I just picked up a rifle from an estate sale that looks just like one of my Parker-Hale rifles. It is CRF and chambered for .300 Win Mag. It says:
Foremost model 6500
Firearms Co Ltd.
MAde in England

I tried searching for the company and came up empty. It is a really pretty gun, though.

Foremost brand firearms were made for J.C.Penney by different manufacturers, back in the day when the stores had sporting goods departments. I am no expert on these guns but I think most of them were as good as the originals they were copied after but often the wood was cheaper, such as using birch instead of walnut or such.

Most importantly, I will be putting it in ly Lead Sled to test for accuracy tomorrow! Thanks for the info.

Sounds like something potential built in the 1950s by FN?

It is a 300WM. Didn't that come out in the '60's?

I have a 3006 parker hale look alike rifle but it says sears on the barrel. Santa barbara action, nice walnut/with tigger stripeing, but ugly old '60s style stock pattern. Its a nice looking rifle though

On the left hand side of the bbl it also says:
BPS
300 Win Magnum 2.620"
19 tons per square "

Does it have a allow bottom metal. What kind of safety?

The safety is on the right side and moves like a Rem 700, but is shaped differently. It definitely is a Mauser style bolt and the bbl is very tapered. It has a metal plate at the bottom that allows you to drop unused cartridges.

quote:

Originally posted by JABS:
It is a 300WM. Didn't that come out in the '60's?

Yes, about 1963, to be exact. I saw some that were made on the pre-64 M70, then on the "new" 1964 abortions......

So, the general concensus is that it is a 1960's FN Mauser sold at a dept. store?

If it says made in Englan I do not see how it could be an FN.It could be an FN action I supose and assembeled in England.
Great round though, if the price was right it probably would have followed me home too !
...tj3006

Yes, it says "made in England" on the bbl. Pretty rifle. Other than Parker Hale, are there any other Mauser action rifles that were made in England? Maybe it is a PH marked for sale as Foremost Firearms 6500?

There are one or two English gun makers who used the mauser 98 action
However, of the type of rifle you describe Parker Hale is the most likely manufacturer.
The proof marks are you say, marked BPS, is that correct? I think it should be BNP which stands for Birmingham Nitro Proof.

You are right. It say BNP.

This is a pic of a Foremost 6500 that was on gunbroker not too long ago. I think they were santa barbara actions.

Good Shooting,
Weagle