cost equivalent of a modern field artillery piece.

I think so, but a lot of those soldiers in the "New World" lost to a well placed atlatl dart!  Apparently, some didn't even get off a shot!  Stick with a good fast lock and modern materials.  It is likely that percussion caps will re-enter the supply chain relatively soon.  But you can always knap out a new flint, even from not so good rock!  Next problem is going to be getting pure lead!
Hawkdancer

[Gimlis Ghost]

From mid 16th Century on through the mid 18th century the Spanish mainly used the snaphance, a early and more complicated version of the flint lock.

In match lock days wheel locks were mainly issued to heavy cavalry. Wheel locks and match locks were often on the same battlefields, the common soldiers being unlikely to use the much more expensive wheel lock.

[Digital Caveman]

Maybe I was thinking of match locks. I'm not surprised the atlatl could beat them, the plains Indians beat cap locks before the colt.  Of course Custer's men didn't have armor.  I do know that when the Spanish armor and firearms where matched against the Turkish armor and archery the weight of fire told heavily against the Turks. 
Hopefully not too off topic

[Eric Krewson]

Probably best to stick with the initial topic, gun building resources, how to get started and what is involved.

[Hawkdancer]

We did get a bit off topic here!  I will acquise to those who know what they are doing!
Hawkdancer

[Eric Krewson]

Here is a step by step pictorial of building a full stock Hawken from a Track of the Wolf kit.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/100435142@N08/albums/72157639906287386

In this thread people are discussing Hawkens they built or had someone build for them, lots of pictures for reference.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/full-stock-hawkens-rifle.126257/

Herb has built many outstanding Hawkens, here is his latest rifle and and plenty of reference material on how he replicated an historic rifle.

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=66626.msg671891#new

[Eric Krewson]

I had forgotten about this place, someone on the ALR site just posted it, this is the end all be all of historically correct Hawken kits, the parts are cast from molds made from the original gun parts.

https://www.thehawkenshop.com/Departments/The-Hawken-Shop/Hawken-Rifles-and-Kits.aspx

[sleek]

I'm digging into that site now. Thanks!

[Eric Krewson]

This jewel just came up at a give away price, it was sold in the blink of an eye, it was really nicely made.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/sold-halfstock-hawken-style-54-cal-custom-percussion-1980-period-525-shipped.135214/

[Eric Krewson]

A little more perspective what an original Hawken build would be like with the pros and cons.

On page 3 Herb, who has built around 50 Hawkens rifles, posted a picture to put the size and weight of a copy of an original in perspective along with lighter guns he built as he got older.

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=67359.0