GUN QUESTION - Thompson Hawkins Cougar 50 Cal. #7348

Question

A friend of mine has a Thompson Hawkens/Hawkins Cougar rifle #7348 and is looking for any information - Help!!

Answer 1

“The Hawkins muzzle loading rifle evolved around 1840. It was quite different from the long barreled small caliber rifles of the East. The Hawkins and plains rifles were short barreled and of large caliber, .45, .50 & .54. Typically of better quality and accuracy. It was considered by many to be the best rifle of the period. It is still prized as a target arm.