doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Brevex #21 joins the Collection - Francotte 416

Brevex #21 joins the Collection - Francotte 416 Rigby - Stocked by Bob Johnson - Jack O'Connor possible ?

This is my second Belgium Brevex. Brevex actions were sold in Europe and in the U.S. through "Tradewinds". This is another 416 Rigby. This is the 7th Brevex in this caliber. I worked on buying this one for over 6 months. It took that long to get it in hand. There is a pencil name "Bob Johnson" under the finish in the barrel channel. My picture shows it, but its difficult to see it in the picture because of the glare, but if you look close you can make it out. There is also in pencil, following the Bob Johnson name, the name "Jack" which you can't see in my picture. Bob Johnson is the stock maker of Jack O'Connor's famous 416 Brevex Mauser. see this link. ....
http://sportsmanslegacy.com/fi...urgess-metal-brevex/

In that write-up there is the comment .. "a “letter” circa 1970 from O’Connor to Truman Fowler (who published Elmer Keith’s Safari) stating he had only owned two .416s (meaning Rigby Magnums)." Perhaps this is Jack O'Connor's first Brevex 416 Rigby.

According to the stamp on the stock, this was Bob Johnson's 198th stock made on Feb. 14th, 1961. Very seldom do we know exactly when a stock was made. The owner bought this rifle from George Caswell and he hunted with it in Africa. Perhaps I can get more info and some photos.

Here are the specs:

Brevex Magnum Magnum Action in 416 Rigby caliber
Serial No. 227
Custom Rifle stocked by Bob Johnson
Red "Universal" Silvers style Butt Pad
24-1/4" Barrel
Island Folding Rear Site - Ramp Front Site w/ Gold Partridge Insert
Timmy Trigger
Bore: Mint
LOP: 14"
Weight: 10 pounds
Scope: Hertel & Reuse - Ziel 4x36-L81
Buehler Low profile safety

as always .. your comments are most welcome ..


http://www.buckstix.com/buckpi...ANCOT-416-21-000.jpg



http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/brevex20.jpg

I'll just chime in and say that's an extremely nice pickup on your part. Congratulations. I wonder if there are existing Bob Johnson shop records that might illuminate an O'Connor connection. If he dated his stocks it makes sense there might be. There is a fair bit of O'Connor photography from Africa and you might be able to match this rifle up.