And if the actual gun turns out to look anything like the pictures, I got a lot more than I bargined for.

The gun is one that DavidW clued me into on my search post. It was in Guns America under Custom Rifles. The ad had no pictures and said it was an FN Browning barreled action, long extractor model, .375 H&H custom built in 1976 with a Bishop stock. The price was $1550. The ad was not all that interesting to me because I figured that it was like all the other FN customs I've seen from that era -- over-stated, gaudy stock with a high cheek piece and sharp edges (kind of like the Winslow rifles).

But I called anyway. I found out that the ad was placed by a gunsmith in upstate New York who was helping a client sell his four custom safari guns. He claimed that all four of the guns are in 100%, like new condition, that the client had had them built for a safari that never happened, that they had only ever been test fired, and that I had to see them to believe them. I said I'd like to.

He e-mailed me the pictures, and man was I wrong! The rifle is effin' georgous. It is a AAA piece of wood, deeply burled and cut in classic safari style (no cross-bolt, though). I can't tell from the photos what shape the action is in, but I'll find that out soon enough.

The only drawback is it is fitted with a Lyman peep sight instead of express sights. This would be fine if I were only going to use it as a dangerous game rifle, but since this is to be my plains game/backup DG gun, I need to be able to fit it with a scope with detatchable rings and express sights. But that's why I'm close friends with a gunsmith.

I didn't hesitate to buy the gun. I didn't even haggle on price. I simply sent an FFL and a money order for the asking price. I didn't want anybody else to get a copy of the pictures, because if the pictures had been published with the ad, this gun would have been gone.

By the way, there's still three left in the same condition (with peep sights), however, only one is in a DG caliber (.458 Win Mag), which the smith says is every bit as pretty as the one I bought.

So, I guess my two year search is over. I'll soon have my FN Browning in .375 H&H. I'll let you know when it gets here. I'll even post pictures, if I can figure out how.

Thanks for all your help, guys.

Good for you!! Hope to see some photos soon.

GA,

Do a search under Browning safari on Auction Arms or Gun Broker. I believe I saw it in Auction Arms there is one listed for 1500 and includes a pic.

Check it out, I saw it this morning.

Good Day!

BD

Forgot to add its a 375 H&H - I may have searched under H&H?

Good luck

Here's the addy

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=5088654

Sorry could not link it??

BD

Bigdog,

I've been tracking that one for a few days. I called the gun shop that is selling it and found out that it is a short extractor (push feed) model, which makes pretty well over priced.

GA,

Sounded good! I have nothing but long ectractor models.

Nothing bigger them 338

Glad for ya, GAHUNTER !
Looking forward to seeing what you've been looking for and is now YOURS.
Excellent.