doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Early Nitro Double Rifle ????

I have a Cogswell and Harrison double rifle that was built in 1886 that the factory record says is a cordite rifle; Here is part of the factory record:

This rifle was produced to an order from our New Bond Street shop and was completed by our craftsmen on 30th January 1886. It was built as a .400 cordite double rifle.

I didn't think that cordite double rifles were made that early. Obviously it does not have nitro proof marks.

Could this be a legitimate early cordite double rifle?

Highly suspicious...
The 303 came up in 1889 and was not even cordite...
Ballistite first came in 1889 before Cordite existed.
Mk I Cordite showed up in 1892.
The likely round would have been the 450/400 3 1/4' and I think that the first one was about 1898 IIRC.
I'd say there is a mistake somewhere.

1896 maybe, but 1886 I think not...
Later date reproofs were fairly common, and that's another option.
WC-

The records also show that the rifle was built in 1886, but it was actually sold in 1891. I am puzzled myself on this one. The record plainly says that it was cordite. The actual caliber is .450/.400
2 3/8". The rifle has mint bores and is in very good totally original shape.

Send it to me

If Wikipedia is to be believed, Cordite was first produced in 1889.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordite

I see it like this. The gun was built in 1888, and soon afterwards regulated for the new flanged Cordite, sometime during 1889-1891.

With kind regards,
Jani

He said it was built in 1886, the records say it was regulated with cordite. 3 years before it was used.

I think that the "actually sold in 1891" is the key.

If you buy a new Purdey gun today that is in stock the information says "chokes cut as required" or "chokes as required". All of their "in stock" guns are extra full allowing them to cut the chokes to their customers desire.

I'll bet that this gun was not regulated until sold. They would most likely have waited until the customer told them the desired charge and bullet weight before regulating the rifle. When it was sold in 1891 Cordite was in use and the customer most likely wanted the gun regulated for his bullet weight using Cordite.

Sorry I made a typing mistake, of course it was made in 1886, not 1888.
And I do agree with FlyChamps.

With kind regards,
Jani

The funny part is that the 450/400 2 3/8" ended up never taking off as a cordite round, unlike most anything else...
WC-