Tintype Black Powder Hawken Rifle Gold Rush ORIGINAL NR

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

I really wish that this tintype could explain itself. Let me tell you what I think, then you can make up your own mind. It's obviously an original tintype. It's about 2.5" x 4.125" and it shows the typical wrinkles and crinkles that the good older ones show. Some minor blemishes on the face and one lower corner has a small spot of corrosion. Almost all of the original japanning remains on the reverse. So, it's pretty much just a typical mid 19th century tintype. Except, it's the image that's unique. A studio image of two youngish fellows dressed in mid 19th century clothes, wearing what appear to be canvas or Levi style pants (check out the rolled up cuffs. Just the way I used to do it). The shoes appear to be of the period. And what about that calico bindle on the guy's back? And across the other guy's shoulder is what appears to be a Hawken or maybe Dimick Plains Rifle. It's a big bore, probably the .53 (35 to the pound) that made Hawken famous. I shoot an Uberti Santa Fe Hawken replica and comparing mine with the image, they are exactly the same, except mine doesn't have a patch box. Remember tintype images are reversed. The rifle may have been a studio prop. Many guns shown in studio tintypes were. Regardless, when was the last time YOU saw a period image with a Hawken or plains type rifle? Me, I never have except in some expensive coffee table books. 's my theory. Either before they left for California or Colorado from St. Louis by wagon train or New York by ship, they had their picture taken for friends or family. An alternative, is that when they got to California or Colorado, they had the image made to celebrate their safe arrival in the gold fields. I'm inclined to think that this is the story, mainly because of the canvas pants. Either way, a very RARE and UNUSUAL picture. I just wish it could tell me about itself. A note about this tintype image: I tried to preserve the exact brightness of the tintype in the listing pictures. The ebay pictures do reflect the brightness very close to the actual image. On MY computer. Your computer monitor may be adjusted to either make images either lighter or darker. I can't control that. Be assured that it is a typical 150 year old tintype and as such, it is not as bright as your most recent digital picture. As usual a LOW starting bid and NO reserve. Keep reading, t is more you should know about . You should ask any questions before bidding. T is plenty of time to ask any questions, so don't wait to the last minute to do so. I reserve the right to end any auction at any time, especially if the bidding activity is slow. Descriptions are accurate and so all items are sold "AS IS" and all sales are final. Any items such as coins or other things included in pictures to show size or scale are not included in the auction unless noted otherwise. Bidders with hidden identities or hidden feedback scores are not acceptable and these bids will be cancelled. PayPal or money orders ONLY . Sorry, no personal or company checks. Payment due no later than 7 calender days after end of auction. Items shipped no later than 4 working days after payment. Shipping for US buyers is USPS Priority Mail, unless otherwise noted. NO handling charge for domestic shipping, unless special circumstances, but t is a $10 additonal handling charge if you require UPS shipping. International Bidders should confirm shipping costs before bidding as t may be a small handling charge for international shipping, depending on destination. PayPal is REQUIRED for International sales. All customs and duty documents are completed with accurate information. Optional insurance is strongly suggested, if available. The insurance cost shown is for the first $50US of value. If item sells for more than $50US, then insurance will be more. If insurance not chosen or not available, any loss is buyers' loss. USPS or other receipt is proof of mailing. We try to sell unusual items, so be sure to check out our other auctions.... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.