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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 58 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 58 Likes: 8 |
That's a beautiful rifle - congratulations!
I'm curious - are they blued damascus or steel barrels?
Have you looked inside the locks to determine who made them?
Cheers!
mbatten
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 430 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 430 Likes: 105 |
I've not yet looked inside the locks. I believe the barrels are steel and not damascus, based on what I'm seeing, particularly under the forearm.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,803 Likes: 675
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,803 Likes: 675 |
That is a very nice double rifle in what appears to be very nice original condition. Sad that the worms also found it to be so attractive. I'd agree that the horn buttplate should be replaced rather than wasting time and money on a repair. There is a guy here named Joe Dobrzynski who often sells Buffalo Horn material for buttplates, grip caps, etc. I think he also sells horn material on Ebay. Here's a link to one of his recent For Sale ads here: https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=547957#Post547957
Voting for anti-gun Democrats is dumber than giving treats to a dog that shits on a Persian Rug
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 332 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 332 Likes: 4 |
This gun is in original condition. Wow. Great find.
Olde Eynsford powder works best out of all powders in my BPE rifles. I have tried Goex, Elephant, Swiss (not too bad), and Olde Eynsford. OE is much better, more powerful than the others in my brass case cartridges. This gun no doubt needs paper patched bullets.
NRA Life
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 430 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 430 Likes: 105 |
Thank you all again for the help. So now I've slugged the bore, driving a Hornady 50cal muzzleloading conical projectile 3 inches into the right bore, starting at the breech end. After popping it back out, I'm seeing what started as .505-.506 now is .496 where the lands impressed/indented the lead. I think these measurements are accurate. Isn't that too small? The rifles proofs show a 39 bore. Similar question was discussed here: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/british-double-rifle-gauge-to-caliber-conversion.50365/
Last edited by CJF; 09/01/19 03:16 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 332 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 332 Likes: 4 |
Couple of thoughts: proof versus service load are two different things. So proof marks are often just indications, not gospel or science. Second, you should slug both barrels at each end. That is, drive a slightly oversize slug through each chamber and out an inch or two. Then run a slug all the way down each bore. You will probably find that the bores are tapered. About 2-4 thousandths. Tapered bore was almost standard in British BPEs. So see how your big bullet is starting out versus what it is exiting as.
NRA Life
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 212 Likes: 47
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 212 Likes: 47 |
The old .500 bullets ran around .502 bare. Wrap 'em in paper and shoot 'em - you'll be fine.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,106 Likes: 43
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,106 Likes: 43 |
Before I replaced the buttplate, I'd try restoring it. One worm hole or twenty worm holes might not matter if they're properly filled and finished off.
Bill Ferguson
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 58 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 58 Likes: 8 |
Congratulations on a beautiful rifle!
I'm a new owner too, and there is some very good advice about loading for these old blackpowder rifles in a previous post I started here called 'Alex Henry 450 BPE double bullets'.
Also, Graeme Wright's 'Shooting the British Double Rifle' is an excellent resource.
Have fun!
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 430 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 430 Likes: 105 |
Congratulations on a beautiful rifle!
I'm a new owner too, and there is some very good advice about loading for these old blackpowder rifles in a previous post I started here called 'Alex Henry 450 BPE double bullets'.
Also, Graeme Wright's 'Shooting the British Double Rifle' is an excellent resource.
Have fun! Thanks MBatten. Sorry hadn't seen your post till now.
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