Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ralph Payne

For any of the old timers around Bozeman.
Ralph Payne, a long time and well known gunsmith from Gallatin Gateway passed away May 19 in Ennis, MT. He was 91.
His wife, Bernice, followed him 11 days later, passing on May 31.

Never met him, and no clue who you're talking about, but I'm saddened every time I hear of another old school 'smith passing.

R.I.P. Mr. Payne. I never knew of him either but it's sad to see the loss of old gunsmiths. I've known a couple of those old school craftsmen in my life and they were a special breed.

Sorry to hear that.

I was born and raised in Bozeman, but never knew him.

Wow! I didn’t know he was still alive. His son John still smiths in Gateway. John is really a nice guy, too bad about Ralph…

Ralph was a very good gunsmith, especially with the old classic guns . He liked the old Winchester pre 64 model 70s , 88s, and model 12s. He worked on a model 88 358 for me years ago and come to fine out that he was involved in writing the repair manuals for that gun when it came on the market. Really knew his stuff. His son John is a good gun smith too. RIP Ralph.

Ralph and Bernice were great people. Ralph had his own line of "short/fat' magnums back in the 1960's. There's a get-together to celebrate them this afternoon at Gateway.