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Gentlemen, Wow, what an eventful Saturday morning. Woke up early feeling pretty fresh. Left the wife in bed to snooze a while longer. Keyed up NitroExpress.com, and it all went south on greased skids. There for the world see was what I have secretly known all along: that I am an ignorant dolt. But now I feel so much better. I just came back indoors from my raging fit, having thrown my Woodward .400 into the Jackson River; rifle, case, accouterments, sling hook, sling, BARRELS, and all!! We’ve got a pretty good flow right now, and I last saw it all floating bottom up as it went around the bend below the house. If anybody wants it, you might catch it passing Richmond in seven to ten days. These facts I do know about the rifle (from Purdey’s): It was delivered in 1891 to the Hon. E.S. Douglas-Pennant; originally a .400; 27” barrels; 8 lbs. 7 oz.; pistol hand stock; cheekpiece. On November 22 I did send a letter to Purdey’s asking for their records on this rifle. With my letter I enclosed a CD containing the photographs I had taken of the gun, including the photo of the barrel flats, with proofing. It will be interesting to see what Purdey’s reports. Now, in seriousness, I appreciate the information. I am not an expert on English proofing, or English rifles, for that matter. I suppose I did assume the barrels to be original to the gun. I certainly knew 1891 is a pretty early date for a nitro cartridge. Now, faced with the possibility, or probability, that they are replacements I find that I am more ashamed of my ignorance than of my rifle. Perhaps the rifle was born a .400 BPE and later graduated with a “Nitro degree” and new barrels. Even if this is so, it’s still a Woodward through and through. I love it just the same. In fact, maybe all the more for the improvement. Any further information is welcome. And, by the way, it does have sling hooks! Best regards, CptCurl |