Hello, I’m going to need some instruction on how to post pics, but in the mean time let me tell you about this rifle. I live up near Bigfork Montana and in 1992 I found this rifle in a local sporting goods store. My eye was immediately drawn to the beautiful wood and classic lines. It was chambered in 7 mm Rem Mag and the price was within my reach so I asked if I could take it to a stock maker friend, Mel Smart to check out. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’d never heard of Tom Burgess, but Mel very quickly straightened me out on that. He advised me to immediately buy it which I did.

The rifle came with a really cool B&L 2.5-8 Balvar scope mounted. The next weekend I went to sight it in. I loaded one cartridge and closed the bolt with the rifle pointing down range. The gun went off when I flicked the model 70 style safety off, yikes! At that point I took the rifle home and looked up Tom Burgess’s phone number, he lived a little west of town. He was a cool guy and told me to bring the gun over which I did. By this time I understood I was meeting a classic gun maker.

Anyway, he quickly took the gun apart and examined it. He said he built that gun in April 1964, he told me the barrel was an Apex which he used a lot at that time. He didn’t recognize the stock maker but said it was a very nice stock with well fitted Neidner checkered steel butt plate and grip cap and a pretty piece of English walnut. He didn’t think he had made that safety but said he’d make me another right away. A week later the new safety was back from bluing and Insteon the rifle, he charged me $75.00!

Now it’s almost thirty years later and I can’t tell you how many deer, antelope and elk I’ve dropped with that rifle. It’s just a really nice rifle. I’m hoping that if I post some pics someone will recognize the stock maker. Thanks for letting me ramble.