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WHO MADE THIS RIFLE ? - An interesting 458 Win Mag

I brought this over from another forum hoping someone here might help.

This came about a couple days ago when a friend called to tell me about a Custom 458 Win Mag with a short barrel. It was sale at a local Gun Shop. He knew I collected 458s and thought I might be interested. As you might expect, you don't find many 458 rifles for sale here in Wisconsin.

The rifle's barrel was marked; "Made in Belgium" & "Chrome Vanadium Barrel" & "cal 458" and had typical Liege Proofs marks. It was built on a vintage FN Commercial barrelled action with all the numbers matching; Receiver, Bolt, Barrel, and Bottom metal; they all matched. It had nearly 98% of its original bright blue finish. It has a very fine Sako Trigger w/ side safety, a nicely checkered Laminated stock with 3 reinforcing cross-bolts, a "White-Line" Mershon Co. recoil pad, a checkered Grip Cap, and an Ebony Forend Tip. The Barrel was cut-down to 19-7/8" from some unknown longer length and nicely crowned. The overall length of of the rifle was just under 40 inches. It has Sights consisting of a Long-Slide Lyman No. 48 Peep Sight at the rear, and a Gold Bead Ramped Sight at the front. There is a filler block in the mid-barrel island where a rear sight could go. It weighs a "somewhat light" 8 pounds 2 ounces, with a 13-1/2" LOP. It holds 3 down, and 1 up. In addition, the Reciever, Trigger Guard, and Floor Plate are tastefully "Floral Engraved". All this, for the "walk-out-door" price of only $650. So, as you might expect, it followed me home.

So here's a question for the Forum members. Any idea who built this rifle? The rear sight filler block has the initials "R.C.P." and ".458". I'm assuming that R.C.P. is this rifle's builder because the man who commissioned this rifle to be custom made (now deceased) doesn't have those initials. I also found "R C Pace" (?) penciled in the barrel channel.

Anyone know of a gunsmith with the initials; "R.C.P." or "R.C. Pass" ? ..... Please Help.

As always, your comments are most welcome.

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continued...

maybe

R.C.Pace Weaponry Sales

50 N. 3rd AV.
Fruitport, MI 49415

(616) 865-6355

Hello PhysDoc

Thanks for the reply.

Well, maybe. But when called, I get a message that says "that number is no longer in service".

Hello skeettx,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I saw that. Those phone numbers go unanswered, or don't work, and no reply to emails thru their site, and direct emails to the adress posted come back "undelivered" and not active.

Sometimes these internet pages go on long after the business quits.

Well, maybe it was the right place. Maybe the owner is retired but still alive. Maybe now that you've created this thread, a former employee or customer might find it and add something to it.

Hello PhysDoc,

Thanks for the reply.

I sure hope so.

I researched another rifle a week ago. It was marked FRYS Gun Shop. I found the business in Terre Haute, Indiana listed on Google. I called the number and talked with the owner. He said he went out of business in 2004.

Hello PhysDoc,

Thanks for your reply.

I finally contacted R.C.Pace. Nope, not them.

However, I think I solved the mystery of how this rifle came to be. Someone, (likely R.C.P.) "assembled" this rifle in the late 1960's to early 1970's through components from Herters in Waseca, Minn., or they special ordered the rifle direct from Herters with its current configuration. A 1966 Herters catalog shows all the components, and information contained in the catalog indicates that they offer services to build complete rifles.

Well, if it came from Herter's you know it's the best of the best--if you didn't know it, their advertising would certainly tell you so!

That little snark aside, while the cosmetic styling does nothing for me (and I'm from and in California!), the components are certainly excellent and your "little big gun" would be a real confidence builder if a fella just had to spend time in big bear country. I suspect that's what it was made for.

I had a Rem 721 in .300 H&H that guy had sawed off for bear repellent duty once and I like your .458 a lot better for the purpose.