This rifle is a modern recreation of the famous original Samuel Hawken rifle owned by Mariano Medina (1812-1878, also spelled Modina), easily one of the best of all original Hawken rifles. It was built by master artisan Steve Lodding of the Contemporary Longrifle Association around 2010 after studying and photographing the original rifle which is currently in Jim Gordon's private museum in Glorieta, New Mexico, not far south of Medina's birthplace. Lodding is known for incredibly detailed work in firearms and other frontier items. It was carefully handcrafted using a straight Green Mountain barrel, original antique lock, hand-shaped iron parts, and smooth walnut stock and then artfully aged. It closely matches the details shown in the chapter "Mariano Modena's Rifle" in John D. Baird's "Hawken Rifles: The Mountain Man's Choice." Note how the markings, pins, and designs compare to those shown in the pictures on pages 30-33. The rifle has dovetailed blade and notch sights, "S. HAWKEN ST LOUIS" running towards the muzzle on the top flat behind the rear sight at slight angles, a correct "A. MEIER & CO/ST LOUIS" marked lock, double set triggers, hand shaped iron parts including the distinctive long wear plate correctly secured by 14 pins, attractive traditional style patch box with double pierced side plate engraved by Master Engraver Aaron “Duke” Pursley of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA), nine inlaid stars, and an oval cheekpiece inlay inscribed by Pursley with "PURCHASED ST LOUIS/1833/Mariano Modina/TO/Gen A. H. Jones/BIG THOMPSON COLO./1878." Medina was born in Taos of mixed heritage and was a contemporary and associate of Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, the Bents and many of the other famous mountain men during the height of the Rocky Mountain fur trade and also served as a guide/scout for expeditions by John C. Fremont and others. He was the first settler on Big Thompson Creek in 1858 near present day Loveland, Colorado, and established a well-known trading post there. Shortly before his death in 1878, he gave the rifle to General A. H. Jones with the instruction to "Keep her clean, General!" Jones was a captain in the Governor's Guards and then the Inspector General of the Colorado Militia. He became a prominent businessman and was one of the founders of the Denver Club.

Very fine with attractive "antiqued" finish throughout. The barrel is a mottled blend of gray and brown. There is oxidation around the front sight and in the trigger guard "curl." Most of the other steel/iron has a grayed appearance and signs of filing and rough finishing purposely left visible. The inlays and side plate are fairly bright with some aging. The markings are crisp. The stock is also very fine and has crisp edges, smooth finish, and slight handling and storage type marks. The lock and set triggers are mechanically fine. This is an very accurate copy of an extraordinary Hawken rifle by one of today's finest traditional artisans.