Hawken rifle questions?

[Fargo]

When did the Hawken come out with the adjustable rear sight?

When did the hawken come out with the double set trigger?

 

[Ed/Pa]

All examples I have seen from historical photos dating back to 1823 (flint) show the hawken with double set triggers and rear drift type sights.

 

[Fargo]

Is the drift sight adjustable...or is it the semi circle fixed sight?

 

[Z71]

The adjustable rear sight is a modern innovation, intended for hunting accuracy and convenience using different styles bullets and varying powder loads.

Most or all of the originals had dovetailed sights, and the owners then likely just used patched round balls.

 

[MutinousDoug]

Between 1822 and 1849, Virtually all Samuel & Jakob Hawken rifles were built with double set triggers and buckhorn (non-adjustable) sights, regardless of caliber. There are surely exceptions as the Brothers would have built anything their customer could have afforded to have made.

 

[Ed/Pa]

To answer your question on drift sights. Hawkens(originals ) had adjustable sights........but not as you know them today. The originals had a blade front sight driftable and rear V or buckhorn. To adjust the front you had to file the sight down and drift it either way (L or R) The rear sight also could be drifted either way and the notch filed deeper. These were primative adjustables compared to todays that have screws for movement L or R or Up and down.

 

[Sunray]

"...Is the drift sight adjustable..." Only for windage by 'drifting' it with a brass rod and plastic mallet in the direction you want to group to go. Elevation is adjusted by changing the front sight or the load used.