Brevex #17 joins the collection - Champlin Arms 416 Rigby

[buckstix]

Brevex #17 joins the collection - Champlin Arms 416 Rigby

I've been fortunate to add another Brevex. And, in my favorite caliber. This is my first Champlin Arms rifle. I've emailed George Caswell asking for History about its build. It was just purchased at auction yesterday. When I get the rifle in hand I'll post details and additional pictures.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/CHAMPLIN-000.jpg

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/brevex17.jpg

 

[Hunter-Habib]

The French made many great innovations- Pate De Foie Gras, Opinel folding knives and of course... the Brevex Magnum Mauser action. It's a real shame that they were manufactured so briefly.


What's the magazine capacity on the Carl Labuschagne .505 Gibbs ? 3+1 ?

 

[buckstix]

Yes, Carl's 505 is 3+1, and thanks to Danie Joberts professional metal work, the action is very smooth and it feeds flawlessly.

here is the post from 2013 when I acquired the rifle .. https://www.africahunting.com/threa...s-505-gibbs-brevex-mauser-seeking-info.12611/

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Brevex #17 joins the collection - Champlin Arms 416 Rigby

I've been fortunate to add another Brevex. And, in my favorite caliber. This is my first Champlin Arms rifle. I've emailed George Caswell asking for History about its build. It was just purchased at auction yesterday. When I get the rifle in hand I'll post details and additional pictures.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/CHAMPLIN-000.jpg

View attachment 629405

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/brevex17.jpg

View attachment 629404

I knew Les Bauska and John Buhmiller, both from the Flathead Valley. I always thought John was primarily a barrel maker. I recall Earl Jackson did a lot of gunsmith work for him in his shop at the foot of Columbia Mountain. Earl was one of my dad's coworkers at the dam. He and Dad built my 30-06 Springfield 03A3. Horsewreck totaled that stock circa 1982 and Les sold me a replacement semi-finished that it still wears today. He was a genuinely nice guy. I can still see the twinkle in his eyes. Earl had a massive skull of one of Buhmiller's Cape buffalo bulls hanging over the window above his lathe. Had a big hole between the eyes! It would not surprise me if Earl had a hand in finishing your Buhmiller rifle. Those are both treasures. You are fortunate to own some important Montana gunmaking history.

 

[buckstix]

The Buhmiller 416 Rigby was John's personal hunting rifle. His name and home address are electro-pencil engraved on the bottom of the follower. In one of his many articles he mentions using his Brevex 416 Rigby on an Africa hunt.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The Buhmiller 416 Rigby was John's personal hunting rifle. His name and home address are electro-pencil engraved on the bottom of the follower. In one of his many articles he mentions using his Brevex 416 Rigby on an Africa hunt.

Your gun may very well have shot that buffalo! Looking at that skull as a twelve year-old kid back in 1964 first put the Africa dream in my head. Would never have thought I'd someday have a couple of my own buffalo skulls on the wall.

 

[PerH]

If one searches for this post , one find a good article about the .416 rifle on another forum

“ John Riley Buhmiller, Pioneer Riflecrank”

[td]John Riley Buhmiller, Pioneer Riflecrank[/td]

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If one searches for this post , one find a good article about the .416 rifle on another forum

“ John Riley Buhmiller, Pioneer Riflecrank”

[td]John Riley Buhmiller, Pioneer Riflecrank[/td]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

[buckstix]

Here is an interesting article about John Buhmiller

Africa shooter also a Kalispell gun legend

Gun builders and barrel makers have called the Flathead Valley home for decades. John Buhmiller was one of the first.

dailyinterlake.com

 

[buckstix]

Well, I finally received the rifle in hand. Here are some additional details. I am very impressed with the overall quality of the work. LOP is 13-5/8" and it tips the scale at 11 pounds 12 ounces with the scope. That may seem a little heavy' but at that weight it really absorbs the recoil. I'm still waiting to hear from George Caswell of Champlin Arms to find the History of this rifle's build. I assume the was built in the 70s, a time when Maurice Ottmar worked for George as his stock maker. The overall quality, and checkering pattern, attests to Ottmar's style, such as the checkered saddle behind the tang.

as always, your comments are welcome,

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/champlin-detail.jpg

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Here is an interesting article about John Buhmiller

Africa shooter also a Kalispell gun legend

Gun builders and barrel makers have called the Flathead Valley home for decades. John Buhmiller was one of the first.

dailyinterlake.com

Interesting piece from "The Daily Intercourse." Thanks. I had no idea Les Bauska was that much older than my dad. He kept his years well. No mention of Earl Jackson in that article which I thought was odd. Or Paul Beckstrom from Columbia Falls. Paul also built a few guns. He worked at the aluminum plant with Brian Sipe but I seem to recall Paul worked in the lab while Brian was in the fab shop. I have been told Dennis Olsen of Plains, MT about an hour from the Valley started out working for Canyon Logging of Columbia Falls. The Flathead Valley indeed has a long and steeped history of fine gunmaking.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Well, I finally received the rifle in hand. Here are some additional details. I am very impressed with the overall quality of the work. LOP is 13-5/8" and it tips the scale at 11 pounds 12 ounces with the scope. That may seem a little heavy' but at that weight it really absorbs the recoil. I'm still waiting to hear from George Caswell of Champlin Arms to find the History of this rifle's build. I assume the was built in the 70s, a time when Maurice Ottmar worked for George as his stock maker. The overall quality, and checkering pattern, attests to Ottmar's style, such as the checkered saddle behind the tang.

as always, your comments are welcome,

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/champlin-detail.jpg

View attachment 631670

Beautiful gun.