Winslow Arms Custom Rifle - Brevex Magnum Mauser 378 Wby Mag

Hello folks.

I have just added another Brevex Magnum Mauser rifle to my collection. And this one is a real Beauty.

It is a Winslow Arms Company Custom Commander Model with a Bushmaster Stock chambered in 378 Weatherby Magnum caliber, and it is built on a Brevex Magnum Mauser action.

This rifle was built in early 1965, Winslow's 2nd year in business. A large magnum caliber like the 378 Wby Mag required a large magnum action, hence the Brevex. During the early years of Weatherby's production of their 378 Mag chambering, they used Brevex Magnum Mauser actions. They used the Brevex Magnum actions for their 378 Mag rifles exclusively right up until the time that they built their own Magnum action, the Mark V.

A study of the Winslow Arms production records shows that only "one" rifle was built in 378 Weatherby Magnum caliber; and only "one" rifle was built on a Brevex Magnum Mauser action. Given this fact, it is likely that Winslow Arms acquired this as a barreled action direct from Roy Weatherby.

This makes this Winslow rifle a double "one-of-a-kind" ...... a "one-of-a-kind" caliber, built on a "one-of-a-kind" action.

This Winslow rifle is a rather plain version as compared to most other Custom Winslow rifles of the day. It has a Bushmaster stock, rather than the fancier Plainsmaster stock. It was the Plainsmaster stock that had the sweeping radical features of the wide forend, the oversize grip cap, and the raking comb. The Bushmaster by comparison has a more traditional look, similar that of a standard Weatherby rifle. Still very fancy, but not "over-the-top" like most of the other Winslow rifles.

This rifle was also a Model "A" which indicated no fancy checkering, and no fancy inlays. The rifle has only an ivory inlay diamond in the bottom of the rosewood grip cap, and an ivory Winslow Crest inlay in the bottom of the rosewood tipped forend. The 4-panel skip-line checkering is a slightly fancier variation of a lighting pattern.

The rifle is topped with a German made Weatherby 2-7 scope.

Production records and the registration card indicate that the rifle was ordered/built in early 1965 and purchased on August 30th of that year by a man in Long Beach, California. It was purchased direct from Winslow Arms, Venice, Florida, and not through a dealer. Direct sales were not uncommon as dealer sales were not required until after the gun-control-act of 1968.

When examining the action, you can see the details of the Brevex design, gas port hole, bullet nose clearance groove, things that I noticed in the rifle's internet listing. The listing made no mention of it being a Brevex Magnum Mauser action. This is the 6th time I've found a Brevex that was unknown to the seller. The bottom of the action also stamped with the "M400" action designation, the Brevex "No. 353" action serial number, and the "BV" BreVex logo stamp. The action has a Sportsman M98-FNB adjustable trigger by FN.

The action is marked with the Winslow Arms Co. Trade Mark and the serial number. The bottom of the barrel is marked with Winslow's assembly number and the chambering. The side of the barrel is also marked with the chambering.

Your comments are most welcome.