Doc and 577, Looking at the photo takes me back to Zim and my bull looking at me in the Gongue River drainage when I hit him head on... That is a very life like image of a bull up close...
My wife had to hold me in the chair as I looked at it...Exquesite...

Mike

53 days till the Selous

Jumbo looks great...amazing what a talented man can make out of a flat piece of steel.

Thanks, guys.

It is better than I hoped.

If anyone wants to see the Hi Res photo, shoot me a PM with your email addy and I'll fire it your way.

Spoke with the engraver yesterday - he hopes to have the cape buffalo finished by this weekend. Said I should get some photos on Saturday or Sunday.

Also, he said it will be completely finished by the end of June. After the Cape, he's doing the Rhino then going over the whole gun and making final improvements.

I know this type of engraving isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I have to say, what my pop and I wanted, it's better than we hoped.

It will make its first public appearance at Cooley in mid-August.

Also, spoke to Butch earlier this week and this gun is going with him to SCI next year.

That rifle is a work of art, comparable to the very finest English/Continental.

That is some fine engraving!!

Its not often one sees life-like engravings, but that elephant is stunning.


Is he copying it from photos ( think I remember you where trying to find nice photos of african animals), or doing it freehand? I would imagine you get a better result, having him do it from photos, since you have the right size of everything.

I dont want to know what the engraving costs.. Im to poor for something like that :/


I think you will enjoy this rifle alot!

Another update, but no photos...YET!

Spoke with Mark today. He is finished with the cape buff and rhino - and said that he is very happy with them. (Considering how the elephant came out, I think I will be too!)

He is just finishing stamping the barrels, and said everything will be finished this week.

It's back to Butch who is going to to a few things:

Fit the extended trigger guard and return it to Mark for a day to finish the engraving on that.

Send Mark the Stock so "PPE" can be engraved on the stock medallion.

Regulaate, polish and blue the gun.

Then, it should be completely done.

Mark said that he hopes to get some finished photos to me by this weekend. When they arrive, this is the first place they are going.

I AM a kid at Christmas!

Nortman:

He is doing it from photos that both he and I supplied.

577, I would never have need of something chambered for a round like that but I'll tell you what, I'm jealous! That is absolutely a work of art. What a gorgeous piece of wood you selected. Jim

Jim:

Thanks!

Seeing your location, I just wanted to tell you that the rifle is in Prescott, AZ at this very moment - that is where the engraver is from!

577
Will if be ready for the DRSS HUNT?

Tony:

THAT IS A BIG 10 - 4 GOOD BUDDY!

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
Jim:

Thanks!

Seeing your location, I just wanted to tell you that the rifle is in Prescott, AZ at this very moment - that is where the engraver is from!

We got a couple good ones here, Rachel Wells included.

quote:

We got a couple good ones here, Rachel Wells included.

Mark is one of Rachel's students, and has consulted with her on my project

Photos hopefully by this weekend.

577
I just wonder if we need a chiropractor, or a massuse on stand by near Camp Cooley.
A young pretty one of course.

PS: Bring LOTS of ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
577
I just wonder if we need a chiropractor, or a massuse on stand by near Camp Cooley.
A young pretty one of course.

PS: Bring LOTS of ammo.

Hope 577/Doc finds lots of brass in time. May have to reload at CC. And you cannot make 28ga ammo work in a pinch. (just measured it against 577NE)

Hog Killer
Hog Killer

Right now we have 40 cases of Bell and 20 cases of loaded Bell bullets that I got off the internet.

Still looking for more brass!

So, if anyone has some Horneber laying around, or know of some that is in stock somewhere, let me know!

Buffalo Arms is out of Jamison Brass; Huntingtons is out of Horneber :-(

Tony,
Make sure she's SWEET!

quote:

Tony,
Make sure she's SWEET!

Doc52

Git-r-done....tomorrow.

Nice Avatar, Dork.

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
Buffalo Arms is out of Jamison Brass; Huntingtons is out of Horneber :-(

You can buy some factory loads off of WestleyRichrds.com and shoot them up to get the empties. WR uses Horneber brass.

577,

Few can say they have commissioned a real work of art ... regardless of the number of dollars they spent. You are most fortunate to be one of those few. Congratulations! A beauty indeed!

Well, our very own Lee Hooker (LHook7 - I believe) here on AR visited with Mark Swanson, the engraver of our .577 yesterday and he was kind enough to forward these photos to me.

Lee, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!! I'm glad you enjoyed meeting Mark - from my conversations with him, he is a great guy.

Here are the final photos I got of the action, barrels and forend release and grip cap:









And finally, here is a photo of Mark Swanson and the barreled action. I can't express how pleased I am with Mark's work for us - I would highly recommend him to anyone interested in having engraving done.



Lee literally sent me close to 25 photos of the action and barrels from various angles. I'm lucky enough to have a high speed internet connection at home, or I would be downloading photos until 2008. If anyone wants to see other photos, just send me a note and I will forward them on to you.

Now, the action is heading back to Butch for finishing. He is going to fit the extended trigger guard and return it to Mark for engraving. Mark said that should only be a one day turn around.

So, HOPEFULLY it will be in our mits as early as mid July! And yes, it is coming to the DRSS hunt in August!

We placed the order for this on April 11, 2005 - shortly after that my father flew to Boron and spent the day with Butch and finalized the rifle.

Now, after 14 months, it is awesome that is it finally heading home!

For those of you who are interested, I will be taking a video my father shooting it for the first time - you will probably be able to see the video on America's Funniest Videos at a later date - it may even end up in Saeed's Hero's section!

(Love ya, old man!)

All I can say is WOW. That is going to be magnificent to say the very least. Jim

Doc52 and Paul...Can't tell you what a masterpiece that Searcy has turned into...
Looking forward to 2 shots...Just to say I shot it...

Mike

The Selous in 34 days...

Paul,

It was my pleasure; I can't wait to see the entire rifle.

Mark is a great guy and skilled artist, if I ever need any engraving done he will definately be the one doing it.

Doc & Paul

Congratulations on wonderful rifle - I hope it gives you a lifetime of pleasure, and helps make wonderful memories for you.

Please e-mail me all the pictures you have - Butch should be done with the metalwork on mine sometime in August.

Best wishes.

Brad

Looking forward to seeing it finished, hopefully in person, one day.

Hog Killer

I have never really liked any animal scenes on any gun..... BEFORE NOW... those look perfect for that gun... nice symmetry, nice backgrounds... I too am envious...

Al

Brad:

Two emails were just sent to you. Sorry for the large files!

Paul

Paul,

That is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, what a gun. Now you must go to Africa and smoke an elephant...or loan it to a trusted friend to do the same with.

Perry

Perry:

THanks, Buddy. Spoke with Butch and he said unless something big happens, the rifle will be ready for the DRSS.

Is your shoulder ready for a few shots?

That is truly a work of art.

The hogs will be lining up for the priviledge to be shot by that boomer.

Can't wait to see it!

Are you sure that Butch Searcy isn't going to change his mind and keep that rifle when he gets it finished?

quote:

Are you sure that Butch Searcy isn't going to change his mind and keep that rifle when he gets it finished?

No, but he is going to take it to future hunting conventions and shows that he attends. So all you guys will be able to see if if you stop by his booth.

Nice looking 577.
You might try John Tomas at Gun Sport www.gunsport.com for brass I know he has had several 577s and may have some brass in stock.
Enjoy your new toy.
Bill