Al Biesen pre 64 M70 in 270

[Bill Holcombe]

I grew up hearing my grandad and uncle talk about Biesen rifles. Don't see a lot of them here in Texas it seems. My grand dad always wanted one and my uncle has flirted off and on with buying one several times, I even went with him one time to look at one while I was still in college. He had the $2000 (almost 20 years ago, it was a 257 Bob prewar m70 action too....Heck I should have bought it) in cash with him but for whatever reason just couldn't pull the trigger. I managed to get one today direct from it's original owner. This is a grail gun for me indeed.

There is quite some variation in Biesen guns. This one has his fleur de lis checkering but has the standard m70 floor plate as opposed to the Blackburn floor plate some have. It also doesn't have the fancy inlaid gold and engraving which I was neither wanting nor able to afford.

I have 3 months to pay in full.

Not very good photos but they are the ones I have.

Funny thing is I had talked to the gentleman who was selling it previously and he said he would hold it for me while I thought it over. When I called yesterday to say I wanted it, he wasn't home but his wife told me it was already sold...turns out I was who it was sold to lol.

1951 Al Biesen 270 model 70 with a 23 inch custom barrel.

I have posted this on a few other forums and am fairly surprised at the lack of interest in Biesen. While I was born after O'Connor had already died, I figured some on here would find this of interest.

To keep this Parker related Al Biesen is known to have repaired several Parkers including 2 A1 Specials.

[John Allen]

I had a Beisen 300 H&H that was the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.I was offered more than I thought it was worth at the time and sold it.I wish I had it back.He was a real artist.You are lucky to find one in such good condition.Put a good scope on it and it will be ready to go.Good luck and thanks for sharing.

[todd allen]

The importance of this rifle is not lost on me. Congratulations!

[edgarspencer]

My dad loved his work but never managed to buy one. He did buy a spectacular RG Owen in 270, and I had a 7mm Mauser, consecutive serial to his. Those were Springfield actions.
Not getting that 257 must rank pretty high on your "regrets list".

[Bill Holcombe]

My dad loved his work but never managed to buy one. He did buy a spectacular RG Owen in 270, and I had a 7mm Mauser, consecutive serial to his. Those were Springfield actions.
Not getting that 257 must rank pretty high on your "regrets list".

Yeah.....as a college student I in no way had 2 grand lying around to get it, but I should have robbed a bank or something.

[Randy G Roberts]

Years ago I had a Winchester Model 21 two barrel set with both barrels being 30 in, 20 gauge. It was a Deluxe Field model and it was beautiful. It was custom stocked by Bieson. I would have to check my records but I have Roger on my brain. Not sure if they are related? Nice rifle by the way.

[Bill Holcombe]

Roger is Al's son.

Collecting forums are funny. I posted this on the Winchester collector forum and was politely informed they had no interest in non original guns. Funny I would think a gun customized by the man who customized Jack O'Connor's m70s would have some collector interest. But apparently not.

[Brett Hoop]

They are good feeling stocks. I was vaccinated by JOC and thus the Biesen brand has appeal. I have one of the last that Al worked on according to Roger. It being a clover leaf tang 70 in 300 H&H. Similar to Parker’s you can pick out their comb nose at 50’ and there is no doubt about it . Al got the attention from JOC and in the day it was a game changer. The American Classic bolt rifle has continued to evolve, Wiebe,Fisher, Echols but Biesen gun always going to be a nice rifle. Congrats!

[Bill Holcombe]

Not certain I can afford it but let me know if that rifle is ever for sale.

[Rich Anderson]

Nice rifle congrats. The purists in the M70 collectors look for originality just like we do in our Parkers. Your investment is rarely recouped in a custom rifle and while Al Biesen is well known it apparently adds little value for some. Is the rifle a FWT or STD?

I have sold off a lot of my M70's lately including two in 257R. The funds are gone (to another shotgun) but the rifles are also and now I find myself looking again.:banghead: It's one of my favorite calibers.

[Russ Jackson]

Morning Bill ,Beautiful Rifle , I shoot my Dads Pre 64 Model 70 Feather Weight chambered in the 270 ,every hunting season since he has passed away and I had Dads rifle passed down to me ! If I get my Buck in Archery season ,I shoot my annual Doe just so I can use his gun ! By your earlier post about the lack of interest on The Winchester collecting site just proves once again the PGCA is the place to be !

[Bill Holcombe]

Yeah Rich but this forum still appreciates the work of highly skilled crsftsmen.

As for value, from researching guns that have sold I am quite confident in the statement that a Biesen rifle is added value to a M70. Just look at guns that have sold at auction, Biesen rifles go for as much as twice what a similar condition standard grade and about 1.5 times a supergrade. I read some article by some collecting expert that said if you were looking to M70s as an investment he would look for Al Biesen and Len Brownell rifles over standard condition pre 64.

Now none of that matters to me as I am planning for retirement/sending the kids to college separately, but it is interesting to hear.

I love the Bob. Have 2 pre 64 Bob's. One a family gun and the other an old ranch gun super grade from the Heep Ranch near my grandparents that my uncle bought and restored. It's a shooter, but it's a heck of a hunting rifle.

[Bill Jacobs]

That is a beautiful rifle! Congrats!

[Russell E. Cleary]

Bill:

I see that on the Winchester Collectors Forum there has been some leavening in responses to your Al Biesen M70 Winchester rifle.

That group appears to have the same debates over there relating to originality purism, restoration, customization and the impact on desirability of provenance.

Here is part of a post by Louis L., one who does appreciate your new acquisition:

“…. I'm sure you've noted that we frequently end up discussing "restoration" work on antique lever guns (itself a form of "custom" work). The purists HATE it, but some like having a rifle that looks like they imagine it did when new. To each his own... IMHO it should all be "allowable" and not provoke critical comment. Again, just my "take"...”

He also revealingly adds that the majority of collectors on that Forum are focused on pre-1899 lever-action rifles, which many collectors might have assumed to be just another subset.

I count ten books in the case a few feet away from me that are written either by or about Jack O’Connor. I would not be surprised if all of them had references to the work of Al Biesen.

That is a fine-looking, and I would say an historic rifle you have acquired.

[Bill Murphy]

My friend Neil Sheehan recently sold his two beloved Al Biesen rifles, one a 6MM and one a 7MM, maximum effort guns in nearly unused condition. Neil switched to left handed shooting some years ago and ordered the two rifles with cheekpieces on both sides, just in case he wanted to switch back to right handed shooting. You will recognize those guns if you ever see them.

[edgarspencer]

Can’t be too easy to miss those. I have always shot lefty, but have never shot a left handed bolt gun. I might have some talented stock maker make me a stock for my G&H 22 hornet with a cheek piece on the right side.

[Bill Holcombe]

Since we are all fans of good checkering. I got a pic of the checkering on the bottom of the forearm.

[Alfred Greeson]

Look at Guns International #101248688 and you will find an Al Biesen M70 338 with a great write up and price at $5000 which is sold. It gives a birds eye view of what the man was known for and as with our Parkers, the pics show why people love his work.

[Alfred Greeson]

And of course, our Steve Barnett has an Al Biesen m70 in 270 but it is fancy with gold etc, etc. and $9,9xx