Ive read from numerous forums that either Sharon or Douglas or both made the barrels for TCs Hawken rifle. Ive read that Sharon made them in Casper Wyoming at one time. Ive also read that the stock and barrels were made in the state of Montana at one time. Ive read that to look underneath the barrel on the bottom flat you would see either a maltese cross or a spade and that would determin the barrels maker.Also read that if it had the models name on the barrel(Hawken) that TC made the barrel. Does anybody really know who made their barrels? I have two 50 cal. Hawken rifles,one is an older Hawken that does not have Hawken stamped on the barrel,and I have the other that has Hawken stamped on the barrel which also has the QLA. Neither barrels have the Cross or Spade stamped underneath the bottom of the barrel flats. Could anyone give me the real answers concerning these barrels. Respectfully, cowboys1062.
I believe Sharon made barrels for Thompson and so did Douglas and Green Mountain.
I'm currently making barrels on some of the machinery and possibly some of the tooling once owned by Hal Sharon and some of the tooling came from Green River Rifle Works. I believe this equipment was sold before Sharon started making TC barrels though.
I'll make some inquiries when I get to the shop, if any one knows the answers it will be Joe, he owns the stuff, I just run it for him.
I believe barrels marked with a large 'M' on the underside were Green Mountain barrels, you might take a look to see if yours have it.
I've asked this question before and never did get a satisfactory answer. I bought a well-used .45 cal T/C Hawken in the 1980s and eventually shot the barrel out (it was a tack driver). The serial number is 99xxx. The only markings on it are a spade stamp and "THOMPSON / CENTER ARMS ROCHESTER, NEW HAMSHIRE .45 CAL"
I picked up an earlier replacement barrel (assuming the serial numbers are sequential) on Ebay with the serial number 53xxx. It has the EXACT same markings with the exception that the stamp on the bottom of the barrel is the German/maltese cross. So, I'm assuming that the German/maltese cross preceded the spade.
I spoke with Joe today and he confirms that Hal Sharon made barrels for Thompson Center from the start and that Hal also installed the breach plugs and hardware on the earliest barrels he made for Thompson. We have a couple of Sharon made Seneca barrels in .36 and .45 that were rejected because they were threaded for 9/16 instead of 5/8 breach plugs.
He also said that he has heard that Douglas and Green Mountain also made barrels for Thompson but has no direct knowledge of it, so he can't confirm it, unfortunately he doesn't know what the markings on the underside of the barrels mean, they could denote who made the barrel or they could have been used to tell who at Thompson inspected and approved them.
Sharon and Douglas both made barrels for the early TC's. Sharon barrels were marked with a spade and Douglas were marked G.R. Douglas. I don't know who made the barrels with the cross.
Hawg, I've also seen Thompson barrels marked with stars and numerals in the same location as the spade or cross markings, if these are makers marks there may have been a few other barrel makers besides Hal Sharon and G. R. Douglas supplying them.
I believe Sharon made barrels for Thompson and so did Douglas and Green Mountain.
I'm currently making barrels on some of the machinery and possibly some of the tooling once owned by Hal Sharon and some of the tooling came from Green River Rifle Works. I believe this equipment was sold before Sharon started making TC barrels though.
I'll make some inquiries when I get to the shop, if any one knows the answers it will be Joe, he owns the stuff, I just run it for him.
I believe barrels marked with a large 'M' on the underside were Green Mountain barrels, you might take a look to see if yours have it.
In the 1980's there was a company called Gonic Arms located about 10 miles from the T/C factory in New Hampshire. I think they might have made some barrels for T/C rifles.
Todd, I'm just the guy that runs the machines, you'd need to contact my boss for a quote and we aren't supposed to be posting offers to sell things in open forums.
Shoot me a P.M and I can give you the contact info you'll need.
Have not looked lately but Track of the Wolf sold breech plugs for T/C's that allowed you to use other barrels. I had one made up in 40 caliber for a Seneca. Made up with GM barrel. Worked out great. TOW also sold them for the Hawken style T/C's. I stick by Sharon and Wilson for the Hawken's.
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