I myself when purchasing a new gun total remove all parts lube and reassembly.
I remember your post on the peep sight you are going to mount on the hawkens and what I found that you should check before installing the peep to the tang,see how easy it will be to pick up the rear peep,I found if you use the rear wood screw I had to dig my face into the stock to pick up a clear picture of the front sight. the older t/c hawkens had a small extra screw that was drilled and tap on the tang, this set-up will not work with the hunter peep only with t/c vernier tang sight.
I would tape the sight and check it before drilling and tapping
good luck with the peep I really like mine on the hawkens and the new englander