I see a fair number of them for sale. Modest amount of research says Mr Davenport was a good builder and sold his rifles at a very fair price.

Two questions:

Anyone know if Davenport rifle were known to be more accurate than other custom rifles? Have seen one or two references to that, but curious if that was just an opinion or known to be true?

I'm trying to get a sense of pricing range - seeing M70's and Mausers with wood stocks and douglas barrels. Seems like they are a better value (less expensive) than some other names.

Anyone have history, perspective on these rifles?

Thanks

Years ago I had Sterling Davenport barrel two 1909 Mausers in .425 Westley Richards with Krieger barrels, modifying the actions, new bolt handles and adding express sights. Fantastic guy to work with, on time and work was perfect. Stocked them myself, still have them, price was very reasonable. For some odd reason, I have never shot them, even though I have all the reloading equipment!!!!

My 375 H&H is a sako safari model, restocked by him I believe. it is very accurate

This does not address your question, but for anyone interested in reading a bit about how Mr. Davenport worked, and to see a few photos of him and his work, take a look at pages 138 - 143 and 180 - 195 in The Gun Digest Book of Riflesmithing by Jack Mitchell.

I once hunted with a guy in BC who had Sterling build every rifle he owned. If he needed a 338 for an upcoming Bear hunt, he'd call Sterling and have one made.

I am sure that bwanamrm will weigh in here, but he has several Sterling Davenport rifles and I have never heard him say anything negative about the rifles.

I have half a dozen of Sterling's rifles. First met him at the Dallas Safari Club show fifteen years ago and there is no finer gentleman building rifles I am aware of. Most of my guns are built on Model 70 actions and they have barrels that range from Douglas to Kreigers. All shoot well, 1.25 MOA or less at 100. A couple are startlingly accurate. Super value for what Sterling charged for them.

The last rifle I had Sterling build was about 4 years ago and he told me he was phasing out of the business. He was close to eighty. For years we exchanged Christmas cards but I haven't got one back from him in the last two years.

Prices on Sterling's rifle run from $3500 to $10,000 (rare) depending on caliber and embellishment.

Last I heard Sterling's son took over the business, but I could be wrong.I was in the same class as Sterling at CO School of Trades. He came from Harry Lawson's shop to school to learn the metal side of gunsmithing, he was already a master craftsman with wood when was there.

In our class was Sterling, Jack Mitchell who went on to write for Guns Magazine and Gun Digest Books, Wayne Novak of Novak sights, Art Leckie,Beuhler mounts and safties, Steve Fisher a great wood man in his own right with checkering. The Gun Digest that Lindy mentioned above had several guys from our class in the edition.

Jack has retired and last I heard was living in ATL. Wayne is still going strong with his company.
Those were some very good times for me, a small town guy from the low country of SC.We had a lot of fun together.

I have had a 25 year history of buying rifles from Sterling. I consider him a personal friend. I Own 13 of his rifles, and owned many more that I have sold. I took delivery of my last rifle three weeks ago a 9.3x62. My relationship is so strong that when I want something built I gather the things I want on the rifle (action, Kreiger barrel, Blackburn bottom metal, trigger, etc) and send them to him with a request for a rifle and he begins the work. He is an excellent gun maker. He knows about style accuracy and fit and finish, a true complete gun MAKER. He told me he could not make another rifle for me because of some tax that was to be imposed on gunmakers as classed as Manufacturers of destructive devices and therefore, what was fun and exciting was now a legal affair. I do not speak for Sterling, I am only repeating what he told me.

Unlike many that buy custom rifles, I actually shoot them at game in hard conditions. None of mine have an extra fiberglass stock to see them through hard times. Sterling used to go to Dallas for their Safari Club event. We spent many hours discussing custom rifles and his philosophy. I treasure his work his ethics his philosophy and the work he produced for me. A true living treasure.. When the idiots that legislate gunmakers pull their heads out of ....... he might start working again. My hope is to be the first in line to place an order with him again.

All my guns shoot well under an inch groups all day long. I am sure you will be more than satisfied with your end product. I see plastic rifles by makers with all the class and beauty of a pig in shit pay twice what Sterling charges for something of not artistic class (MY OPINION ONLY) No insult to those that love the black guns. He is true old school and I highly recommend him and his work without reservation.

One of the great tramas of my life was when the George Hoffman Sterling Davenport rifle sold at Dallas SCI auction a day ahead of schedule by some dumb ass, and brought only a smidgen of what it was worth, and the money went to his wife, who was devastated by that criminal act....I was prepared to buy it at about any cost as George was an old and dear friend of mine. Many were waiting to buy that rifle. Shame on SCI Dallas...
Sterling is a great gunsmith, his rifles were accurate as anyones, his skill was among the best.
I don't know his status today, but he is certainly getting smooth mouth like the rest of us curmudgeons..

I don't know how many 416 Rigby's have been built on Model 70 Classic actions (I heard the Winchester USRA custom shop made one or two.), but I think I recall seeing one that was built by Mr. Davenport. I imagine it takes some serious know how to do that. Lots of smiths are letting their businesses go, thanks to ITAR. What a shame.

I sure hope someone can neuter the ATF and put some sanity back into government regarding firearms. This would be a sterling opportunity.

Joe

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Henderson:
I sure hope someone can neuter the ATF and put some sanity back into government regarding firearms. This would be a sterling opportunity.

Joe

I agree completely. However, the ITAR crap that is putting smiths out of business came from the state and commerce departments. I know a lot of folks were thinking that if trump got elected that he would change things, but, while republicans give lots of lip service to the pro gun crowd, they seem to actually follow through on very little.

I have heard all about Mr. Davenport. If someone has a .300Wm or .280 Rem or .416 Rigby, I could be tempted to buy it just so I can own one.

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:
This does not address your question, but for anyone interested in reading a bit about how Mr. Davenport worked, and to see a few photos of him and his work, take a look at pages 138 - 143 and 180 - 195 in The Gun Digest Book of Riflesmithing by Jack Mitchell.

I have this book; excellent book. Just read the chapter on inletting that profiles him. I would love to own one his rifles, as well as some of the other greats. I had a chance to buy a Hal Hartley back in the mid 80s for a great price and regret never doing so.

Ross,
Check Guns International... there was a 416 Remington Magnum on there a week or so ago. I have a .416 Hoffman Sterling built on a pre-64 action I would part with at a fair price. I also have a .416 Rigby and a .416 Remington Magnum that Sterling built and so have never shot the Hoffman, hence my reason for offering it up if you are interested. As someone mentioned above, the Rigby's are rare. I have only seen one other that Sterling built...

There's been a Davenport 338 on Gun Broker for a while for $3,000. Nice looking rifle.

I have one of his rifles in 7x57 and it shoots very well.

Keith

You should know better than to come on here and tell us about an interesting rifle and then not show us a photo of it.

Here you go:


I would do a few things differently on this rifle if I could (bolt handle, specifically) but it is a solid rifle and a good shooter.

My Sterling Davenport .510-505 Gibbs... these pictures don't really do it justice.

I think he built a 585 that was for sale in Montana about 15 years ago at Westley Richards.

It was a good price, and I was on active duty stationed in Europe and just couldn't get my finances together to get it.

I think it was less than $5000.

Nice one in .338 on GB now, no reserve, starting at 3K, no bids as of yet.