John was a life-long mentor and dear friend. He passed away two years ago, and I still miss him immensely. I met him in the fall of 1991, when he stopped to see his son (my roommate) at the University of Idaho. He was on his way back to his home state of Alaska, from his first, (and unsuccessful) guided Wyoming elk hunt.

We immediately hit it off. He stayed with us for a week, and kept us well stocked in pizza and Bud Light. He was a recently retired long-haul truck driver, and was old-school cool. He wore Levi 501s, long sleeve Pendleton shirts, cowboy boots, and a true "trucker" hat that read "Colt" every single day I knew him...save those days we shared in elk-camp.

He was not wealthy, and in fact drove the same 20-year old Ford truck and lived in a very modest home for the two decades we were friends. He loved fine rifles though, and had acquired several over the years. He had forgotten more about guns, loads, and hunting than I'll ever know, and I could see as much even at the ignorant age of 19. He would later show me a photo-album full of moose, caribou, and Dall sheep taken in the wilds of Alaska with no help from anyone except the pilot that ferried him to and from his favorite hunting grounds.

I invited him out the following fall to join us in elk-camp, where he shot an excellent 6x6 off of the Lochsa River. He was immensely proud of that bull, and had every reason to be considering it grossed over 300 was taken on an OTC, general season unit.

He brought down his two most beloved rifles with him that first year. One was a .338 Win, and the other a .280 Rem…both in pre-64 actions, beautiful stocks, custom barrels, and Jewel triggers. I would sit on the couch and work the action of those rifles for hours when he stayed with me/us, which more or less came to be an annual in the years that followed.

I have always favored stainless Remington 700s in lightweight platforms wearing McMillan stocks, which stood in stark contrast to the beautiful treasures he took afield. I admired how he actually hunted with his rifles though, unlike so many other beautiful wood and blued rifles I knew of that were left behind in safes. One of the last photos he sent me was of him kneeling beside a beautiful Dall sheep and his .280 laying across the animal at the ripe old age of 62 in some of the most rugged country I had ever seen. John was a badazz, and I am still in awe of how hard he hunted even at a relatively advanced age.

Ironically enough, his own son (Ben) was never really interested in hunting/guns, and rarely engaged in our discussions…though the two of them enjoyed a relationship that would make any father/son envious. Two days ago Ben contacted me to say he was coming through my hometown of Boise, and had something from his dad he was dropping off. I was completely and totally shocked to learn that John had willed he beloved .280 to me. It is literally the finest rifle I have ever laid my hands on, and working the action just now brought tears to my eyes as I remembered the many great times we shared over the years.

I know at least one of his guns was an Al Biesen built gun, but I can't for the life of me remember if this .280 was that particular gun or not. It doesn't really matter though, as it was John's gun and that's plenty for me.

I think when October rolls around this year, I'll make an exception to my own, favored .280, and take Johns rifle along instead. It scares me to death to drag the damn thing into the wilds of Idaho, but I know he wouldn't have it any other way. Forgive the chitty photos, but the rifle's beauty still comes through imho…

Great story, and awesome rifle... It does look like a Biesen, but I have only seen a couple.. Not to worry about hunting with that rifle.. Folks hunt with wood stocks for years.. They have beauty and character something plastic will never have.. Plus you can touch up minor marks if you choose, but to me that builds the character of the rifle..
Enjoy and remember your pal.. He is happy you are hunting with his rifle.

Beautiful rifle and a great reminder of a treasured friendship.

If it is a Biesen, it should say so on top of the barrel. The Biesen website tells how to identify the real Biesen rifles.

I do not believe that is a Biesen, the shape is wrong. But that doesn't lessen the rifle one bit!

Excellent treasure...

Beautiful story and rifle. Thanks for sharing. When you hunt with that rifle, you'll know what we talk about when we say a rifle has soul because that one definitely has it!!

Beautiful rifle and what a memory to carry. Good luck with it.

It never ceases to amaze me just how much of an impression we can make in another's life by simply sharing our passions. Great story and a real treasure in that rifle and the memories it will bring you time after time.

Great post, the type of post I wish we saw more of here. Beauty of a rifle, wonderful back story, and well written to boot. Thanks for sharing.

We have all had friends/mentors that we admired and enjoyed spending time with in the field. Your story reminds me of one in particular. It brings back great memories. Thanks for sharing your story.

+1 . Dave that rifle has tons of mojo , your friend would be upset if you didn't use it .

Great story and a Grand rifle. I hope you get a chance at a big one with it.

That's a beautiful rifle! Nothing beats using a rifle that has a heart and soul.

Great story and rifle, Dave.
That one isn't meant to be but a mere remembrance - John had a plan for that one and it's not meant to spend it's existence in the safe.


Alas, you finally have a rifle you're not permitted to churn.

That's a heck of a nice rifle, and a great story with it as well. I hope you have much luck with that one, hoping for your post this fall showing it propped up on a critter or 2!!

Your new rifle is not a Biesen BUT it may have been built by a very well regarded builder of that era. I need to have a close look and can tell you. I am very familiar with the builders of that period. Send a PM and we can get together.

Biesen or not, Dave. Shoot it, hunt it, treasure it!

Paul

+2 ...

Dave,

What a great story. Thanks for sharing it with us. I've know several older fellas like that and perhaps I should share a story or two in a new thread. Of course the gift of such a beautiful rifle makes for a story long to remember,

I hope you get the chance to draw blood with it this fall, it would only be fitting.

Thanks for all the kind words gentlemen.I spent a couple of hours today drinking a Bud-light (or two), and just working the action. Man it's a nice stick.

I think what I'm most excited about is that my 12-year old son (Rowdy) had the good fortune to meet him a couple of times over the years, so he knows what a big deal this is for me. Rowdy already asked me if maybe he could use it on the relatively easy doe tag he drew this November. I think John would have loved that and I'll oblige both their wishes this fall.

Dave,
that's about as good as life gets with regards to friends, rifles and hunting. When it comes to material things my rifles are on the top of my list and I can only hope they bring joy to my kids/grandkids/friends when my time comes.
Really, thanks for sharing such a wonderful gift/pictures...you are blessed and will know the true joy of caring such a rifle afield...and built based on the best action, it couldn't get any better!

Hope that you hunt with that fine rifle and that when afield with it may it bring back memories of campfires and hunts shared with your special friend.

Very gorgeous rifle sir, you should be very proud to carry it in the field.

Consider yourself blessed. Those friendships are few and far between. The fact that you have a piece like that to add to your memories of your friend is a nice bonus.

+1

Beautiful heirloom rifle.

Too few people understand the significance of what happened with that rifle, John, Ben and you; though, that's okay--you clearly get it.

Enjoy.

Great story thanks

IDdave, nice story and good photos....by the way, I guess you know, along with the rifle is a vintage 1907 sling. Very 'old school' and looks perfect with that beautiful stock. Good Hunting.

Hope you take a fine bull with that rifle.
Your friend will be smiling--

Wow, that's a good story! Hunt that thing.

280's are easy to appreciate.

You made my day with that story. Hunt that rifle it has a lot of character and function. Jack O'Connor had one Alaska Gunsmith make a stock for him. It looks the type. google Jay Frazier.

Thanks for sharing that.

That rifle looks very much like a Keith Stegall build, especially the stock.
Great memories and a fitting tribute to a great friend.

She's a beaut!

Thanks for sharing.

Update...a fellow campfire member and good friend of John's from Alaska contacted me and informed me the rifle was built by a gentleman named Jay Frazier.

Apparently Mr. Frazier is a resident of Idaho. Small world on both ends of this thing.

Many thanks for the discussion Ed. Hope to see you this fall.

Dave