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I was discussing the origins of the double rifle with a mate of mine today, but we have no idea as to whether our ideas are correct..or even close ![]() We were thinking that the idea of two barrels originated as a method to get a repeater, probably from muzzle loading days. As time moved on and the repeater became available those repeaters were not able to handle the very large cartridges. The value of the double rifle as a DG gun was not part of the original design but rather something that became obvious at a later date, that is, when being compared to bolt actions. Mike |
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Quote: Most think the muzzle loading double shotgun, was first, but IMO, that is backwards! I believe it is more likely that the first doubles were smooth bore muskets, that were primarily intended for ball, than shot, though both were used. It is more likely the double muskets were loaded and carried with ball, than with shot, because you would have need of a second quick shot for large animals than you would with birds, or small game, and the ball would act as protection against enemies better than shot! One of the first double RIFLES was an American thing in the form of a swivel barreled flint lock RIFLE, used in the colonies for hunting, and protection frm Indians. Many of the shotguns of that time were single barrels. Quote: I think the double rifle came along long before the repeaters, and by the time the Percussion cap took over from the flintlock, most double rifles were no longer seen much, because of the speed of loading, and the comparitively long range of the long rifles. War weapons were still smooth bore till around the civil war in the colonies, and the big single shots had gone to the cape of good hope settlers in Africa, and india. These were very large bore guns, for very large animals in Africa, and in the colonies, we didn't need any thing other than a rifle that would kill a moose, or bear, and that could usually be done at longer range, so the single barrels cought hold here in the states, while The Britts started to buils double rifle, for the INDIA, and AFRICA holdings, where very large dangerous aniimals, and spear yealding locals were a worry! ![]() |
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The double rifle long predates the shotgun in any form. There are many examples of flintlock double rifles while the true shotgun did not appear until the percussion lock. Prior to the percussion lock there were “fowlers”, smooth bored guns used for ducks and the like. The technique was to hide in a blind and shoot at sitting ducks. The pan flash gave warning to the birds and precluded effective wing shooting. The guns had long barrels, were heavy and unbalanced since handling was not an important consideration. With the advent of the percussion lock wing shooting became practical and the true shotgun was developed with its balance and fast handling qualities. As for single barrel vs double barrel, it was mostly a matter of money. The British (or Continental) hunter was likely to be well heeled and able to pay for the double. Here in America, the common man was doing the bulk of the hunting and the single barrel fit the bill. The double shotgun appeared to some extent because they are inherently cheaper in the lower grades than a regulated double rifle. Almost all the American made muzzle loading double rifles I have seen were turn barrels whch are not usually considered to be a true double rifle. There is a miss-perception that the double rifle was developed only for big game. They were developed for all classes of shooting from rooks to elephants. The “Express Rifle” was originally developed for deer sized game, not big game. It was not suitable for big game until after the advent of smokeless by which time the term “express” had lost its original meaning and was only an ad copy writer’s term any way. Prior to, and during the advent of the “express rifle” only black powder was available and big game rifles got their horse power from VERY large bores rather than express velocities. The turn bolt rifle first appeared as a military weapon and the spread into the sporting field. It’s true the turn bolt cannot handle the cartridge length the double can and it was not until the wide spread use of smokeless that the turn bolt could pack enough horse power into the limited case length to compete in the big game field. (Big game meaning the kind that might turn the tables, deer are "buck", not big game.) BTW: The term “express rifle” originally meant a breech loading rifle firing a very large charge of black powder behind a light for caliber bullet to produce velocities in of 1700 fps or more. The bullets were typically fitted with wings to fit deep two or four groove rifling to prevent stripping. They were often of 0.50 caliber or so, and with the light bullet, were in the deer sized game class. |
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The great advantages of having a "repeater" over a single barrelled rifle are so obvious, before the invention of true "repeater" rifles. As has been said above many early DRs were in medium sized calibres for medium sized game. With more modern bolt action (and other) designs in smaller and medium calibres offering multiple shots, the DR in heavy calibres came into its own where the second shot being instantly available became more important for dangerous game hunting. The reason they are again growing in popularity today with 'relatively' cheaper modern made DRs available to the average 'heeled' hunter. Still haven't been replaced as an ideal for close fast hunting of running game, with the balance of a shotgun, or for closer action on dangerous game. JMOs. Great thread and comments in the thread above. |
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Fellows, Thanks for posting the info Mike |
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I remember a series of magazine articles many years ago on the guns of the (American) pioneers. The writer pointed out that most of the ML shotguns had the muzzles cut at a very slight angle from center to outward edge. It was surmised this was to facilitate something akin to "regulating" the guns for use with balls. Many of these people moving west with only those belongings fitting in a wagon (or less!) didn't have room for various guns even if they were affordable or available. Hence they choose a double shotgun offering two shots without reloading and could use shot or ball. The number of different guns shown with documented history to the trek west seemed to endorse this idea. I sure wish I had those magazines today for reference but if this was true it's sure the idea had been around long before then. |
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I have two German double flint rifles, a SxS and an O&U, two barrels, two lock. Both about 1770 and about .65. European swivel breech double rifles show up from time to time - they did not originate in America - and in fact the Austrians had a swivel breech FL military musket, I don't recall right now whether both barrels were rifled or only one. Contrary to what one of the posts stated, double FL shotguns were used for flying birds and Joseph Manton was famous for making upland bird double flinters. A Manton double FL would be an interesting bird gun even now, they are beautifully balanced. The Brits made double FL rifles too but far fewer of them than the Germans ... but the Brits were not much as rifle shooters anyway until they began to get into India and Africa. |