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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
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buckstix
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Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names?
      #238231 - 23/11/13 11:29 AM

UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names?

Hello All,

I recently acquired this wonderful 505 Gibbs. I was told it had South African Heritage, but I'm not sure. It appears to me to be a Brevex Action, due primarily to the markings on the action's bottom; "M 400" but again, I'm not sure. Perhaps the "VB" monogram will be recognized by someone.

Based on the patina of the recoil pad and the stock, I think this rifle was originally built in the 1950's, and had a "face-lift" to its current configuration in the 1970's. (There is evidence that the action once had a side mount.)

Here is all the scoop in hopes that someone might know the maker, or the markings. Ask additional questions as required ...... thanks

The rifle is a 505 Gibbs caliber, Square Bridge Magnum Mauser that has hand engraved on the center top of the barrel:

"Customized by C. S. Labuschagne"

On the top of the barrel very near the muzzle it is hand engraved:

"Bundock"

On the bottom edge of the engraved floor-plate, nearest the trigger guard, it is hand engraved:

"A. D. Winkler" (he is the engraver)

On the brass escutcheon that is inlaid into the bottom of the stock, it is hand engraved:

"CSL" (I'm assuming its C. S. Labuschagne's initials)

On the bottom of the trigger guard it is hand engraved:

"1014"

On the left side of the receiver it is hand engraved:

"1014 / 505 Gibbs"

The left side of the barrel has the number "1014" stamped.

The bottom of the action is stamped"

"M400" "4.2" "VB" (monogram)

I can find no other markings on this rifle.

Other specifications are:

Barrel Length - 21"
Weight - 9lbs 12 oz
LOP - 14-1/8"

Quarter Rib w/ single standing rear site
Rib is cut for Warren Rings (Scout-rifle position for scope)
Folding hood front site
Grip Cap Trap


Here are the pictures














--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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gryphon
.450 member


Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238233 - 23/11/13 11:36 AM

It couldnt be the good Doctor could it? Sth Africa.


Labuschagne C S Dr
Address Suite 194 Private Bag X 01 BRANDHOF 9324

--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: gryphon]
      #238235 - 23/11/13 11:46 AM

Hello gryphon,

That is exactly what I am hoping to find out. According to the engraving, C.S. Labuschagne actually did the customizing.

It says "Customized by" - not "Customized for" ...

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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pjaln
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Reged: 08/06/06
Posts: 709
Loc: massachusetts ,U.S.A.
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238236 - 23/11/13 11:51 AM

was this from cabelas..paul

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: pjaln]
      #238238 - 23/11/13 12:56 PM

Hello pjlan,

It was at the local Cabelas here in Wisconsin.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238240 - 23/11/13 01:19 PM

Very nice gun indeed.

Good pick up.

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AkMike
.416 member


Reged: 19/11/05
Posts: 2576
Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: 500Nitro]
      #238242 - 23/11/13 03:33 PM

That is a very nice looking rifle Bucky! Good Score!!
How's it shoot?

--------------------
"When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; you may know that your society is doomed." Ayn Rand

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: AkMike]
      #238243 - 23/11/13 03:47 PM

Hello AkMike,

Quote:

How's it shoot?



Well, I didn't have any brass, bullets, or reloading dies, so I had to improvise.

(if anyone has any of these things that they'd part with, let me know)

I reshaped the heads on some 577-500 BELL brass, to make a 505 case with a shorter neck. I neck sized them with the 577-500 dies, and popped in some 350 grain gas-checked woodleigh bullets, on top of IMR 4198. I'm thinking my load was only in about the 1800fps - 1900fps range.

Shot a 2" 50yd group using the iron sites.

Not an elephant killer, but LOTS OF FUN!

Now if only someone would recognize the markings, so I'd know what I have.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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500Boswell
.400 member


Reged: 21/07/06
Posts: 1276
Loc: Queensland
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238245 - 23/11/13 04:37 PM

French Brevex

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jvw
.300 member


Reged: 15/05/08
Posts: 100
Loc: Australia
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: 500Boswell]
      #238246 - 23/11/13 05:06 PM

That's a Brevex with an after-market square bridge. M400 signifies a Brevex with the .416-size bolt face - one of the better actions for .505-sized cartridges.

Carl Labuschagne is a well-known PH here in South Africa, now retired. He dabbled in riflesmithing and used a .460 A-Square of his own building for the latter part of his career. It had/has a Scout-style Leupold scope mounted as well. There's a photo of it in Pierre van der Walt's book. Carl was perhaps best known for his use of a H&H Royal in .577 NE for a major part of his career.

Armin Winkler is a Ferlach-trained engraver based in Paarl near Cape Town. He does fantastic engraving to this day.

That rifle did the rounds here in SA for a while. Last time I saw it, it had a Griffin & Howe-type sidemount on it. In fact, a guy I know still has the top part of the particular mount in his gunroom.

If memory serves, the rifle was exported to the US from a Pretoria gunshop in the early 2000's. No idea about the Bundock bit, unfortunately.

Edited by jvw (23/11/13 05:08 PM)

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Rule303
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Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4940
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: 500Boswell]
      #238247 - 23/11/13 05:07 PM

Good pick up, good wood as well.

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: jvw]
      #238249 - 23/11/13 05:18 PM

Hello 500Boswell,

Thank you so much for the info. Would you happen to have the picture you mentioned with the scout-rifle scope mounting? I'm thinking I might add one to this rifle.

Would you know how to contact Mr. Labuschagne? I'd be interested to have first hand info about this rifle for sake of provenance. Things like when made / modified, etc. I'm a real hound for the "stories" (history) about my guns. Because he initialed the escutcheon with his initials, I would assume he owned it for a while. I would love to hear if he actually used this rifle on any game.

thanks

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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Buchsemann
.333 member


Reged: 12/12/08
Posts: 439
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238257 - 24/11/13 03:48 AM

Nice find, good looking rifle. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.

--------------------
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.

- John Dryden

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Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3501
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: Buchsemann]
      #238273 - 24/11/13 04:44 PM

"Bundook" or similar spelling is Swahili for "big gun" or cannon.

Fairly appropriate on a .505 Gibbs......

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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justcurious
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Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 285
Loc: Germany
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: Marrakai]
      #238276 - 24/11/13 07:22 PM

Could be.
So far I can remember there was a gunshop in Nairobi
named " Kenya Bunduki ". Sounds similiar.
Have seen a couple of Mauser rifles marked so .

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: justcurious]
      #238294 - 25/11/13 05:56 PM

hello justcurious,

I'm hoping to contact Carl Labuschagne, in SA someday to get the complete story about his "Big Gun".

I was anxious to shoot this, and take it hunting, but didn't have any brass or dies, so I had to improvise. The books say there is nothing to use for making brass, but I found a way. I re-machined the reads of some 577-500 brass. I loaded the brass with some gas-checked 350g bullets. The necks are a little short, but they work. The estimated velocity is about 1800 fps.

I took it on safari here in Wisconsin for whitetail hunting yesterday. I only saw a little doe that was too cute to sacrifice for a test shot. I remain hopefully that her big brother will make an appearance tomorrow.




--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238295 - 25/11/13 05:59 PM


Buck

Have you looked for some Brass ?

Should be plenty in the US.

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: 500Nitro]
      #238296 - 25/11/13 06:31 PM

Hello 500Nitro,

Yes, I know there is plenty, and I've got some coming. But, I bought this rifle on Thursday evening, and our 9-day hunting season started on Saturday. So- too little time, and too much to kill, so I improvised.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238300 - 25/11/13 09:24 PM


Very well done as well (improvising !!!).

I have a 505 Gibbs. Great cartridge.

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bwanabobftw
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Reged: 29/12/04
Posts: 668
Loc: Texas
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: 500Nitro]
      #238305 - 26/11/13 03:10 AM

Buck,
I also have a Custom .505. (Maker unknown) . I have tried some "lite cast loads" , but the blunt bullets don't feed very well, did yours feed the cast bullets ? It feeds and shoots the woodliegh .505 bullets great. I would like to have a lite load for plinking.
Cheers,
Robert

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: bwanabobftw]
      #238313 - 26/11/13 07:15 AM

Hello bwanabobftw,

The 350g gas-checked flat nose bullets That I used feed just fine. Not too much recoil either.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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bwanabobftw
.375 member


Reged: 29/12/04
Posts: 668
Loc: Texas
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238317 - 26/11/13 01:41 PM

Thanks , I'll try and find some and load a few up.
Robert

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buckstix
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Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1134
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: jvw]
      #238318 - 26/11/13 04:33 PM

Quote:

Carl Labuschagne is a well-known PH here in South Africa, now retired. He dabbled in riflesmithing and used a .460 A-Square of his own building for the latter part of his career. It had/has a Scout-style Leupold scope mounted as well. There's a photo of it in Pierre van der Walt's book. Carl was perhaps best known for his use of a H&H Royal in .577 NE for a major part of his career.

jvw


Hello jvw,

Thanks for the picture. I had never seen a "scout safari rifle". (below) I think that's a 1-1/2x scope.



Looks to be like Carl used the same quarter-rib / scope mount on my rifle as well.

Since I had some Warren Rings, and a Leupold EER 4x laying around the work bench, I decided to try to see how this looks. Not sure. ? ?





--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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93x64mm
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Reged: 07/12/11
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Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: buckstix]
      #238324 - 27/11/13 06:56 AM

What about a red dot type sight with a quick detachable base like those on AHR?
http://www.hunting-rifles.com/Specials/NEW%20PRODUCTS.htm
Now that would give it versatility, for different loads rather than aiming off!
93x64mm

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500Nitro
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Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: UNKNOWN 505 GIBBS MAUSER - Anyone recognize these names? [Re: 93x64mm]
      #238325 - 27/11/13 07:08 AM



Never had a problem using just open sights on a 505
even out to 100 yards and a bit further.

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