Jonathan Browning rifle quality

[Niederlander]

One of the things Hanson says in his book is that the Hawken is a bit heavier than what anyone thinks just looking at them.  They were built heavy for hard service.  I should be okay, as I'm 6'3 and 240.  If I can't carry it, I need to work out more!

[Blair]

I have always liked the Hawken look Gemmer gave to the breach loading rifles.
Yes they can be heavy, but most of these Plainsmen were not hunting on foot all day.
My best,
Blair

[PJ Hardtack]

Yeah, I have the Hanson book as well as others on the Hawkens. They was built 'hell fer stout', and for a man on horseback, a good companion.
I'm 5'6", weigh 130 lbs. I do 200 sit ups a day, push ups of all kinds (including hand stand push ups) and weight train daily. At 71, I ain't no wimp and can hold my own in most company. I just don't shoot my best with heavy weight rifles.

I've got a nice Shiloh 'Business Rifle' in 45-70 and it never goes hunting with me for that reason. It's my fun gun on the range out to 500m.

One of the things Hanson says in his book is that the Hawken is a bit heavier than what anyone thinks just looking at them.  They were built heavy for hard service.  I should be okay, as I'm 6'3 and 240.  If I can't carry it, I need to work out more!

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[RattlesnakeJack]

I should be okay, as I'm 6'3 and 240.  If I can't carry it, I need to work out more!

Yes, Dale, although PJH is in excellent condition his primary handicap, compared with you or I, is being just a mite "vertically challenged" (.... sorry , Todd ....  )  Here's a shot of the two of us with a Museum worker at Fort Macleod -



It would be interesting to see you with the .62 cal half-stock I acquired, my friend!

[Niederlander]

That .62 looks like a nice rifle!  As an added feature, if you run out of lead you could always load a golf ball for a "high velocity" round!

[Blair]

Great photo and explanation!
Thank you.
Blair

[PJ Hardtack]

Ah yes, I well remember that young 'Metis' interpreter at Fort McLeod! And the young native with the classic Blackfoot hairstyle who later handled the same '66 carbine.

And if I'm 'handicapped' by my lack of height, I'll take it! I've yet to meet the man who can make me feel 'small' and it's easy to keep this little frame in shape. All it takes is a little self-discipline, a quality I have in abundance, along with a strong sense of personal honour.

I had that uniform made in Toronto back in the early 80's by the same outfit that makes uniforms for the Goo-Goo-Foo-Goos and the Guards on Parliament Hill - and it still fits! The repro medals are copies of Srjt. John McMurphy's South Africa Medal, the British and French Crimean Medals with Sebastopol clasp.

Like me, "Jock" McMurphy was a 'wee feisty lad' who came to the attention of Queen Victoria for his rescue of a soldier he led out on a sapping mission. He found and carried the wounded man back under Russian rifle fire, and was 'mentioned in dispatches', the incident being brought to the attention of the Queen herself.

It's an honour to portray him.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Ah yes, I well remember that young 'Metis' interpreter at Fort McLeod! And the young native with the classic Blackfoot hairstyle who later handled the same '66 carbine.

This lad .... although holding your Artillery Carbine in this shot ....

(That was a good weekend .....)

Your portrayal of Serjeant McMurphy is superb, by the way!