docEE

Welcome.

Firstly I am not going to guess at the numbers of doubles around. There are much more informed members on this board to give you that sort of info. Hopefully one or more will hazard a guess.

But they are and have always been relatively scarce as they have never been cheap. In Australia there were a fair number of doubles which came here from India after WW2. Some of these have left Aussie shores for the USA and back to the UK where most of them actually originated (ie were manufactured).

Contary to popular belief today from my readings I believe most doubles were made for India rather than Africa. Of course Africa was and is an ideal habitat for the double. But at the turn and beginning of the last century the sportsman and maharajah of the Indian sub-continent was the principal market for at least the English made doubles.

Europe has always had a strong double rifle following and provides a considerable number of double rifle manufacturers.

The USA has always had a number of keen enthusiasts with some very famous individuals historically.

Now all these countries have a growing following looking for these classic rifles.

But don't assume black powder doubles are not usuable. Some were subsequently nitro proofed but were originally made for black powder. And others are loaded for using Nitro for Black Powder loads. They make lovely doubles for medium sized game. These doubles also tend to be more affordable. Perhaps half to two-thirds a nitro version of the same calibre (?). If you want one and do not intend using it on dangerous game, they are a good choice.

I would not say no to a black powder double in a suitable big bore calibre for pig hunting and an occasional deer. Hopefully one day I will add one to the battery.