Log In
November 19, 2006
Offline
I’ve often pursued some odd pieces over the years and on that list of yet to acquire is a Blake rifle. To me at least, these are very interesting and unique pieces.
Two are coming up on auction and unfortunately, both are marked Winchester. Why, I can’t fathom. Given the non-originality, I can’t help but conclude it’s a detractor.
The detachable magazine set-up on the Blake is very cool. Originally, they sold an ammunition belt with slots for loose rounds as well as pockets for six magazines.
Here’s the .405:
https://bid.poulinauctions.com/BLAKE-ROTARY-MAGAZINE-BOLT-ACTION-RIFLE_i59097032
Here’s the .30 Blake (.30/40 Krag rimless):
https://bid.poulinauctions.com/BLAKE-ROTARY-MAGAZINE-BOLT-ACTION-RIFLE_i59097031
January 20, 2023
Offline
Those may belong in the Ripley’s museum.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
October 14, 2024
Offline
That .30 is a handsome looking rifle, Steve. Thanks for posting the link. I was not familiar with the Blake rifle. I guess that I’ll be doing a dive down the rabbit hole. LOL.
May 23, 2009
Offline
I’m somewhat confused. Did Blake use Model 95 barrels to make up these rifles? Or did Blake (or someone else for that matter) mark them up as having been made by Winchester?
A interesting rifle design indeed, but you can see why it was not very popular.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
December 9, 2002
Online
A very interesting post Steve!
John H. Blake was a master rifle smith with his rotary design rifle. Some pretty rare stuff, that you shared here, and have educated me on in the past!
For those who are interested.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blake_rifle
Anthony
October 14, 2024
Offline
It would certainly be the only one at deer camp! The Winchester barrel marking is interesting. I also wondered about how that came to be.
December 9, 2002
Online
Definitely in the rare category. IMO!
An extra rotary magazine is a rare item, as I recall, one went for a lot of $$$ at auction last year!
Anthony
October 14, 2024
Offline
I wouldn’t even want to guess how much a spool magazine would cost. I’ve been trying to find a spare magazine for my 30-40 Krag Remington Lee sporting rifle. I don’t really need one but it would be nice to have. Unfortunately, they never seem to come up for sale in that caliber and I probably would have to dish out $300-$400 for it.
November 19, 2006
Offline
kevindpm61 said
I wouldn’t even want to guess how much a spool magazine would cost. I’ve been trying to find a spare magazine for my 30-40 Krag Remington Lee sporting rifle. I don’t really need one but it would be nice to have. Unfortunately, they never seem to come up for sale in that caliber and I probably would have to dish out $300-$400 for it.
Kevin –
When I first saw these two rifles on auction, I thought (at least one) would be perfect for your collection. I am sure you would harvest a deer with one!
November 19, 2006
Offline
Maverick said
I’m somewhat confused. Did Blake use Model 95 barrels to make up these rifles? Or did Blake (or someone else for that matter) mark them up as having been made by Winchester?
A interesting rifle design indeed, but you can see why it was not very popular.
Sincerely,
Maverick
I’ve researched Blake rifles over the last many years. I’ve never heard of them using Winchester barrels. My best guess is someone has simply added the Winchester engraving. The rifles could be rebarreled as well. I’m curious if the .30-40 barrel is still chambered in the .30 Blake (which is a .30-40 rimless) or if it is now a .30-40 Krag.
I don’t recall the Blake ever being chambered in the .405 WCF.
October 14, 2024
Offline
I have to say Steve that I find the .30 Blake pretty neat. I do like my vintage/ antique bolt action hunting rifles. The description makes no mention whether the spool magazine is present. Which one are you going to buy? 🙂
Unfortunately, I struck out deer hunting this year. I took my .256 Newton and 1905 9mm Mannlicher Schoenauer for walks in the woods and didn’t get a chance to fire either one.
November 19, 2006
Offline
kevindpm61 said
I have to say Steve that I find the .30 Blake pretty neat. I do like my vintage/ antique bolt action hunting rifles. The description makes no mention whether the spool magazine is present. Which one are you going to buy? 🙂
Unfortunately, I struck out deer hunting this year. I took my .256 Newton and 1905 9mm Mannlicher Schoenauer for walks in the woods and didn’t get a chance to fire either one.
Presence of the spool magazine is not mentioned and I suspect there is not one with the rifle. That is often the case. A huge advantage of the Savage 1895/1899/99 rifle was that the rotary magazine didn’t come out.
I will probably buy neither. I figure both would fit in well in your group – and the .30-40 and .405 have different applications.
November 19, 2006
Offline
Here’s a very good ten minute video by Ian McCollum. He demonstrates and explains the Blake well:
By the way, the .400 Blake would be high on my list. Although rare, there are some very high grades of Blake rifles.
October 14, 2024
Offline
The Winchester barrels are an interesting issue. Since the .30 Blake is rimless, a standard 30-40 Krag barrel wouldn’t just screw in. The profiles fit the forearm well from what I can see.
November 19, 2006
Offline
Here’s the .30 Blake (.30-40 rimless). I find it very interesting that it is headstamped .30 U.S.A.
November 7, 2015
Online
Some pretty fancy engineering went into that rifle, Steve, very interesting. Probably just a bit too intricate for a service rifle, possibly commercial as well.
Mike
November 19, 2006
Offline
Here’s an original Blake catalog I have:
Here’s a page from the catalog featuring one of their higher grade rifles. The magazines are called, “packets” and note that 20 are included with a rifle. You choose your barrel length – 18 to 30 inches. The magazines and are available in Aluminum, Bronze or, “can be made of solid silver embossed and engraved.” I believe what they refer to as the magazine is what I would described as a hinged floorplate.
And here we have an item I consider as cool as a holster for a Burgess folding shotgun. I have never heard of one of these remaining extant:
December 9, 2002
Online
steve004 said
Here’s an original Blake catalog I have:
Here’s a page from the catalog featuring one of their higher grade rifles. The magazines are called, “packets” and note that 20 are included with a rifle. You choose your barrel length – 18 to 30 inches. The magazines and are available in Aluminum, Bronze or, “can be made of solid silver embossed and engraved.” I believe what they refer to as the magazine is what I would described as a hinged floorplate.
And here we have an item I consider as cool as a holster for a Burgess folding shotgun. I have never heard of one of these remaining extant:
WOW!
Big Larry would have liked that cartridge belt, and possibly added a worthwhile comment, as he always did. That’s impressive in itself! Let alone everything else!
Anthony
November 19, 2006
Offline
Anthony said
steve004 said
Here’s an original Blake catalog I have:
Here’s a page from the catalog featuring one of their higher grade rifles. The magazines are called, “packets” and note that 20 are included with a rifle. You choose your barrel length – 18 to 30 inches. The magazines and are available in Aluminum, Bronze or, “can be made of solid silver embossed and engraved.” I believe what they refer to as the magazine is what I would described as a hinged floorplate.
And here we have an item I consider as cool as a holster for a Burgess folding shotgun. I have never heard of one of these remaining extant:
WOW!
Big Larry would have liked that cartridge belt, and possibly added a worthwhile comment, as he always did. That’s impressive in itself! Let alone everything else!
Anthony
Tony –
I’m sure he would have. I sure miss his comments!
October 14, 2024
Offline
That cartridge belt is amazing! Looks like it holds at least 7 magazines and at least 10 single rounds of ammunition. That’s at least 59 rounds of ammunition. It would probably be banned in some states today because of its high capacity.
