WHO MADE THIS RIFLE ? - An interesting 458 Win Mag

I brought this over from the Big Bore forum in case you missed it.


Hello All,


This came about a couple days ago when a friend called to tell me about a Custom 458 Win Mag with a short barrel. It was sale at a local Gun Shop. He knew I collected 458s and thought I might be interested. As you might expect, you don't find many 458 rifles for sale here in Wisconsin.

The rifle's barrel was marked "Made in Belgium" & "Chrome Vanadium Barrel" & "cal 458" and had typical Liege Proofs marks. It was built on a vintage FN Commercial barrelled action with all the numbers matching; Receiver, Bolt, Barrel, and Bottom metal; they all matched. It had nearly 98% of its original bright blue finish. It has a very fine Sako Trigger w/ side safety, a nicely checkered Laminated stock with 3 reinforcing cross-bolts, a "White-Line" Mershon Co. recoil pad, a checkered Grip Cap, and an Ebony Forend Tip. The Barrel was cut-down to 19-7/8" from some unknown longer length and nicely crowned. The overall length of of the rifle was just under 40 inches. It has Sights consisting of a Long-Slide Lyman No. 48 Peep Sight at the rear, and a Gold Bead Ramped Sight at the front. There is a filler block in the mid-barrel island where a rear sight could go. It weighs a "somewhat light" 8 pounds 2 ounces, with a 13-1/2" LOP. It holds 3 down, and 1 up. In addition, the Reciever, Trigger Guard, and Floor Plate are tastefully "Floral Engraved". All this, for the "walk-out-door" price of only $650. So, as you might expect, it followed me home.

So here's a question for the Forum members. Any idea who built this rifle? The rear sight filler block has the initials "R.C.P." and ".458". I'm assuming that R.C.P. is this rifle's builder because the man who commissioned this rifle to be custom made (now deceased) doesn't have those initials. I also found "R C Pace" (?) penciled in the barrel channel.

Anyone know of a gunsmith with the initials; "R.C.P." or "R.C. Pace" ? ..... Please Help.

As always, your comments are most welcome.

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RealCoolPiece

You made a good buy on that when you consider the action and engraving but (no offense) dang that thing is fugly!

I would assume it was put together by some local gunsmith sometime in the late 60's or 70's. I'm sure you're old enough to remember when the laminated Remington model 600 style stocks were all the rage.

Lots of local gunsmiths who's names are largely lost to history churned out stuff like this.

If nothing else it would be a great guides or general utility gun for somebody who lived around big bears.

Hello Dutch44,

Hello bwanamrm,

Hello Cougarz,

Thanks for the reply.

I think I solved the mystery of how this rifle came to be. Someone, (likely with the initials R.C.P.) "assembled" this rifle in the late 1960's to early 1970's through components from Herters in Waseca, Minn., or, they special ordered the rifle direct from Herters with its current configuration. A 1966 Herters catalog shows all the components, and information contained in the catalog indicates that they offer services to build complete rifles.

I remember their catalogs were better than a comic book.. Everything was "world famous" from curing the common cold to wasp waist bullets.

I hear they did have some superb wood at one time.

Still have some wasp waist bullets left.

Well...I was too young to actually buy anything......???

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
I remember their catalogs were better than a comic book.. Everything was "world famous" from curing the common cold to wasp waist bullets.

Try saying "wasp waist" ... fast ... 3 times.

I have some 1938 154 gr Turk 8mm bullets that look like that too. In 1950's nomenclature that was called "area ruled". An aeronautical term describing a shape that allowed lower trans-sonic drag.

I still have an old Herters catalogue. Also one of his cook books. I still have an old Flaigs catalogue. Any one remember them ? Some old Fajen and Bishop catalogues. Now everyone knows I'm an old geezer for sure. Oh and how about Frank Meitemeir ? Got a few Ralph Sisk Express bullets, remember him ?

quote:

Originally posted by Craftsman:
I still have an old Herters catalogue. Also one of his cook books. I still have an old Flaigs catalogue. Any one remember them ? Some old Fajen and Bishop catalogues. Now everyone knows I'm an old geezer for sure. Oh and how about Frank Meitemeir ? Got a few Ralph Sisk Express bullets, remember him ?

Yeah, I have some Sisk bullets also. How about some Kenru bullet jackets?

In addition to the Sisk bullets, I also have some Crawford Hollidge (Ernest Stuhlshuter) bullets dating from the mid '60's.

I've got some W.T.C. bullets that came with Elmer Keith's Experimental 280 OKH rifle that I acquied back in Sept. 2012. Although 7mm, these bullets measure .288 dia. The 7mm wasn't standarized to .284 dia until some years later.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...881030442#5881030442

It does look like a rifle built from a Herter's catalog. All that is except for the engraving which looks like very fine work like nothing that ever came from Herters. I would love to know who did that work.