Barrett ("Boots") Obermeyer

[dave7mm]

I had been trying to get ahold of him since the second week of January.
All I got was the answering machine.
Bout 3 weeks ago a lady answered the phone and said Mr. Obermeyer had a stroke and was in rehab.
And that it was to early to tell what kind of recovery he was going to have.
Thats all I know.
I sent him a get well card.

dave

 

[spclark]

Boots is on the mend.

He’s in rehab now, doing as well as can be expected.

Cards & letters should be sent to him at his shop at:

Obermeyer Rifled Barrels
23122 60th St
Bristol WI 53104

 

[SDWhirlwind]

This makes me a sad man this morning. Had not heard. Having had 2 strokes I have some experience as to what results can be one way or another and what he is dealing with mentally as far as the future. Been going to call him and see how things were going. Had several very good conversations with him over a 4-5yr period during his big gov contract prior to my strokes and had much admiration for the man and envy for what he knew and his contribution to the shooting community. Seen for some time Bugholes had none of his barrels. Had plans to build a 260 and another 308 with his tubes but had sold the blanks I had from him shortly after my stroke as I wasn't optimistic about my recovery after mine. Never touched my lathe for 11 months. Thought about calling him to take a run at doing them again but seemed when I was about ready some other health issues popped up and my shooting is now almost zero.

Waited well over 3yrs for a couple 6.5 blanks he kept promising and another .30. He finally did them all and I got a blank everyday for 3 days consecutively with consecutive serial numbers. UPS man even asked what was going on.lol Sent them all with no money initially and IIRC no invoices. When I called him he was in no hurry to be pd. Mailed him a check the next day. No way you cannot have respect for a man like that who trusted a peon like me with almost 9 big ones.

Damn, ruined my day!!! Prayers sent and hopefully can remember to get a short note mailed to him.

Respectfully,
Dennis

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What a great guy! Ill definitely have him in my thoughts

 

[JBT47]

Great barrel maker and a good man. I have two Obermeyer blanks in my closet. I considered selling them but I think I’ll keep them.

 

[NWnewguy]

Prayer does help gentleman. I will be sending mine.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Sad Day ! Had many Range Days with Boots , what Head Full smarts .....

 

[paperpuncher]

I am very sorry to hear this. He is a super nice guy and is truly a fountain of information and knowledge. Had some very nice conversations with him over the years. I stopped by his place when I was traveling in WI he was very hospitable, and gave me a wonderful tour of his operation. MY thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

 

[MarvinO]

Great barrel maker and a good man. I have two Obermeyer blanks in my closet. I considered selling them but I think I’ll keep them.

if you ever want to sell an Obermeyer blank let me know, I may be interested...

 

[Liven The Dream]

if you ever want to sell an Obermeyer blank let me know, I may be interested...

Krieger is Licensed to make Boots 5R I am shooting one now..... there is a extra charge.

 

[cjames]

Prayers for Boots and wish him well.

I am going to a funeral tomorrow of someone that was about my age now when I got into the pipe trades 29 years ago. It sucks that most of the guys that taught me as an apprentice are gone or not in good health. I still think of them as they were back then. And when I do see someone from back then now, it makes me realize how much time has gone by. I'm still supposed to be in my 20's and they are supposed to be in their 40's and 50's.

 

[old_heli_logger]

Prayers on the way for a legendary barrel maker

 

[D-4297]

A card ; and my good thoughts are on the way . And my lovely Devout L.D.S. wife has added him to her prayer list . We wish him a speedy recovery .

 

[Joe Maisto]

Great barrel maker and a good man. I have two Obermeyer blanks in my closet. I considered selling them but I think I’ll keep them.

You had best keep them ! I have known Boots and his family since he got out of the "school" in the early sixties. They had a sporting goods store here in Racine, WI. ... where I live. He is responsible for creating the 1st .35 Whelen barrel on a Rem. 760 , and that was mine.... It was later commercialized by Rem. for a short time. He then bought the "farm" in Bristol and moved his Machinery there.
There is so much to say about this mans knowledge , I would not know quite where to begin.

 

[moondog]

You had best keep them ! I have known Boots and his family since he got out of the "school" in the early sixties. They had a sporting goods store here in Racine, WI. ... where I live. He is responsible for creating the 1st .35 Whelen barrel on a Rem. 760 , and that was mine.... It was later commercialized by Rem. for a short time. He then bought the "farm" in Bristol and moved his Machinery there.
There is so much to say about this mans knowledge , I would not know quite where to begin.

Did you know Mark too?

 

[Joe Maisto]

Did you know Mark too?

No. I go back to the days of his parents, boots and brother Allen running the sporting goods store on Taylor Ave. here in Racine . I’m talking early sixties... Boots was just out of smithing school. Most don’t know what he fully accomplished. Example ?... at the request of our government , he created the first barrel ( after much intricate measuring) of some .220 Russian ammo brought back from Afghanistan ( when the Soviets were there. There was a 2 page article in Precision Shooting on the matter . He contacted the right people to make dies for this cartridge and built it on a 788 action . It was complete with the “R” rifling . He told me he had ( for the most part ).....left the competition barrel world to do work for the Government. There are those that blame the barrel when their scores are not what they think they should be ....... I made a mistake in letting another barrel maker read the article about “ Boots” and building the first .220 Russian caliber firearm in a bolt action .... that was thoroughly tested by our people... for results . Only Boots......” The Legend”.

Did you know Mark too?