'curl,

You are correct,the misfire gun,given to Patterson by the doctor in exchange for his own lee-speed 303, due apparently to its superior power,was a farquharson gun alright,very nice too,looked something like a .500 cal......

I did like the lee-speed sporter though, must say,what a beauty. A must for my satisfaction one of these days!

Dugaboy a Westley sounds right enough.....sidelock,with dark case hardening colours.

What Daryk says is right, the 450's and up,even bp's were used for big game.....one used it on elephant,but with hardened bullets and precise shooting i guess......

I am currently reading wild beats and their ways,by the master himself, White-Baker.

He lists;

The generally recognised small-bores, all of which are termed "Express"
from the large charge of powder, are as follow:--

Small-bore Charge of Large- Charge of For all Game
Express. Powder. bores. Powder. such as*

'577 6 1/2 drams 4 bore 14 drams Elephants.
'500 5 1/2 " 8 " 14 " Rhinoceros.
'450 5 " 10 " 12 " Buffaloes.
'400 4 " 12 " 10 "
'360 Toys.
'295 Toys.

So, damn....i am certainly aiming to purchase a 577x3!!!!!! Not to say i'd illegally hunt ele with it,just that i do like a history of great capability with a gun....Baker's views are important,to say the least.....but he does go on to note that these rounds are not STOPPERS, but are for well aimed shots.

Ben