Value? 505 Gibbs H Dumoulin & Fils-Milmort-Liege-Made in Belgium

[grand veneur]

It all depends on the Action of the rifle. I suspect this one is the Brevex400 as it has a solid side wall and is drilled on the front reciever to allow loading. I would say this rifle if it functions well and shoots straight is worth the price of any well made custom gun. I have a few such DG rifles that are not collectors grade but good honest working guns that were made with a bit more love that the run of the mill CZ. $8k minimum. I have a Few Belgium made rifles - they are all well made.

I may be wrong, but in my opinion it is not a Brevex action.

 

[buckstix]

I may be wrong, but in my opinion it is not a Brevex action.

I think you are correct - a photo of the "bottom" of the action would confirm this.

 

[PCC600]

I appreciate everyone’s responses. My father and I went on Safari back in 2008 in Tanzania where we spent a little over a month. Memories and experiences that will stay with me for a lifetime. The rifle belonged to the gentleman who we hunted with. He was of British Descent and had been organizing hunts for many decades. My father had it imported through a FFL. Upon his passing he left it to me. As I may never return to experience Africa in that capacity again; I have no need for a rifle of that caliber. I have several rifles that had memories including my Kreighoff .470 which was my rifle of choice. But I also had a .458 Lott which was my go to choice. The .505 is unique in its own way and it is great to look at. But I would feel better if it could make its way into the hands of someone who will appreciate not only its beauty but something someone would take back to Africa on a Safari of their own.

That is a very very nice rifle . I have two 505 Gibbs rifles one of which is very similar to yours but with a 25 inch barrel . I am in Australia with no idea of the US market for rifles but I do think it is a valuable rifle . It also has a lot of family history for you .

 

[PCC600]

Thank for sharing the additional information, the rifle does definitely have an interesting story. It’s great to hear you want to ensure it returns to Africa.

I think even an expert (which I am not) would have trouble putting a price on it as it’s very unique. I have not seen a Dumoulin like it. Three especially interesting points (at least to me) is the magazine locking mechanism and the lack of sling attachment points and 22” barrel. One of the more interesting DG rifles I have seen in a long time.

The caliber is a double edged sword, it’s worth more because it’s a 505, but less people are in the market for that caliber. All that being said I would hazard a guess it’s not worth less than 10k, probably more. If the gentleman your father got it from was a hunter of note, that could also be a factor.

The magazine floorplate locking mechanism is very interesting . I often read in forums of fingers hitting the magazine release knob on the trigger guard in heavy recoiling rifles ( has never happened to me ) . I guess the lever is there to stop it happening . Belt and braces approach .

 

[Sarg]

Beautiful rifle you have there, I will be watching with interest as my buddy has two very high end Dumoulin rifles to sell, one a .500Jeff with & the other a 9.3x62.

Actually ill take some photos & put up a thread, he has many high end rifles to move on shortly, from Ruger No1 - Model 70s to the Dumoulins.

 

[VertigoBE]

Would love to hear your insights @buckstix on how you recognise a Brevex action.

 

[jasvandiv]

@buckstix pointed me in the right direction. Went to a local well recommended gunsmith who removed the action. Upon immediately looking at the bolt the gunsmith stated it was a Mauser Action. But curiosity got the best of him and he spent a few minutes and removed the action; confirming that it is not a Brevex Action. @buckstix mentioned measuring the distance between the two mounting screws for the action and bolt length as well. There were a couple of other observations as well to distinguish the two but those seemed the most prominent including the stamping on the bottom side of the action which I’ve attached photos.

 

[buckstix]

Would love to hear your insights @buckstix on how you recognise a Brevex action.

Only about 450 brevex actions are known to have been produced. Here are some basic indicators of a brevex action (first pic) - but the most reliable indicator is the factory stamping on the bottom of the action (second pic) factory serial number, brevex BV logo, M stamp - M300 is 375 H&H bolt face, M400 is the 416 Rigby/460 Wby/505 Gibbs/similar large bolt face, M500 (very rare) has been seen in only 2 rifles in 505 Gibbs cal. - there have been occasions where the factory stamping has been removed, so other factors must be verified, i.e. trigger-guard hole spacing. My information is based on observations from the 18 rifles in my brevex collection. (last pic) - and I am actively looking to add number 19 to my collection.

 

[VertigoBE]

Only about 450 brevex actions are known to have been produced. Here are some basic indicators of a brevex action (first pic) - but the most reliable indicator is the factory stamping on the bottom of the action (second pic) factory serial number, brevex BV logo, M stamp - M300 is 375 H&H bolt face, M400 is the 416 Rigby/460 Wby/505 Gibbs/similar large bolt face, M500 (very rare) has been seen in only 2 rifles in 505 Gibbs cal. - there have been occasions where the factory stamping has been removed, so other factors must be verified, i.e. trigger-guard hole spacing. My information is based on observations from the 18 rifles in my brevex collection. (last pic) - and I am actively looking to add number 19 to my collection.

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Thank you @buckstix

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I do believe that this is one of the later made Dumoulin rifles (post 1986 manufacture) which is built on a modified China made AN2000 action. Should be still extremely solid built.