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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200 |
I own a very well built custom M22 with markings "Gibson, Arlington, Virginia" stamped in the barrel channel. In Elmer Keith's book on big game hunting, he pictures a very nice Model 71 Winchester that was stocked by "Gibson". I assume it is the same person, but I don't know anything about him. There is a Gibson in the gun business in Virginia now, but I have not approached them for information. Anyone know about a stocker or custom gunsmith named Gibson?
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200 |
The "Gibson" stocked rifle owned by Elmer Keith was not a 71 Winchester, but was a 1886 Winchester 45-70 pictured in Elmer Keith's Big Game Hunting, page 53 of the McClelland and Stewart Limited 1954 reprint of the 1948 publishing. The stockmaker was described as F.L. Gibson. Many of our early authors used gunsmiths and stockers in the Washington, D.C. area, because of the proximity to NRA headquarters and Colonel Townsend Whelen's gun store and gunsmithing facility on 14th Street Northwest Washington. Any information on F.L. Gibson or his rifles would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill Murphy in MD.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200 |
This may be a John Hutton gun as described in Michael's book, but it has a definite Gibson mark in the barrel channel. It looks like a Hutton gun in some ways and is marked with a Virginia address. Can anyone give me any information?
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200 |
I just compared my M22 Gibson marked M22 woodwork with the recent pictures posted on another thread of a John Hutton Model 70. The checkering pattern and wood finish and color is nearly identical on the two guns. In my opinion, Gibson and Hutton may have worked together at National Target and Parker-Whelen. Soon, I will dismantle the Springfield and compare the inletting. An interesting possibility is that Gibson may be Ben Toxvard's mentor and the man who lived up on the mountain behind Shenendoah Guns in Berryville, VA. in his retirement.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 30
Boxlock
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Boxlock
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 30 |
Can't wait to find out what you learn when you dismantle your M22 Gibson, eightbore! This stuff is exciting and addictive!
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,139 Likes: 200 |
In googling Ben Toxvard, I learned that his son, who took over the shop after his dad died, passed in 2014 in his fifties. He was our last chance to solve the riddles of the Colonel Townsend Whelen gunsmiths.
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