Which rifle do we crown as the best looking ever?

[Wishfulthinker580]

Based on what I see, George's patent expired in 2015 so I guess Bailey is making his own based on George's design.

Gotcha. I wondered if something like that may be the case.

 

[AZDAVE]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Double- Rigby Rising bite double in any caliber.
Bolt Rifle- Hartman & Weiss or any of the classic british builders
Single shot- Jeffery Farquharson
Shot gun- I have my great grandfather Model 97 winchester and that one fits me and my eye

 

[gcbailey]

I guess Bailey Bradshaw’s rotary action is his own design then? I didn’t know if his was a copy of George Hoenig’s or what was going on

Yes, George's patent expired. Bradshaw didn't exactly copy his patent but made his own modifications to what George designed. I haven't held a Hoenig rotary action yet, but the one Bradshaw built was a work of art and amazingly light- around 6 pounds if I remember correctly.

 

[gzr]

Lots of way more beautiful rifles above than one would commonly pick off the rack. I'm astounded by the custom craftsmanship.

But for stuff one commonly encounters on the gun shop rack, I'd have to go with the Model 70 Supergrade and Safari Express rifles for standing head and shoulders above the current crop of factory-to-landfill excuses for rifles. Style and craftsmanship at fair cost. They are elegant and simple. Fit and finish is impeccable. Form follows function and nothing obtrusive or inconsequential remains. IMO this is the pinnacle of modern mass produced Mauser style rifles.

Sure wish they would make the Alaskan Stainless Laminate in .375 H&H again. Sporter size and weight. The beauty of this one is in form and function. It is striking IRL as well.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Based on what I see, George's patent expired in 2015 so I guess Bailey is making his own based on George's design.

George no longer makes doubles I hear, so having a new offering isn't bad.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Yes, George's patent expired. Bradshaw didn't exactly copy his patent but made his own modifications to what George designed. I haven't held a Hoenig rotary action yet, but the one Bradshaw built was a work of art and amazingly light- around 6 pounds if I remember correctly.

George no longer makes doubles I hear, so having a new offering isn't bad.

I think Mr. Hoenig made very few rifles, definitely more shotguns IIRC. Maybe twenty something rifles (I think there’s a video on YouTube where he says how many he made. Bradshaw’s rising block rifles look great too. Conventional American DRs don’t really do it for me but I really like his because it’s his own design.

Bradshaw Gun and Rifle – Finest Single Shot and Double Rifles

www.bradshawgunandrifle.com

 

[Switup]

View attachment 392714

I have a soft spot for M70’s (with a Rigby thrown In for good measure!) The Second rifle from the top is one of the finest 7x57’s I have seen. The engraving is by one of the British masters.

However, as much as I appreciate these guns, I have to agree with Kevin and Red Leg, a fine falling block single shot is perhaps the most elegant form of rifle ever created.

pretty sweet collection you got there.

 

[baxterb]

I think Mr. Hoenig made very few rifles, definitely more shotguns IIRC. Maybe twenty something rifles (I think there’s a video on YouTube where he says how many he made. Bradshaw’s rising block rifles look great too. Conventional American DRs don’t really do it for me but I really like his because it’s his own design.

Bradshaw Gun and Rifle – Finest Single Shot and Double Rifles

www.bradshawgunandrifle.com

I wrote a long article on George many years ago and spent the day with him. He is an amazing guy - an absolute perfectionist. At that time he was building up to #38 - fun fact, he did not build a #13 because he figured no one would want it! I ended my article saying when it came to a owning a Hoenig rifle and old #13 I'd take my chances ;-)

When i was there he was building two .17 HMRs, a .410, a 30-40 Krag, and a 9.3 x 74R. One thing I learned was that he built them in batches of usually 5 a year. He built them piece by piece, in other words not all one at a time but all receivers at once, all trigger guards, all extractors, etc. Once he was finished making extractors, let's say, he wouldn't think about them them again until almost a year later. There were stacks of hand drawings that he explained were the little changes that he has made based on what he learned from building the last batch. Suffice it to say that the last ones he built had all the improvements/tweaks he sorted out since the original patent.

I think what makes a Hoeing rifle special is not just the design itself, but the man who made it. Although he would really deny it, D'Arcy Echols reminds me a lot of George. I have spent quite a bit of time with him and known him a long while now. Last time I was in the shop he went over piece by piece his new LX-1 action. It is amazing. these guys are cut from a whole different cloth.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Are we talking all doubles? A 0.17 double would be a dainty little thing.

 

[baxterb]

Are we talking all doubles? A 0.17 double would be a dainty little thing.

Yes, all rotary doubles.

And I'll be damned - here is #38 that I mentioned above - one of the 17 HMRs. I saw this rifle in pieces on the bench. Have a picture of it as a matter of fact ;-)

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www.gunsamerica.com

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Yes, all rotary doubles.

And I'll be damned - here is #38 that I mentioned above - one of the 17 HMRs. I saw this rifle in pieces on the bench. Have a picture of it as a matter of fact ;-)

GunsAmerica Buy Guns Online and Sell Guns Online - Gun Auctions

GunsAmerica.com is a leading online marketplace for buying and selling firearms, accessories, and collectibles. With a large selection of guns available, including handguns, shotguns, pistols, rifles and hunting gear, in addition to gun reviews and news, GunsAmerica.com is the perfect...

www.gunsamerica.com

Beautiful! I wonder what it weighs?

 

[homeless]

my vote for the Mauser 98 in 375H&H.

It is not the most beautiful but it has a story behind it to bury anyone

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I wrote a long article on George many years ago and spent the day with him. He is an amazing guy - an absolute perfectionist. At that time he was building up to #38 - fun fact, he did not build a #13 because he figured no one would want it! I ended my article saying when it came to a owning a Hoenig rifle and old #13 I'd take my chances ;-)

When i was there he was building two .17 HMRs, a .410, a 30-40 Krag, and a 9.3 x 74R. One thing I learned was that he built them in batches of usually 5 a year. He built them piece by piece, in other words not all one at a time but all receivers at once, all trigger guards, all extractors, etc. Once he was finished making extractors, let's say, he wouldn't think about them them again until almost a year later. There were stacks of hand drawings that he explained were the little changes that he has made based on what he learned from building the last batch. Suffice it to say that the last ones he built had all the improvements/tweaks he sorted out since the original patent.

I think what makes a Hoeing rifle special is not just the design itself, but the man who made it. Although he would really deny it, D'Arcy Echols reminds me a lot of George. I have spent quite a bit of time with him and known him a long while now. Last time I was in the shop he went over piece by piece his new LX-1 action. It is amazing. these guys are cut from a whole different cloth.

Great info . I think I would take my chances with #13 as well!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Are we talking all doubles? A 0.17 double would be a dainty little thing.

Peter Hofer had one (maybe two) with him at DSC

Peter Hofer Jagdwaffen - Ausgewählte Produkte: Weltweit kleinste Doppelbüchse (1 kg) - Hummingbirdrifle

 

[xausa]

My choice would be between two rifles I already own: a .505 Gibbs on a Granite Mountain double square bridge action, built by Lon Paul with receiver sight and scope mount by J P Smithson and a .416 Rigby built by Dennis Erhardt on an original Oberndorf square bridge magnum Mauser action.

Fortunately, I don't have to make that choice.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

My choice would be between two rifles I already own: a .505 Gibbs on a Granite Mountain double square bridge action, built by Lon Paul with receiver sight and scope mount by J P Smithson and a .416 Rigby built by Dennis Erhardt on an original Oberndorf square bridge magnum Mauser action.

Fortunately, I don't have to make that choice.

View attachment 516554View attachment 516555

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Both good lookers, the bolts are identical

 

[MS 9x56]

I can’t find fault with either of those choices.

 

[perttime]

We'll never agreee on which rifle is the best looking. I cannot even agree with myself That 505 ^^ looks about right for me. Flashy rifles can look spectacular but I wouldn't really want one for myself.

Krieghoff doubles also look very right to me, as do some singleshot Kipplaufs.

Edit:
My new-to-me target rifle is the best looking rifle that I've had so far.

on the shop wall


after my scope went on and I took the can off

 

[IvW]

Best looking is one thing best reliability and practical effectiveness is quite the other.....

 

[MS 9x56]

Best looking is one thing best reliability and practical effectiveness is quite the other.....

Not neccesarilly, I propose the Mannlicher Schoenauer models 1903, 1905, 1908 and 1910.