Hi, I acquired Ionides' .470 william evans rifle in Tanzania around ten years ago. I had the ejectors replaced back in 99 by william evans of london and at the same time they re-blued and tightened up the gun. They also stated how impressed they were at condition of the bores. In 2001, I had the rifle in the gun house in Arusha and unfortunately the gun house got flooded, causing pitting on the outside of the rifle. In 2006, I sent the rifle to champlin arms where JJ removed approx. 98 percent of the pitting. They also re-regulated the rifle, re-engraved the barrels and tightened up the gun. Long story short, the rifle is in great condition and I am interested in selling it. I have a copy of the original transaction between Ionides and william evans that took place in 1927. The rifle was made in 1919 and Ionides was the first owner. He got the rifle shipped to Mombasa in 1928. For those of you who don't know who Ionides is, he was known as the father of the Selous Game reserve back in the early 1900's. I have no idea what the rifle's real value is, but I am willing to take $25000 for it.

wadeb