Mike,
There is a story and it is a sorted tale of forth with despair and elation.

A long time ago and in a galaxy far, far away. . . . .

I own a 450/400 3 inch double rifle. Some years ago I found that the 404 Jeffery was touted as the "magazine" version of the 450/400. A stretch by anyone imagination, but hey I'm game.

I decided to have built a pair. One left handed and one right handed rifle. The lefty is a surprise present to my buddy David Guitar.

I bought blanks from a great fellow Robert Watts at www.wattswalnut.com.
I bought 26" .423 Lothar-Walther barrels and ordered long chrome Moly Montana Rifle company actions.
I had these all sent to John Ricks in Port Angeles, WA.
At this point we interject scenes from "Sleeping Beauty" with the castle surrounded with thorns and darkness.

After a long time of darkness, a prince in the form of a Port Angeles Sheriff's Deputy appears at Rick's place and calls me and tells me that I can now call Mr. Ricks he will answer the phone. I did and I did get back all my parts and money from John after a two and a half year nap.

Enter the Hero of our tale, Tip Burns of Canyon Lake, Texas. Burns Gun Repair, Canyon Lake Texas Like most good Texicans, he is a good man who speaks the truth plainly! When the parts arrived at Tips place I went to meet him and see what had been done. Nothing had been done. Everything was NIB no tool marks. Despite being told that one of the rifles was almost finished!

Also included in our little band of heroes is John Valicek of Canyon Lake a professional stock maker and Roger Kehr(AKA Scrollcutter on AR) of Washington State, Kehr Engraving Company (360)456-0831

In less than a year after the parts were delivered to Tip Burns. The rifles are complete and all the work engraving and stock making are beautiful and the rifle shoot!

A tale of Horror with a very happy ending! Don't you think?