Planet Tyrus: “Weapons From the Frontier You Don’t See Every Day”

Podcast: Planet Tyrus
Host: Tyrus (Outkick)
Date: December 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into forgotten and legendary weapons of the American frontier, with Tyrus welcoming historian, collector, and prop master Jeff Hengebar as his guest. Together, they share gripping stories of Western exploration, survival, history’s most unique firearms, and the personalities who shaped the Wild West—including a detailed look at the rediscovery of the famed Hawken rifle and the remarkable African-American mountain man Jim Beckwourth. The conversation is filled with humor and candor, painting both the trials of frontier life and the thrill of historic discovery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Guest Introduction & Background

[00:06–01:41]

• Tyrus sets the tone by introducing Jeff Hengebar as a self-taught historian and collector whose vast collection is used as movie props.
• Jeff’s background: Raised in a house built by a surveyor of George Washington, steeped in American history from childhood.
• He shares his lifelong passion for Western explorations and collecting, leading to operating a “prop house” for film and TV.

2. Living as the Mountain Men Did

[03:41–13:41]

• Jeff recounts spending his 20s and 30s on a 3,000-mile horseback trek, recreating the experience of mountain men.
• Survival lessons: Scarcity of water, the unpredictability of nature, and the daily struggle to keep horses and men alive.
• Formation of a “philosophy of survival”:
  • “Disasters are an accumulation of small mistakes not attended to.” (Jeff, [06:24])
• Losing “the veneer of civilization” and learning gratitude for simple successes.
• “You can't get lost because you don't know where you're going.” (Jeff, [16:20])

3. Frontier Hardships & Self-Discovery

[13:41–16:57]

• The psychological and physical challenges of extended wilderness treks.
• Parallels drawn between combat service and surviving nature: “Nature’s hostile, but it’s not personal.” (Jeff, [14:18])
• The hero’s journey as a means of finding oneself.

4. Celebrating Simple Successes & Life Lessons

[16:20–17:25]

• Importance of appreciating small victories and practicing gratitude.
  • “You catch a rabbit, everyone’s in a wonderful mood that night at dinner.” (Tyrus, [16:25])
• “When you break it down, life's simple. We overcomplicate this. Move, move, move; it is.” (Tyrus, [16:57])

5. Rediscovering the Hawken Rifle: An Artifact Lost to History

[17:25–33:13]

• The Hawken rifle: Designed after Lewis & Clark, meant for big game and survival on the western frontier.
• The mystery of missing first-generation Hawken rifles (flintlocks from 1820–1850s), and their pivotal role in westward expansion.
• Jeff’s journey to authenticate a mystery rifle found at a Tulsa gun show as the long-lost Beckwourth Hawken.
  • “I proved without any question that I had a Hawken rifle. The Tulsa rifle was a Hawken rifle.” (Jeff, [24:17])
  • Discovery of Jim Beckwourth’s signature under the barrel, confirmed by scientific methods.
• The frustration and skepticism from the firearm collecting community over unstamped rifles.

6. Jim Beckwourth: The Legendary Black Mountain Man

[25:11–29:15]

• Beckwourth’s extraordinary life: born to a white father and mixed-race mother, became a famed mountain man, blacksmith, war chief of the Crow Indians, and Western scout.
• Debunking modern stereotypes about race in the Old West.
  • “His journey disproves so many of the stupid stereotypes that we have today of what it was like back then…” (Tyrus, [29:15])
• The value of perseverance and the principle that history belongs to those who endure and show up.

7. Frontier Weapons Showcase: Comparing Guns of the West

[35:15–44:50]

• “Show and tell” with Beckwourth’s Hawken, a Kentucky long rifle, and flintlock/pistol artifacts.
• Physical differences; Hawken’s capability for large game (e.g., buffalo) versus the lighter Kentucky rifle designed for smaller Eastern game.
• The immense weight and craftsmanship of the frontier’s weapons.
  • “My shoulder… I could punch it through a brick wall. But guess what? By the time you’re 30… you got arthritis, you pay the bills.” (Jeff, [38:33])

8. Extreme History & Untold Stories

[44:50–46:43]

• Jeff details ongoing historical research and little-known stories:
  • A Spanish-French battle on Nebraska’s Platte River—“instant replay preserved on buffalo hides.”
  • Accounts of mystical events and cross-continental journeys.
• Frustration with history being forgotten or erased, especially regarding Spanish/Mexican Americans in the Southwest.

9. Authentic Frontier Artifacts on Display

[55:13–56:00]

• Presentation of an authentic Rocky Mountain skunk hat and pelts, highlighting the real fur trade economy.
  • “This is an actual skunk hat… It’s three of them, actually.” (Jeff, [55:38])

10. Museum, Preservation, and the Need for Hands-On History

[50:25–50:52]; [51:19–52:47]

• Jeff’s personal passion for preserving this history in his private museum at Glorietta Pass, New Mexico.
• Challenges of making this history accessible to the public; Tyrus is offered a personal tour and encouraged to share it with the world.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Survival Philosophy:
  “Disasters are an accumulation of small mistakes not attended to.”
  —Jeff ([06:24])

• On Frontier Hardship:
  “Nature’s hostile, but it’s not personal. If you get run over by a landslide, it’s just… Wrong day.”
  —Jeff ([14:18])

• On Endurance & Society:
  “I think we forgot how to endure... If I don’t get it right now, if I don’t press download right now…”
  —Tyrus ([30:21])

• On Jim Beckwourth’s Significance:
  “His journey disproves so many of the stupid stereotypes that we have today…”
  —Tyrus ([29:15])

• On the Value of Showing Up:
  “The principles are the same. Showing up, enduring and gaining in consciousness, then you come out with appreciation. It makes life worth living.”
  —Jeff ([30:15])

• Frontier Realism:
  “You ain’t getting out of nothing. You can’t cheat the mountain. No. Or father time.”
  —Tyrus & Jeff ([38:52–38:58])

• Gift Exchange (Skunk Hat):
  “This is an actual skunk hat…It’s three of them, actually.”
  —Jeff ([55:38])

• Closing Banter:
  “You wear it magnificently well. If we push you over the mountain, we’ll get a buckskin jacket for you.”
  —Jeff ([59:09])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:41–13:41] – Firsthand account of the 3,000-mile horseback journey emulating the mountain men
• [17:25–33:13] – The lost Hawken rifle and rediscovering Beckwourth’s firearm
• [25:11–29:15] – The legend and legacy of Jim Beckwourth
• [35:15–44:50] – Hands-on gun show: Hawken, Kentucky rifle, flintlock, and physical challenges
• [50:25–50:52] – The Glorietta Pass museum and the dilemma of preservation
• [55:13–56:00] – Presentation of authentic frontier artifacts (skunk hat, pelts)
• [59:04–end] – Lighthearted closing, gifts, and shared passion for history

Final Thoughts

This episode blends high-energy storytelling with rare historical insight, bringing to life the weapons, people, and spirit of the American West. Jeff Hengebar’s artifacts and first-hand knowledge reveal stories often overlooked, while Tyrus’ wit and curiosity ensure the conversation is as entertaining as it is educational. The rediscovery of Beckwourth’s Hawken rifle stands out as a testament to both perseverance and the importance of hands-on history—inspiring listeners to dig deeper behind the myths and see the real grit and ingenuity of the frontier.