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Forums10
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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23 |
Gentlemen, I just acquired a R. G. Owen 7x57 rifle built on a commercial FN action from 1950. S/N is 5000 under the barrel. I assume it was built while he was living in Port Clinton, Ohio. It has the 100 & 200 yard flip up leaf sights on an engraved base and the std. Owen style hooded front sight. Receiver, floorplate, and back quarter of barrel are heavily engraved with deep relief scroll. Beautiful fleur-di-lis and ribanded checkering on pistol grip and forend. Can anyone tell me who was engraving his rifles in that time frame and anything else from his Port Clinton days? Thanks, Sandlapper
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 787 Likes: 141
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 787 Likes: 141 |
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 338 Likes: 58
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 338 Likes: 58 |
I was watching that auction. Beautiful rifle. Congratulations
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23 |
Thank you. I've followed the late Mike Petrov's discussions about all the best American custom makers, and read his two books, but there isn't much information on Owen after WW2. I've seen and contemplated buying, a two-barrelled 20 gauge Belgian sidelock with Owen's name and Port Clinton address several years ago, but haven't a clue what he offered or how many guns he built in that time period. I find it strange Owen never had any sort of brochure that advertised his varied offerings, and have seen Austrian, Belgian, German, and English manufactured shotguns stocked by him at various times in his career, as well as the commercial '98 Mauser actioned rifles along with his Springfields before WW2, and FN commercial Mausers after the war. Anyway, whatever anyone could add to the discussion would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Sandlapper
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1 member likes this:
CJF |
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 567 Likes: 14
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 567 Likes: 14 |
Nice rifle. Quite a few Owen rifles are illustrated in Roy Dunlap's Gunsmithing book. Might be worth picking up a copy if you do not already have one.
John
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23 |
Gasgunner, Thank you for the heads up; I have Crossman & Dunlap's 1952 Book of the Springfield where both fellows discuss Owen at length, but I 'll get a copy of Gunsmithing. Sandlapper
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23 |
Thanks for your pictures and description of that beautiful Owen rifle. Besides the ornamentation, my rifle and this one are very similar. What I love about Owen's stockwork is the spareness of them; no excess wood, but everything you need.I was rereading one of Mr. Petrov's Owen threads on this site, and he had a picture of one of Owen's catalogs or brochures of his offerings. Does anyone know who or where a copy of one of these might be found? I would love to see the options as well as original prices. Anyway, thanks again, Sandlapper
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 300 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 300 Likes: 1 |
Sandlapper, I was at that auction and had the pleasure to examine and handle your new treasure in person. Beautiful rifle and I hope you are happy with it. I managed to snag lots 84 and 108 and am quite happy. Thaine
It ain't ignorance that does the most damage, it's knowing so derned much that ain't so! J. Billings
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1 member likes this:
PhysDoc |
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 364 Likes: 23 |
Thaine, Thanks for your input; I'm supposed to pick it up tomorrow and I haven't been this expectant over a firearm in quite awhile. The only thing they didn't show a pic of was the buttplate, so I hope it wasn't too bad. 7x57 is my favorite caliber to boot. Sandlapper
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