My new favorite rifle; Al Biesen Model 70.

[Trey Veston]

I inherited this from my dad's estate last week and was hoping he hadn't sold it.

He had this rifle built by world-renowned gunsmith, Al Biesen, who happened to live 75 miles from him and who dad had many rifles built by over the years. Sadly, today he only left two in his collection.

This one was commissioned in 1974 as a Jack O'Connor tribute rifle and my dad's weapon of choice for his two North American Grand Slams.

The rifle cost him $764, which in today's money, is $4900. Not a great investment, as the rifle is valued today at around $9,000. Priceless to me, however.

It was the most engraved rifle my dad had built, and is the most beautiful. And it actually went on dozens of hunts and shows honest use. It will be passed down for generations, I hope.

 

[.38 Special]

What a perfect thing!

 

[Txhillbilly]

That's a beauty! Sorry to hear about your dad passing, I lost mine last October.

 

[kidneyboy]

Wow! Just the right amount of engraving and beautifully done.

 

[rust collector]

Fabulous gun. That it shows wear from your dad's use is an added attraction, but I would have a tough time hunting with something so beautiful.

 

[earlthegoat2]

A true masterpiece. Biesen was known for making very attractive rifles that, though striking to behold, would still hold up aesthetically to serious hunting.

 

[H&Hhunter]

There’s a lot to love in that rifle!

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Sorry for your loss.
That is a beautiful rifle.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Stunning!

And its in a commonly available, easy shooting, and versatile cartridge, unlike so many bespoke safari rifles....love it!

 

[Nature Boy]

Top tier!

 

[Litetrigger]

A Biesen rifle is always a treasure. Your's is exceptionally nice.

 

[tubeshooter]

My condolences on your dad.

That is a beautiful rifle there... very nice indeed.
Thanks for sharing some pictures with us.

 

[Slamfire]

Wow! Eye popping wood and engravings! And it is in the classic Jack O'Connor cartridge: the 270 Win.

To duplicate something like that now, I am sure the price would be even higher, adjusted for inflation.

 

[I6turbo]

That's about as beautiful as a rifle can get, and a perfect chambering for it, and a touching back-story, IMO.

Congratulations on the rifle, and my condolences regarding your dad.

 

[Gun-Reck]

A timeless treasure of unimaginable value.

Take good care of it.

How could one ever take that rifle into the field.

 

[Pat Riot]

Wow!

 

[Speedo66]

Wow! Eye popping wood and engravings! And it is in the classic Jack O'Connor cartridge: the 270 Win.

To duplicate something like that now, I am sure the price would be even higher, adjusted for inflation.

Assuming you could even find someone capable of replicating something like that.

OP, sorry about your father.

 

[tark]

Condolences on your Dad. He obviously was a man of impeccable good taste. He is in a better place, now.

Les Baer, my old boss, has a saying to describe absolute perfection; "That's the cat's ass, baby!!!"

And that describes your rifle...exactly...

 

[marksman13]

I am truly sorry for your loss. Losing your dad is tough for any man. That rifle won’t ever replace him, but trust me when I tell you that you’ll feel connected to him every time you use it or even touch it.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Gorgeous gun, Al and later Roger were true craftsmen.

 

[horsemen61]

@Trey Veston


I am sorry to hear of the Loss of your Father


That rifle is Breathtaking let me tell you it is the inspiration for a rifle of my own like that!

 

[DustyGmt]

That is a sight to behold. Hard to imagine how to go up from there, about as good as it gets. The very ornate beauty of these guns wears off quickly and makes me want to yawn when I think about the gun sitting as a safe queen but seeing some honest use on a gun as beautiful as that tickles me.

But now it's a very sentimental piece as well, so I understand putting something up for those reasons. Think you might bring it on hunts?

 

[adcoch1]

Trey, sorry for the loss of your father, it is a tragedy, but thank you for sharing his rifle with us. That is a true piece of art that should be shared and gently used. Go shoot it in his honor.

 

[Hugger-4641]

You are double blessed!
My grandparents raised me and I didn't end up with any of his guns. But I did end up with his Allis Chalmers tractor and his JR2. It brings back memories every time I use them. May it be as well for you.
After you are gone, it is not likely to mean as much to anyone as it does to you right now. That may change if you make some memories with your kids or grandkids. Go hunt with it and make new memories.

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

His nephew was a US COAST GUARD senior chief corpsman, and I had the honor to know and work with him in Kodiak, ALASKA, in 1977 and 1978. We are both retired from the COAST GUARD now, and he could do a pretty good job of building a rifle himself. His dad was a partner of AL BIESEN and was also his brother. He decided after growing up around all that in his youth , he wanted to do something else.
He built a European style double trigger rifle, and I almost bought that gun, and now I wish I had.