Harrison
US Veteran
Anyone have a ball park idea as to what British double rifles, circa. 1900-1939, in 375 mag, or one of the .40 -.45 nitro express calibers. Not looking for a collectors piece, Just a decent shape rifle for shooting.
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British double rifles ?
- Thread starter Harrison
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That's somewhat dependent upon make. A name maker will cost more than the "Army/Navy" double rifles. Back when, there was at least one store in the UK that furnished equipment of all types for British officers, who were expected to buy their own kit. They also offered plain jane doubles (rifles & shoguns) for officers who weren't heirs to great titles and large estates. These were typically box lock doubles in common calibers. I watched with great curiousity while a guy shot one back in the early '70's. It was one of the Army/Navy guns and was in very good shape, and set him back $2500.
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My understanding is $2000 to $40,000. The maker can make the price way up or way down for the same condition rifle.
Rpg
Member
Even a nondescript Birmingham Army Navy double rifle will start at $10,000.00. Anything with a more prestigious name will go for much more.
There are some current (non British) makers that produce very functional double rifles for $7,500 +-.
There are some current (non British) makers that produce very functional double rifles for $7,500 +-.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
In 1982 my 1898-1905 Westly-Richards 26" Army/Navy type of hammer 450 3 1/4" Nitro Express was $1400. I don't see anything similar for less than $6000 at shows these days. (in 1982 ammo was $5 a round, today same stuff is in the $10 a round for soft points and $12 for solids)
I've had a number of nice 375 H&H's in Ruger No.1 and in Weatherby Mark V Hunter models. The American guns are 1/8 the price or less and far more accurate than a double! and easy to put any scope on. I am so sorry I sold any of them!
Ivan
By the way. In older doubles, they won't be chambered in the affordable 375 H&H! They will be in the comparable rimmed version, Call Holland's 375 Flanged, at about 4 timed the price.
Starting in the late 50's that began chambering the belted mag and some rimless cases. ITB
I've had a number of nice 375 H&H's in Ruger No.1 and in Weatherby Mark V Hunter models. The American guns are 1/8 the price or less and far more accurate than a double! and easy to put any scope on. I am so sorry I sold any of them!
Ivan
By the way. In older doubles, they won't be chambered in the affordable 375 H&H! They will be in the comparable rimmed version, Call Holland's 375 Flanged, at about 4 timed the price.
Starting in the late 50's that began chambering the belted mag and some rimless cases. ITB
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Go on GunsInternational.com. You will get a very good idea and shock what the Brit doubles go for.
Valmet
Member
As others have stated- all over the place. Kinda like asking what a Corvette costs...
But a British double rifle is NOT a chick magnet.
Old Man mis-typed again or was it really SpelCheck.
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But a British double rifle is NOT a check magnet.
I would be more impressed by a chick that had a London Best double rifle than one that had a Corvette.
LarryIvan the Butcher
Member
But a British double rifle is NOT a check magnet.
That depends on the Chick!
My chick grew up around real men that shoot real guns, and that's what she wanted and got!
Ivan
He wrote check magnet not chick magnet. Maybe he is just talking about maintenance expenses.
Edit. Nope. It was mispelled alright.
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beagleye
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I went to a local auction with just such a gun, armed with $5000. It sold for $30,000. Talk about bringing a knife to a gunfight.
BRNO doubles seem to be an exception, usually under $2000 in 7x57R, O/U and never British, but $30,000...
BRNO doubles seem to be an exception, usually under $2000 in 7x57R, O/U and never British, but $30,000...
One additional thought on your purchase is the caliber.
Currently Kynoch has no distributor for their products in the US. I checked about a month ago with them.
CSMC use to have ammo but no more so you're stuck with custom loaders or doing it yourself unless its something like a 375 H&H or 458 Win mag and then you still have the potential regulation issue.
MANY years ago I passed on a 476 Westley Richards that came with 140 rounds of Kynoch ammo - I haven't been the same since!
Good luck with your choice.
Currently Kynoch has no distributor for their products in the US. I checked about a month ago with them.
CSMC use to have ammo but no more so you're stuck with custom loaders or doing it yourself unless its something like a 375 H&H or 458 Win mag and then you still have the potential regulation issue.
MANY years ago I passed on a 476 Westley Richards that came with 140 rounds of Kynoch ammo - I haven't been the same since!
Good luck with your choice.
Fishinfool
Member
Others have given accurate pricing on what a real British double rifle might go for. If that is too salty for you, there is an alternative.
Back a few years ago, Remington imported a box lock double rifle from Russia, available in 45-70. Back about 12 years or so ago, they could be found on the big auction sites for about $1000.00.
Some folks on the internet have described them as "junk". Usually folks who never owned one, and is offering an opinion from that angle. As someone who actually owned one for a number of years, shot it quite a bit, and hunted deer with it, they are not junk.
British maker quality? - No, but good working gun fit and finish. Loaded with the factory Hornady 325 grain Lever ammo at over 2000 fps, they give the "feel" of a big British double without the expense. Mine would keep both barrels centered on a paper plate at 50 yards without issue. A fun rifle to shoot, and always got a lot of looks and questions at the range.
Larry
Back a few years ago, Remington imported a box lock double rifle from Russia, available in 45-70. Back about 12 years or so ago, they could be found on the big auction sites for about $1000.00.
Some folks on the internet have described them as "junk". Usually folks who never owned one, and is offering an opinion from that angle. As someone who actually owned one for a number of years, shot it quite a bit, and hunted deer with it, they are not junk.
British maker quality? - No, but good working gun fit and finish. Loaded with the factory Hornady 325 grain Lever ammo at over 2000 fps, they give the "feel" of a big British double without the expense. Mine would keep both barrels centered on a paper plate at 50 yards without issue. A fun rifle to shoot, and always got a lot of looks and questions at the range.
Larry
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Buying that type of stuff, depending on the manufacturer can easily go 20K to 100K+. That is like going from marijuana right to the needle. There are not a lot of dealers in this stuff, and they were used by India's royalty, Hemingway, and the " great white hunters". Many were very ornate with elaborate engraving and gold inlays. i might say that Purdey made some as well as the well known English gun maker Westley Richards that still turns out these types of rifles I believe. Below is an example of Westley Richards rifles of today.
They still make double rifles. If you want to drool go to Westley Richards.com
Krieghoff the fine German maker makes drillings, and I do believe they make double rifles. They are about a 125YO company
They still make double rifles. If you want to drool go to Westley Richards.com
Krieghoff the fine German maker makes drillings, and I do believe they make double rifles. They are about a 125YO company
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Someone above mentioned the Ruger #1. OK, not the romance of a double by Holland & Holland, Westly Richards or Purdy, but you don't need a second mortgage. They're available in .450/.400 from the factory, possibly other old British calibers if that's part of the appeal. Hornady makes ammo for several of the old British chamberings, but check your credit card limit before purchase.
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LostintheOzone
US Veteran
These guys have a few from time to time.
English Shotguns-Hill Rod and Gun
I bought several shotguns from them many years ago and they're still in business, so GTG. They import from all over the world.
If you know very little about doubles I would suggest that you not buy anything from a private party. There's just too much junk out there for the novice to navigate.
Here's a good bit of information on the makers.
doublegunshop.com Shotgun Makers and Shotgun Sellers - British game gun or British rifle
I don't know a lot about double rifles but I've had a few British shotguns. PM me about any British maker if you have any questions. I have some out-of-print and hard to find books on the subject and can maybe help you with your project. It's an interesting and deep subject with a lot of history not unlike S&W revolvers.
English Shotguns-Hill Rod and Gun
I bought several shotguns from them many years ago and they're still in business, so GTG. They import from all over the world.
If you know very little about doubles I would suggest that you not buy anything from a private party. There's just too much junk out there for the novice to navigate.
Here's a good bit of information on the makers.
doublegunshop.com Shotgun Makers and Shotgun Sellers - British game gun or British rifle
I don't know a lot about double rifles but I've had a few British shotguns. PM me about any British maker if you have any questions. I have some out-of-print and hard to find books on the subject and can maybe help you with your project. It's an interesting and deep subject with a lot of history not unlike S&W revolvers.
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bigmoose
Member
Chapuis makes some beautiful double rifles under $8000 and chambered in some readily available cartridges.
geeollie
Member
Champlin Firearms in Enid, Oklahoma is a good place to snoop around for double rifle information.
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