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History of "The Legend"
This gun was carried by my relative and good friend, James "Rip" Farley, in his pick up for 50+ years. He passed the gun
onto me when he passed away a few years ago.
The gun was manufactured in Germany as a military rifle with a Mauser action. There is a proof mark from Germany that
would indicate it was made in the late 1800's.
The next proof mark is from Great Britain where it must have been worked on around World War I.
The next mark is from Walker Gunsmith in Goliad, Texas, who modified the gun to a 22.250.
Being a Mauser action and 22.250 caliber, the gun shoots extremely well. Over the years, it has gained a reputation for accuracy driven
mostly by the confidence of the shooter.
Hope you enjoy some comments about "The Legend".......and read comments on Dori's and my tab on our own
experiences.
Quotes from around the State of Texas
" I remember that rifle. Rip told me to shoot a coyote one day with it when we were checkin'
cows in his ol' grey dodge 12 or so yrs ago. 150 yds maybe more .. right behind the shoulder .. no problem. ;>} It wasn't as long as my rem 700 -
30.06 .. but it sure got the job done ...." - Joel "Bobcat" Gerdes"
"Great Story! Remember the gun well. Rip was real good at showing people up with that
rifle. Somebody ought to write these stories down and compile a book about the late great Mr. Farley." -Dale Hancock
Rip was one of the most wonderful men I have ever met. Dating him was an
experience that will last me a lifetime and has made my life a lot richer. Rip was a real BSer, and was always teasing me about something. I loved
his sense of humor. One day we were at the ranch riding around looking for baby calves. He always had that special rifle next to him in the truck.
He was teasing me about giving him a kiss, which I was resisting. He made a bet with me that he could shoot the head off a dove that was sitting on an
electric line across the fence, at about 100 yards. Of course I took the bet, with the pay off being a kiss. I knew I would win because I could
hardly see the dove sitting on the line from the truck. You know what Warren, he got his kiss!!!! I've never seen anything like it. I watched him
walk over to pick up the dove just to make sure he didn't pull of the head while standing on it. He carefully picked up the bird, and sure enough the
dove's head was gone!! What a shot and What a kiss!! Miss that guy. GAY Ray
I forwarded your story to the guys that frequent the Goliad ranch and
stories are starting to roll in about "The Legend". I witnessed Rip making a head shot on a hawk with that rifle ( I guess for the quail) from over
100 yds. When driving in from Houston, the moment I pull off 59 onto Riverdale, I start thinking about Rip. For me, he is as much a part of that land
as the cattle, game, and ancient oaks. Malcolm Boatner
I was riding in Coots pen the back pasture of the Power Ranch in Goliad
County years ago. Some wild turkey were making their way up the hill about 175 yards towards the neighbors fence. I quickly bet Rip a six pack of beer
he could not shoot the turkeys in the neck. Well, he took a quick shot, worn out scope and all. The turkey fell over. I went across the dry creek bed
to get the bird. Guess what? The turkeys was in two pieces, body on left and neck and head on right. I quickly paid off and never bet against Rip or
The Legend again.
Warren Blesh
RRR Ranch
The"Legend" was so cool and awesome. "Warren, with it, your's and dad's help I got my first buck." "Can I call my
mom now and tell her?"
Jessie Roberson age 9
Goldthwaite, Texas
"The Legend Makes It To The Caddo-Gage"
Earlier this fall (2007) "The Legend" and I traveled to the famous Caddo Gage ranch in
West Texas. Yes, I was nervous never having hunted pronghorn before. All I heard before my hunt was to
bring a big caliber gun and prepare for a long shot.
Well the morning came and my guide "Tex" from Wildlife Systems spotted a great pronghorn going over a
rise. We quickly got out of the vehicle and started a stalk. The pronghorn saw us, so we sat down and he
began to work his way to me.
About 20 of give and take, he stuck his head around a yucca bush at 125 years. I told Tex I could make
the shot... He seemed reluctant to let me go for it, but I convinced him "The Legend" would do just fine.
Summing it up, the shot has a slight fade to it around the yucca and the pronghorn fell. "The Legend"
rang true.
"Oh my Bull, firing the Legend is like
silk, so smooth, I can't believe it."
Cole Graybill Cameron
#38
Texas A&M Football 2009
"The Legend" faced it toughest test this past week.
Deer scored 165 B&C
Caddo Gage Ranch
December 2008 Wildlife Systems Outfitter
The Legend met it's toughest match this month. “We” faced the vast, rough country around Marathon, Texas and
very elusive desert mulies. Monday’s weather was 70 degrees and winds out of the south at 30mph. Tuesday morning
we saw lots of young bucks. Our assigned pasture was 14,000 acres on the famous Caddo Cage.
Around noon the second day the weather changed to a hard norther with winds 30 mph from the north and rain
turning to snow. I was intimated by the hard hunting, hard weather and this was far more hunt than I had planned
for “The Legend”.
.
Jackie, my guide and I spotted a big mulie chasing a few does..... The wind howled and I had to take my first
shot from the pick up. The pick up shook, “the Legend” fired and I must have missed! Oh my, first miss in
years... The next shot rang out as my guide said keep firing.
The next shot was a solid mid-section shot. Then, my buddy in Colorado had told me, high shoulder will take any
mulie down. So, shooting the next time, I went high shoulder. The buck took a fall and both me and “The Legend”
passed out from exhaustion.
We arrived back in camp to find no hunters with their deer yet as 8 hunters were combing many thousands of acres
for big mulies. Once again, the magic, mystery and extraordinary powers of “the Legend” had come to make yet
another mark in history.
The rest of our camp harvested their deer over the next few days; some even bigger than the 165 class buck taken
by “the Legend”, but none with a 22.250 with the magic of only one gun ever made…………..
Thanks to Greg Simons and my guide, Jackie Murphy, for all their help on this hunt. If you want a great mule deer
hunt, check out www.wildlifesystems.com.
Bull
December 2009
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