McGowan Mauser 98 (.45-70 Govt)
Kim du Toit
July 20, 2003
11:00 PM CDT
Here’s an interesting rifle: it’s a “McGowan” Mauser 98 action, re-chambered and -barreled in the manly .45-70 Govt caliber:
And yes, those are flip-up “express” sights on the barrel forward of the receiver.
It’s listed by Collector’s Firearms at $1,600.
Now, I’m aware that others (most notably Gibbs Rifles) do this kind of work, but never having fired one, I can’t pass judgement on their quality. But I have to tell you that this rifle looks yummy. Quality just oozes out of it.
Now an admission of ignorance: I’ve never heard of a custom riflemaker or factory called McGowan—in fact, the only “McGowan” I know involved with rifles is the fine African hunting writer, John McGowan, and I don’t know if he ever built rifles, or had them built according to his own specs.
If anyone can clue me in, I’ll be happy to update this GGP.
Update: As always, my Readers are an excellent resource. Reader and Friend Mark H. writes:
Harry McGowan is located at 5961 Spruce Ln, St. Ann, Illinois, 60964. I was in his shop last Tuesday. He makes custom rifles to order. His barrels are superb.
His sons have become excellent gunsmiths in their own right, and are making barrels and barrelled actions that are nothing if not amazing.
He showed me a picture of a sporterized Enfield 17 he did, and it made me immediately decide to give mine to him for the same treatment. He also gave me some great advice about my old Arisaka 99
Harry is no spring chicken, and health problems have relegated him to the position of customer service. If you aren’t careful, you’ll spend the whole day talking to him, and it’s a damned easy thing to do. And more enjoyable than it has any right to be.
Harry has no website, nor catalog beyond two sheets of paper printed on both sides. He makes rifles; advertising is not his job. Call him at 815-937-9816. Or drive to Kankakee—his shop is nearby and he always has in stock a few rifles he’s made, plus some commercial stuff and an old milsurp rifle or two.
And yummy barely describes the rifles he makes. Barely.
There you have it—and now I really want that rifle.
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