Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Big Nan

Got a kick out of the article in the recent issue of Sports Afield,about Alaskan Master Guide, Hal Waugh,and his rifle, BiG Nan....a pre 64 M70 barreled by Weatherby to the 375 Weatherby cartridge.Slick stock, too, but could not tell who stocked it for him.

Seems the rifle has BTDT as backup for clients in Waugh's career as Alaska's first Master Guide. Love reading about these old classic rifles and the guys who toted them.

Sounds like an article worth finding.I love looking at the pictures/reading of the old timers and their rifles(tools). Thanks for the heads up Bob.

Randy I think you will like it..

Should make the 375 Weatherby boys smile as well.

Johnny B has a great article on "backup" vs wounded game in the issue as well....the issue is a good one.Nice read.

Diane Rupp does a good job with that magazine IMHO.

I would not be shocked to learn that Big Nan was stocked by LEONARD MEWS,but that is a WAG on my part.

I enjoyed the story myself. On my many trips to Alaska, I've seen some truly abused back-up rifles. Most of these guns aren't blue, or stainless. They're a color that most closely approaches reddish-brown auto primer paint. They are tools, nothing more, nothing less.

Rustoleum was a often used as a firearms finish especially for those guiding near salt water.

read it yesterday......good article, as is John's

Hal Waugh was the real deal. Met him twice and never got to hunt with him.

Yep, Diana is doing wonders with SA. And good on her.

Bob,

If you-and others who like stories of the old days-have not read it, I think you would enjoy:

"Slim Moore" Alaska Master Guide" by Jim Rearden

Rearden has several good books out including Alaska's Wolf Man.

Big Nan is in a local gun shop. Bearhuntr and I have been planning to take pics and make a post. Still will. Just 'stuff' gets in the way.

ironbender it would be great to see you guys with Big Nan....that would be a hoot!

battue thanks I will look into that book.

Anyone know who made the stock for this rifle?

Another better than good read. Frank Glasser, from pics looked like a little man, but was a giant in his own lifetime. His stories of surviving in unforgiving conditions are inspiring. From the book I got the impression he was one extremely tough yet gentle man.

When at his end and hearing the Wolves was a little spooky.

I suppose we now have a bit more motivation!

The current owner may have more history on the rifle. Hopefully Bearhuntr sees this thread and adds to it.


I'll give the slacker a call!

One of the reasons I enjoyed hunting with Ed Stevenson was to see and talk to him about his various custom model 1895 and 71 rifles in various big bore wildcat rifles. He, too is the real deal. If I had the health and cash to journey up there again I would love to hunt with Ed again. I see his advertisements in American Hunter so it looks like he is still guiding. He was 74 when I hunted with him back in '04!

Ed is still at it - although a bit slower than in the past.

Bob, thanks for the heads up on the Sports Afield article. Cool old rifle....seems like it had had 6 different stocks in the course of it's career.

Now if we could only see some color pictures of Andy Runyans old .404 Barnes-Johnson.

I still kick myself for not buying Andy's "walking around gun", a custom .358 Win. It appeared in the Turpin Road gun shop in Anchorage when Steve Berg still owned the place. Andy had traded it in on something else.

I had the honor of joining Uncas in teaching a CHL class to Andy and some other old guides and neighbors at Andy & June's house on Lake Louise a number of years ago. The inside of their house was a treasure trove of Alaskan guiding history.

Ed

Dave no problem....I think many guys on here enjoy the old classic rifles with some history.

Absolutely.

I have read Hal Waugh's biography several times and it seams that he had that rifle restocked several times. I thought he bought new stocks from Winchester when he stocked it. Seems like he had a custom seal pup case for it too.