30993- MARYLAND PERCUSSION CONVERSION FLINTLOCK LONGRIFLE BY CHRISTIAN HAWKEN OF HAGERSTOWN CIRCA 1815-20. 58” overall with 41” octagon rifled .44 caliber barrel signed in script “C. HAWKEN” behind the rear sight. Nickel blade front sight. Highly figured tiger maple stock with incise three line linear carving along the forend and pronounced raised carved vine scroll work on the left side of the butt stock to the rear of the cheek rest. Also raised carved with floral motifs about the barrel tang and incise carved at the toe of the stock comb. Stock also “BEAVER TAIL” raised carved about the lock plate and the side plate panel. Coin silver “man-in-moon” cheek rest inlay and coin silver oval thumb plate. Brass open work patchbox, butt plate and mounts. Patchbox finial of openwork style closely associated with the work of Christian Hawken and one of the hallmark features of his work. Patchbox lid lightly floral engraved in a manner also associated with his work. Lightly engraved lock plate signed “Mc Kim/& HARRIS”. Percussion “drum” style conversion with clean out screw. Adjustable double set triggers. Very good condition overall with restoration. Stock refinished with light sanding and none of the original finish remaining. Wood at the top of the lock mortice has been blown out during the flint era and is repaired under the hammer and missing wood forward of the hammer along the top of the plate. Further evidence of this is given weight by the large piece of metal missing from the barrel beneath the drum at the top thru which the drum itself was positioned-obviously with enough metal remaining to be serviceable in percussion form. Barrel has been re-browned at the time of conversion. Rifling in excellent condition with little wear and may have been re-cut at time of conversion. Lock in working order and double set triggers function perfectly. Christian Hawken worked in Hagerstown, Maryland from the late 1780’s until to 1820. He died there in 1821. Two of his sons (Jacob and Samuel) removed to St. Louis, Mo. Where they became famous for the manufacture of the Hawken “Mountain” rifle. Pending sale.