Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Got to fondle an old Model 70 yesterday...

...in 375 Weatherby, for the third time! Dreaming again😎

How ‘bout pics and story of the “big” gal?

Big Nan I’m guessing. Very cool

Marks story/pics if he is able to tell.

Was on my way home a few evenings ago and remembered to stop by a small ammo shop. I needed at least another 100 LBT's to feed the Bisley. Looking over their stock I found none about so headed over to their bargain counter. My eyes went right to an older box of Winchester Super X in 375 H&H. Took it over to the fella at the counter and asked if I could open it and take a look. He agreed and I did. The 300 grain Silver Tips were as pristine as a could be. No tarnish or rub marks anywhere. The tag said 30 bones so didn't haggle at all.

That evening I emailed a couple of friends about said box and Bill answered back that he would like to have them for an upcoming moose hunt. I told him that I couldn't think of a better thing to do with that box then give them to him. We met yesterday at my shop and Bill popped in with a gift of some (real) antique rounds as a swap. He also brought in a rifle case that I knew would be filled with "the" big 375 in it.

As we talked about "Big Nan" and some of it's history, Bill explained the full story of how he (and his father-in-law David) came into possession of this rugged rifle. No time to tell that now so I might just leave that up to Bill. This all however, ties in to the reason for picking up the box of Silver tips in the first place. As we talked, Bill explained that the history of Big Nan and Hal Waugh was somewhat recorded in writing already. Bill had the thought that it "might be interesting to find out (in book form) the post history of the rifle and it's being used for Alaskan hunting since Hal's passing.

The plan for this year's chapter (so to say) will be next month's moose hunt back at the old family stomping grounds near Eagle Alaska, where his family and Hal's lived as neighbors. The older ammo will be a tribute to Hal in a way, if by nothing else, as a copy of one of the boxes that was in some of the things he was given with the rifle.

I have to say that it was very neat to (after a dozen years had passed) to work the action and aim through the peep site once more. If I imagined that I was aiming at the chest of a 9' plus brownie, I can only expect you gents would understand...

bhtr

I wondered where "Big Nan" ended up. I used to see it when I stopped by the Brown Bear Gun Shop & Museum. Owner David Thorton was a good old Alaskan and I miss him. In the book on Hal he stated he had trouble keeping a stock on Big Nan because of the recoil. I never understood that as a well bedded wooden stock has been proven to handle recoil on rifles bigger then "Big Nan" and the .375 Weatherby chambering. Ya got me.

I think his wife Julies Pre-64 Featherweight .308Win. and a seal skin scabbard were there also. Hal also spoke highly of the .358 Win. Any way, I am glad "Big Nan" is back to making gut piles again.

I wrote an article on Big Nan titled "Big Nan and the Master Guide" that appeared in the July-August issue of Sports Afield. If any of you are interested in any additional info on the rifle, I'd be happy to share any of the things I learned in my research. Just send me an e-mail.

Dan Peterson

1Ak,
Below is a link to an article local reporter and author Clark Fair wrote (in 2009) regarding David Thornton and his building of the store/museum. You may know much of this already but thought you might enjoy it non-the-less.

Best, Mark

Brown Bear Gun Shop and Museum

Never saw that before, mark. Thanks.

Welcome Mike. On a side note, if I emailed you some pictures could you figure out how to get the suckers on here?

Yup.

One of these days I"ll stumble into an old well used well worn old gun like this when I have money. Just because....I think they are cool

Here I thought you meant Raquel, or Briget, from our age group.....

What a tease you are!

las,

You might file this to the "too much information" bin: Raquel always did it for me😎😉

I took a lot of photos and measurements of Big Nan this spring as the APHA is planning on auctioning off a duplicate of it next winter for their Tools of the Legends honoring of Hal Waugh. I already have the same early vintage pre 64 M-70 rebored to 375 Wby and am looking for someone to do the stock.
If someone wants to post some photos of it I will be glad to email them.
I know Hal was tall and was surprised that Big Nan has only a 13 1/4" LOP
The same as my old 458 - which I photographed along side Big Nan.

Well then, it looks like she wasn't terribly selective.

Maybe she was- just had poor taste.

Phil,
I have sent Mike (Ironbender) some pics of the stock and he will post them as soon as he arrives back from Fairbanks either this evening or tomorrow. I understand what you are asking and can get very specific pictures from Bill E. (owner) when he returnes from his family hunt in a couple of weeks.

Do I assume correctly that you have been in contact with Bill this spring then? I am certain that he will be interested in your helping that project come off if he hasn't already stated so. Please let me know how I might help and I will be glad to...

Best,
Mark

Why you couple of jabronies, I aught to....😀

Lol get them jabronis Mark


Where’s the pix ironbender?

And send me your email so I can send pix of those sheep horns 👍🏻

In fbks. You don’t call, you don’t write 😫

Well you jabroni I aught to....

I bet he was coughs up in a road closure...
Why he didn't call etc...give him more of the "he-double- hockey sticks" he deserves! Just don't tell him I said so....🤫

"Bender, rollin' incognito with aviators on.
Merle growlin' on the radio.

,


Sometimes we think we’re having a quake here, but it’s just the Chuck Norris of the peninsula rollin into town, with his aviators on, even at night.

Kenai Norris. It has a certain ring to it don’t it?

Not many guys can bend iron 🤷🏻‍♂️

Sorry for the delay. Sometimes life gets in the way of plans.

Here are the pics Mr. bearhntr sent me.

Tks Kenai Norris 👍🏻

👍😎

Btw I see you gave me a dose of my own meds.

Tasted like chit 🤮

In my defense, it wasn't deliberate. Flat did not have time.

Woulda if I coulda.

Looks OK......... for a used gun!

"Patina" you would not know it if it left a wrinkle on your forehead!

LOL that you think he has a forehead.

With my bare hands.

With my bear hands.

Whoa! You are kinda big and bearish.
Shoulda seen it before.
I understand the firm but rude thing now.

I've not met this gentleman before but I kinda like the way he thinks😉

Stalkers or fan club?

Anyone know for sure?

Hey! I have the longest forehead ever. Goes all the way down my back to where I keep my brains.

That would make it an afthead, no?

I often have after thoughts.

Some years ago I stopped in there and asked if I could handle "Big Nan". He was more than generous in letting me do so. I enjoyed looking over the seal skin scabbard as well. He told me that the rifle had been in custody of UAF museum, but had been repossessed by Mrs. Waugh because it wasn't being valued, and of course, he ended up with it. All in all a great experience, as that rifle seemed to give give off "vibes" of many great past experiences in the Alaska which no longer exists.

Nice rifle but not to old as it has the new style safety. Peep sight looks like the one I took off my pre war Model 70 300 H&H quality guns and for what it's worth if I ever need a dangerous game rifle, I would have a Model 70 in my hands.

I was always curious if this rifle had the single recoil lug and if it is what prompted the addition of the barrel mounted lug? Or was it the introduction of the 458 that prompted this change?

Who did the stock? If it weren't for the flair to the pistol grip it would be a true classic style. Any more specs on the rifle? I guess I should track down the Big Nan article or if anyone has a link it would be appreciated. I really enjoyed the Hal Waugh book. Doe's anyone know how many bears he shot with the 358 mannlicher? Where did this rifle end up?