This is a Model 1895 Lever Action that Duane Wiebe just completed. The gold inlay work and the elk antler on one side and caribou antler on the other are by Charles Lee. The rifle is chambered for .35 Whelen, and is intended for those days where either the weather is too bad or the brush too thick for a scope.

That is incredible.

That is NICE!

Sir, my hat's off to you for buildiing THIS as a bad weather, heavy brush rifle.

I want to see the one that you will only take out in the nice weather!

Absolutely beautiful rifle. Congratulations to its owner.

Wayne E.

That is great! As always, rifles from Duane Wiebe look like magic.

I shoot lever guns about 1/2 the time here in the Northern California Mountains. Typically the shots are less than 50 meters, or over 200. Having a larger round such as the 35 Whelen would be great. Is this a recent production 1895, or a period piece?

That's a pretty spiffy lookin' rig for a rainy-day beater.

I'm not much on lever rifles, other than .22's, but I must say that's a nice looking rifle. It'll be a great rifle for dark timber elk hunting or thick bush in Africa.

I'd like to see that one in person one day, Dave.

Truly beautiful. The buttstock, with the large cheekpiece, is very much like the configuration that TR preferred.

You have excellent taste. Congratulations.

333_OKH:

It is built on a Browning Model 1895 so it has modern steel, but does not have the funky safety and rebounding hammer that the new winchester guns do. As a matter of fact, I hunt a lot of heavy timber here in Northern California as well as around my parents ranch in Colorado which is why I had the gun built.

Forrest:

If you get to the ACGG show this year I will bring it over the hill for you to see.

mrlexma:

You nailed the configuration that I copied.

I am working up a relatively mild load for it based on the 250-grain Nosler Partition bullet at 2,400 fps using Reloader 15 powder. I happen to agree with Chic, "Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun." However, since it is not made of stainless steel and plastic, I hope this rifle doesn't melt in the rain !

That is one fine looking 95 the best I have ever seen.

Beautiful work and fantastic wood.

I admire a man's quality workmanship.

You have every right to be proud of this.

George

I would love to have that one !
I think the Whelen is an under apreciated round. With skill you could shoot Elk at 300 yards with the rifle.
Do you have a link to the smith ?

Wow, Dave. That is impressive.

Kyler

Thomas:

The gunsmith is Duane Wiebe and he does not have a website, but if you do a search of this forum you will find pictures of a lot of his work done for ForrestB. Duane can be reached by phone at (253) 535-0066.

Duane is great to work with and one of the most talented gunsmiths in the business. He is one of the rare ones who is truely a master metalsmith and a master stock maker. While Duane is best know for his bolt-action rifles and take-downs, he is equally talented at working on double guns, lever actions, etc.

Dave

WOW.....thanks, Dave for posting the pics. We don't often get to see a top end lever gun. Beautiful....

MKane160

quote:

Browning Model 1895 so it has modern steel, but does not have the funky safety and rebounding hammer that the new winchester guns do

Good information Dave. I just realized your in El Dorado. I have worked over there in the past on some owl research I was working on out of Placerville and Grizzly Flats.

I have to wonder why anyone would take a rifle like that out in "bad weather"?
Good luck!

A show piece ! I'd never use it ,except to take it out of the safe for show !

Hawkins and Concho:

I have a few really nice rifles that I have had built over the past 25 years, and I hunt them all in all kinds of weather. In my experience, if you are carefull to pre-wax them before going out in nasty weather, and excercise a little care in drying them after, they hold up just fine. Besides, a little honest wear does not significantly detract from the beauty of the rifle. It is sort of like a beautiful woman, as long as she takes care of herself if she was truly beautiful at 20, she will still be beautiful at 40 even with a few wrinkles; the wrinkles just add character.

WOW...that is a thing of beauty. I don't think I would have the cojones to take it out in bad weather though. Very nice

Great rifle Dave. Duane did an outstanding job.

Take that rifle in the rain and brush and use it in good health!

Dave:

I'd love to bring it up to Alaska and chase caribou with it. Maybe I could talk you into coming along with your Model 95 .411 Hawk.

Dave

Absolutely. Though I suspect for caribou, my choice would be the M70... The 95 does get lugged around where I expect bears, though.

One great looking peice of Wood (needs to Btt so others will look)