| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 28/05/11 04:34 AM |
one of the missing links
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found in the holts online catalog: http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com/asp...8&saletype=
THOMAS HORSLEY
A RARE .577 BLACK POWDER EXPRESS 1863 PATENT PULL-BACK TOPLEVER BAR-IN-WOOD SINGLE-BITE SNAP-ACTION PINFIRE DOUBLE HAMMER RIFLE, no visible serial number,
29 3/4in. black powder only damascus barrels, six groove rifling, raised rib with open sights and folding adjustable iron sight (missing slide), T. Horsley patent action incorporating Horsley patent pull back toplever, patent no. 2410 of 1st October 1863, use number 85, carved serpentine fences, faceted pinfire hammers, bar-in-wood, bold acanthus scroll engraving with ropework borders, triggerguard retaining traces of game scenes, possible replaced tang, brushed finish overall, 14 1/4in. boldly-figured stock including scroll-engraved steel buttplate
Estimate £3,000-5,000
a pinfire express double rifle made between October 1863 and ... I would say 1868?
| tinker |
| (.416 member) |
| 28/05/11 11:11 AM |
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Re: one of the missing links
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Lancaster-
Great find!!
Thanks for putting this up.
I question their language of '.577 Express'
Without a chamber cast I really wonder just what kind of charge this rifle was made to handle.
It definitely appears to be a nice looking rifle.
I'd love to see the rest if it.
On date of manufacture, I'd say possibly '63 but much later than that...
This makes me want to see more.
Maybe I can contact the auction house and get more photos and/or more detail.
Cheers
Tinker
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 28/05/11 11:58 AM |
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Re: one of the missing links
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Oh WOW! Beautiful.
| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 28/05/11 04:48 PM |
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Re: one of the missing links
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the british double rifle dont fall from the sky. there was an evolution between 1860 and lets say 1885 wenn all was ready only missed the nitro powder and modern bullets.
it all startet with the high quality muzzle loader double rifle from the hands of joseph manton which was on his peak in 1860. they had to find a breech loading action and a cartridge, put an unusual high black powder load in it and the black powder express rifle was born. all in the years when military trials for a new military cartridge were held with 450, 500 and 577 caliber cases of different length and the pinfire action and cartridge reach britain for showing that the hole concept works.
I would say this rifle here is chamber for the 24 ga 2,5" pinfire paper shell, not realy a express round but they had learned from this
| tinker |
| (.416 member) |
| 28/05/11 10:51 PM |
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Re: one of the missing links
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Lancaster-
This period of development is definitely my favorite era of the modern sporting arm. I especially like these very rare high grade pinfire double rifles!!
I've asked the auction house for more photos, and if they can measure the chamber length. I won't hold my breath, but I am crossing a finger...
Cheers
Tinker
CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 28/05/11 11:21 PM |
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Re: one of the missing links
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Tinker, that rifle is right up your alley. You could make that rascal sing. Beautiful. Thanks Lancaster.
Curl