So 40 months after this adventure began... I picked up the finished rifle from Adams & Adams engravers... back from finishing at Turnbull! And all I can say is... this journey has been totally worth it! Scroll back to Page 1 and see what this started as! An incomplete $600 barreled action from Gunbroker... unknown maker (Turned out to be an Eddystone Remington Arsenal action). But the barrel and chambering work alone would have cost $600. So, what the heck. Oh and I blame
@Son of Dorn because I was looking for a project rifle for him when I found this. Thanks Dorn!
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Simple, but beautiful safari sight with pop-up blades. It's a .470 Capstick... a cannon. So no scope on this. Just an express sight.
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Some mild engraving on the action top. Done by John Adams of Vershire, Vt. A master and a good friend. I try to always have 'something' in with him. Right now my 10mm.
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Grip cap (the whole rifle is in the style of Rigby) with M'Bogo on it. He doesn't look happy.
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John had fun with the Hefalump! Much more intricate than I had thought he would do. I had sort of planned this build to be a 'working African Rifle...' but the sort of thing a successful and prosporous PH might have had. Not some 'client' showpiece. But a good working gun with a few 'personalizations' by its owner. But I think John Adams wanted to have some fun with this and did an amazing job. The elephant is incredible in the light and just has such a great personality! I think John just got in a groove and though it's more than I was looking for, I'm over the moon pleased with it!!! Wow!
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Here is the finished gun... cropped the barrel off because you can see it in earlier pictures. It's round and pointy. Anyhoo... as I mentioned, in the style of Rigby. I think the team out-Rigby'd Rigby to some extent!
Now that I have the gun back, I can finish the ammo. Some of the casings are older RCC and they are going to take a bit of work on my lathe to get them to chamber right with the boolits I have. But while lots of folks hated RCC, I loved working with them and 'finishing' my own ammo the way I wanted it. Too bad they went out of business (or are closed temporarily_.... because they fill a major need in the industry.
Anyhow, thanks for all the encouragement and for following this project along this path. It's been one of the less-snipery Snipers Hide builds. But here in vintage we are... a big tent group, right?
Cheers and Happy New Year!
Sirhr