CVA Hawken 58cal Build

A few months ago I got itchy for a sidelock project and after calling some places for prices on parts, I got most everything ordered.

I ordered the Douglas 32" 58cal barrel with 1:66 twist from deer creek, along with all my other parts that I am waiting to come in.


Tang and rear section of barrel have been bedded. I am not done bedding yet, i just wanted to get a start and see where else i'd have to touch up afterward.


Hopefully the rest of the parts will be later today and the end of the week, a lot of work to shape the stock is needed and filing some brass trim is greatly in need.

this one is strictly for round balls, if i need anything bigger than a 270gr round ball, im in trouble! LOL

Birchwood Casey Perma Blue. I did 3 coats of it to where it was jet black and then oiled some 0000 steel wool and knocked it back to a worn blue look. Came out nice, I really like how that cold blue worked out.

2 coats birchwood casey walnut, let dry, soak 0000 steel wool in boiled linseed oil and lightly buff for a smooth finish and a great way to test color of stain. Remove with mineral spirits if more stain is needed.

I loved it so much that i doubt i will put a truoil finish on it.

Lighter spots are the natural colors of the wood after oiling. Its in the perfect spots too where the stock normally would get a lot of wear and tear from normal handling if you were a mountain man, tramping all over the mountains.





Not the greatest pics, i will get some with it outside tomorrow.

Still have a great deal of brass work to be done before i antique those parts. The worn barrel bluing job really set it off.

guys i tested a little true oil on a section of the stock. I'd be stupid if i just used the linseed oil. That truoil brought out the figure and just made it pop. I may do just 10 coats of truoil and then do the oiled steel wool and knock the shine off. It looks to darn good with that truoil.

Goingto let the stock set up for a few days before i pull the brass and polish everything and then antique it.

Heres some pics with the brass all blacked out.

I know if i hit heavy brush and such, it certainly will scratch off, but thats kind of the point, age it and let things happen naturally. I still have a bunch left, so if it gets to the point where its ugly, just touch it up.

I just did the ramrod thimbles with the brass black, looks even better now. Did i mention that i hate brass? LOL

I am so friggin pumped right now! I got that 58cal barrel MOUNTED on the cva hawken stock now! I was waiting to pay a gunsmith to do it but tonight i had a wild hair up my rear end and so i went out into the shop and got the hack saw and some files. 45 minutes later i got that sucker as perfect as you could ask for!

I first glued the tenon to the barrel flat and took note of how much i had to remove " A little more than half of the original depth" and when i was cutting the dove tail one hack saw blade width at the time, i made sure to keep the lines even. After that i used a square file and got the chunk all taken out, used the saw blade again and held it flat to cut the taper and then finished up with a 3 sides triangle file. Tapped in the tenon nice and tight!

Now the gut wrenching part, Installing the wedge key. I push it in the stock slot, closed my eyes " I did really LOL" and with my thumb, pushed hard and wham! It went through with a good deal of pressure! Nice and tight baby!!

Man i cant tell you how good that makes me feel. I normally rush things like this and end up with a screw up in the end. Not this time! Patience and slow work got a perfect fit.

No need to pay a gunsmith now! Work is DONE and now all she needs is a peep sight and a ball mold.