I just wondered if anyone has seen their C.P. Donelly rifle in 35 Whelen. I've emailed them a couple times about it and got no response. There appears to be a defect on the right side of the rear bridge. I understand few get to view their rifles first hand.

I have always found them very difficult to deal with. Be careful.

Jessee James Wayne?Caveat emptor!

Not to be the pot calling the kettle black, but I've always had the "what an asshole" impression while trying to deal with him.

That said, he is usually at the Dallas Arms Collectors show, the next one is Jan 9 & 10. You might be able to find some knowledgeable person to look at the rifle for you. It will probably be there. I'm probably not going so I can't help.

They're high on my IGNORE list

At one time (maybe still now?) if you walked in the door there you had to pay to see the guns. Seriously.

Normally with reputable outfits that advertise on the Internet, you call, you get someone knowledgeable, you ask for him to get the gun in hand and he answers questions about it. Not so with Wayne--at least a majority of the time.

Yep unfortunately ol' James is from Victoria and is not on many Christmas card lists. One of the infamous stories about James is he once had cars towed off of his property during a funeral when an overflow crowd forced folks to park on his property to attend the mass at the Catholic church next door.

He does accumulate some nice firearms from time to time, but I wouldn't deal with James to save me from Hades...

Just my $.02...

Thanks Gentlemen. I better steer clear then. Darn shame too. I really like the overall look of that Donnelly rifle. Oh well.

Well, my one experience was good. They answered all my questions by phone, promptly shipped the rifle, etc. I was concerned because I checked their background and a few things came up and this rifle was to good to be true but everything was perfect, other than
They would not budge on the price.

Thanks for mentioning that show Gato.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
Not to be the pot calling the kettle black, but I've always had the "what an asshole" impression while trying to deal with him.

That said, he is usually at the Dallas Arms Collectors show, the next one is Jan 9 & 10. You might be able to find some knowledgeable person to look at the rifle for you. It will probably be there. I'm probably not going so I can't help.

Anyone else think this looks like defect in the bridge? Possibly from the heat treatment process?

The word RUTHLESS pops to mind. Be careful.

The metallurgy won't let that area blue properly, and/or perhaps the tanks were too hot (hopefully) or the weld is bad for a number of reasons, its fixable as a rule unless its been welded too many times...It could be coated to match I suspect if it can't be blued. BTW the damage is not on the rear bridge, its on the bolt body from welding the Talley bolt handle, and basically a poor job, and should never have left the shop like that...Also the bolt can be replaced but would need the safety reinstalled etc. If the price is right would be my question.