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India still has English Doubles hidden away in private / family "collections". I know of a Mantons 470 & a pair of Wesley Richards 476 & 280. I have seen & handled these rifles. I have heard of several others. Even more bolt rifles are poping us as there is little opportunity to use them now. Regading fine shotguns, it is surprising how many come up in remote villages in terrible condition. I have seen Woodward & H&H with broken stocks, pitted barrels & village people using black powder (read blasting powder). These are probably guns used by British offices before independance & either sold or presented to local people. The Tea Plantation industry had some fine shotguns that were left behind by the British planters. Some old planters used to present their firearms to their young successors. This was a common tradition until the 1960's. A few good guns are still around. A large number of old firearms is with the movie industry in India. Some of these were "deactivated" by the authorities while others were stamped with new ID numbers etc. I know of an H&H which went down that track. |