doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Shilen-Gillman

I am trying to find as much about this rifle as possible before I list it for sale. It is not an older gun so I hope I'm not violating any policy here.

It has a Mark X action and a 26" barrel that is marked Shilen - Gillman. I googled Shilen Gillman and found some discussion about Tom Gillman of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Appartently he was a master gunsmith and a top shooter in the benchrest sport. Since the rifle did come from Arkansas, it does make some sense that this who the "Gillman" denotes. Anybody know anything about him and his work?

http://s1013.beta.photobucket.com/user/p...634578141888916

Thanks
Phil

I knew Tom Gillman from the early 1960's until his death a few years ago. We shot together in hipower rifle matches but he gained his fame in benchrest. He did gunsmithing for me from time to time and was indeed a master gunsmith. He turned out some beautiful sporting rifles but his forte was in making accurate rifles. The rifle you mention is no doubt one of his. Please post when and where you list it for sale. What is the cal?

Herschel
The caliber is 6.5-06. Did you look at the pictures? Did it look like Tom's work?
Thanks
Phil

Phil,
I did look at the pictures and as best I can tell it is Tom's work. He used a polyurethane finish that has a satin look like is on your rifle. I am not sure how he took the sheen off it but he did.

When Tom died he willed his property to his church. Some of Tom's friends wanted to buy some of his personal guns because of their connection with Tom. The person handling the estate did not honor their requests and I believe sold them all to some dealer. I thought that was a shabby way to handle it.

Herschel
I sent you a PM.
Phil