Ordered New/Old Gibbs 505

Mark458 said:

Sounds like it's going to be a beautiful rifle. Look forward to seeing it. What's the build time?

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Sourdough said:

Well, like an addict, I had to order another gun, even though I'm trying to cut back on all my hunting and firearm related stuff. A few years ago while visiting my friend Richard Harland in Zimbabwe I got to see and hold his original Gibbs 505 and fell in love with it.

So during a moment of weakness I rang up Mark Crudgington of George Gibbs Ltd in England. Timing was excellent as Richard had just shared with Mark about our hunt with Buzz back in March so he was aware of who I was.

We chatted a bit on the phone and knowing my love of Old School traditional firearms he suggested making a 505 along the lines of Richards but without the Selous plate (I would love one but no idea who could actually make one today) that Richard's has and a 23" barrel instead of Richard's 26".

We will be using a Mayfair (UK) Magnum Mauser action. The barrel is one of the last 1950's Vickers 505 barrels. Stock will be straight grained but with a nice "Tiger Tail" pattern to it. No cheek piece.

Standard up/down hooded front sight with a three leaf rear sight, one fixed the others flip up. Mark wants to also add a flip up peep sight similar to the one Bror Blixen had on his Gibbs 505.

Entire rifle will finished as they were in the 1920s/30s using all the original tooling. Very excited.

Of course this means another Big 5 to be taken. Thought I was almost done hunting Africa (not really).

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Monski said:

That is beyond cool! I'm a fan of the 505 Gibbs and have one on a LH GMA based custom built by Wayne at AHR.

I once handled Barrie Duckworth's George Gibbs 505. Barrie is a friend of Richard Harlan from years back when both were with Rbodesian Parks. By coincidence their 505 rifles are consecutive serial numbers.

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Sourdough said:

Well, like an addict, I had to order another gun, even though I'm trying to cut back on all my hunting and firearm related stuff. A few years ago while visiting my friend Richard Harland in Zimbabwe I got to see and hold his original Gibbs 505 and fell in love with it.

So during a moment of weakness I rang up Mark Crudgington of George Gibbs Ltd in England. Timing was excellent as Richard had just shared with Mark about our hunt with Buzz back in March so he was aware of who I was.

We chatted a bit on the phone and knowing my love of Old School traditional firearms he suggested making a 505 along the lines of Richards but without the Selous plate (I would love one but no idea who could actually make one today) that Richard's has and a 23" barrel instead of Richard's 26".

We will be using a Mayfair (UK) Magnum Mauser action. The barrel is one of the last 1950's Vickers 505 barrels. Stock will be straight grained but with a nice "Tiger Tail" pattern to it. No cheek piece.

Standard up/down hooded front sight with a three leaf rear sight, one fixed the others flip up. Mark wants to also add a flip up peep sight similar to the one Bror Blixen had on his Gibbs 505.

Entire rifle will finished as they were in the 1920s/30s using all the original tooling. Very excited.

Of course this means another Big 5 to be taken. Thought I was almost done hunting Africa (not really).

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Scott CWO said:

Well, where do you suppose you will start the next Big 5? We would all love to hear your options and ideas.

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Wildwillalaska said:

Ha, you had me at Mayfair. Should prove and amazing rifle and excited to see it take shape…and read of its exploits in the field.

What kind of build time did they expect? With all these cool African rifles, sure wish you were still in Alaska. I’d have loved to look over your 450 #2, maybe even fire a pair. I keep getting the urge for a 577, but then go run a few rounds through my 505 Gibbs…it really tempers the urge for bigger. I used to think I was relatively recoil immune…until the Gibbs. I am tolerant to an extent…and the tolerance for repeated firings dwindles around the 505 realm. Such a cool cartridge though, can’t wait to see the build.

Cheers.

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