Nate Bishop Custom 416 Rigby - Info wtd about obscure Maker.

Hello All,

Every so often an Amazing Custom Rifle comes along. This rifle was talked about on another forum about 3 or 4 years ago. I have been following it for about that long, and finally convinced it to take up permanent residence here in Wisconsin.

My mission with this posting is two-fold - First, share the details of this marvelous custom rifle and what I know of its builder, Nate Bishop. And second, find if someone has any additional information about Nate.

The unique serial number and proof mark stamping show that this rifle started its life as a Military 1935 Chilean Mauser Carbine. It was no different than any other of the thousands made for Military Service. Its exact History is unknown - just another Oberndorf Mauser that was a WWII bring-back.

It originally looked like this:

In 1987, this common Military rifle, was transformed by Nate Bishop, a Master Gunmaker from Albuquerque, NM, into a Custom Safari Rifle in 416 Rigby Cal. Nate was a self taught Master. He told others he was inspired by the famed stock-maker, Leonard Mews.

Nate Bishop built this rifle for the American Custom Gunmakers Guild Show held in March, 1987. Nate signed and marked this stock as such in he barrel channel. It is not known if he was a member of the Guild at that time, building this rifle to show his skill, or if he was attempting to be accepted into the Guild by, building this rifle to show his skill.

It is amazing that this common Military Mauser Carbine, with its standard length action, could be so specially modified to take the "Super-Long" 416 Rigby cartridge. For the most part, all rifles in 416 Rigby caliber require "Magnum" length actions. This is not a "stretched and re-welded" action. Rather, this sleek beauty is Masterfully modified with custom bottom metal to encompass the cartridge. It tips the scales at a mere 8 pounds 12 ounces.

Nate often commented that this rifle was the "Best Quality" Custom Rifle that he had ever built. It was also one of his last.

Nate wrote articles on Custom Stock Making and Custom Gun Building in Guns Magazine from 1956 - 1962. He also wrote in Gun Digest in 1961 and 1969. He worked mostly with "Big Bore" Safari rifles and 416 Rigby was his favorite caliber.

Elmer Keith had several Custom Big-Bore Rifles that were built for him, or stocked for him, by Nate Bishop. Keith's "Gun Notes" in Guns Magazine often commented as such giving Nate praise.

If you know any details about Nate Bishop, or other rifles that he has built or stocked, please jump in and let us know.

The following photos show Nate's skill - with dozens of special nuances that he incorporated into this rifle.