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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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thumper
.224 member


Reged: 29/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: New Mexico, USA
John Wilks Double Rifle
      #42478 - 29/11/05 06:07 AM

I saw this on one of the auction sites.

John Wilks 475 #2 Double Rifle.

Doe anyone know a short history on this maker?

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bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: thumper]
      #42489 - 29/11/05 08:28 AM

It might be difficult getting brass for that monster. Some people poke fun at ole 470NE, but cases are abundant.

--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

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mickey
.416 member


Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: thumper]
      #42495 - 29/11/05 10:31 AM

I have had three Wilkes rifles and my partner has one presently. T hey recently went out of business as one of the Brothers, John? had cancer. The two brothers were son's of the original John Wilkes and are quite elderly.

I have been to the old shop a few times quite enjoyed a 'real 'gunmakers shop. Piles of barrels, etc everywhere. recently they did mostly repairs I believe and rechambrings.

Their rifles are first rate and I would put them in the same class as Evans and Westley Richards..

Here's the target for the Wilkes.

]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Gatorator/Gators%20Pictures/470Wilkes.jpg[/image]

The 475#2 is my 'Ultimate' cartridge. The plunk the cartridges make going into the barrel are the best of any Double.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

Edited by NitroX (06/12/05 01:21 AM)

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400NitroExpress
.400 member


Reged: 26/11/03
Posts: 1154
Loc: Lone Star State
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: thumper]
      #42504 - 29/11/05 12:19 PM

Among the best of the British double rifles. Wilkes was an oddity among the London gunmakers. They actually built most of the boxlock double rifles they sold, which was extremely unusual in the London trade. They also built quite a few doubles for the trade, which was also uncommon in London. They made great stuff. Their Beak Street shop (near Regent Circus, Soho) was a trip back in time. The place hadn't seen a paint brush since they moved in back in '27.

Good cartridge, and brass and ammo aren't a problem. Horneber makes the brass, and Kynoch loads ammo.
----------------------------------------------------

--------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

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mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #42526 - 29/11/05 05:38 PM

400NitroExpress,

The company still exists though they have moved to new premises. I have heard that they have recently made substantial investments in CNC machinery to manufacture their double rifles and I saw a picture of a recent 700 NE that they had made somewhere though I cannot immediately recall where it was.

This website has a comprehensive bit of information about the company and the owners are the British gun trade. You could register there free and go into their Historical Database or even post on their rifle forums for more information.

Best wishes and do post a picture of the rifle in question over here!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar

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N320AW
.224 member


Reged: 15/08/05
Posts: 27
Loc: Georgia USA
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: thumper]
      #42786 - 02/12/05 03:43 PM

A little Wilkes trivia for ya.

John " Pondoro " Taylor's last DB was a Wilkes box-lock .450 #2. The rifle was confiscated by the Portuguese police from Mandimba when his gunbearer & friend, Aly, was caught poaching Hippo with it at Lake Amaramba (1950-52).

Reports have it that the rifle was later sold to an American collector and that the " deal " was put together in South Africa by a prominent attorney as Taylor's personal property.

Wonder where that Wilkes is today?

--------------------
" Nature does not care whether the hunter slays the beast or the beast the hunter She will make good compost of them both and her ends are prospered whichever succeeds. "

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Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3591
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: N320AW]
      #42826 - 03/12/05 12:41 AM

Well SOMEONE knows where it is!



Sounds like it may have been a .470 though, rather than a .450 #2.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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N320AW
.224 member


Reged: 15/08/05
Posts: 27
Loc: Georgia USA
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: Marrakai]
      #42831 - 03/12/05 02:27 AM

WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU FIND THAT PHOTO?

--------------------
" Nature does not care whether the hunter slays the beast or the beast the hunter She will make good compost of them both and her ends are prospered whichever succeeds. "

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mickey
.416 member


Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: N320AW]
      #42836 - 03/12/05 02:47 AM

Taylor had a 450 3 1/4 Wilkes serial number 4988 that he sold to Steve Miller, a US citizen, in 1965. In 1970 that rifle was owned by Dr C Robert White. of Missoula Montana. I think I remember it coming up for sale a few years ago. No claim to it being the last rifle made for him.

The picture I have of that rifle is the same one Marrakai posted that labeled it a 470.



--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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N320AW
.224 member


Reged: 15/08/05
Posts: 27
Loc: Georgia USA
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: mickey]
      #42885 - 03/12/05 11:12 AM

Mickey . . . something is very wrong here!

John Taylor was deported from Nyasaland in 1958. He went to London and lived there until his death in 1968. During this time he lived in virtual poverty with employment as a park-keeper and dog kennel employee.

He owned no weapons, whatsoever, during this 10 year period of his life.

I am very curious as to the source of your information and would appreciate seeing it!

--------------------
" Nature does not care whether the hunter slays the beast or the beast the hunter She will make good compost of them both and her ends are prospered whichever succeeds. "

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mickey
.416 member


Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: N320AW]
      #42894 - 03/12/05 12:16 PM

Guns and Ammo/August 1970

TAPS FOR THE GREAT PONDORO

A bill of sale for the rifle dated:

5 August 1965
PRETORIA
Transvaal, South Africa

On this 5th day of August, 1965, I, John Taylor, PO BOX 177,
Mozambique, P.E.A., passport U.K.573908, have sold the following firearm to Steven G Miller, U.S.A. , 0-756495
residing at Doornkloof, IRENE, South Africa, and
a holder of a South African Firearms permit #M-5479 (transit)
expiring September 15th, 1965.

One, J. Wilkes of London Boxlock double barreled rifle, serial
#4988, caliber 450 3 1/4inch Nitro Express. The rifle is
accompanied by forty cartridges mfd. Kynoch and designated as solids.

This firearm is listed as item #5 on my firearms permit
issued 11 June, 1965 and expiring 11 September, 1965

Signed by John Taylor

Witnessed by Louis Weyers

Along with a hand written note:

1 July 1965
PEA

To Steve Miller an
young "old" African hand
from a far older "old"
African Hand.

John Taylor

N320AW

Where did you get your information he never returned to Africa?

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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N320AW
.224 member


Reged: 15/08/05
Posts: 27
Loc: Georgia USA
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: mickey]
      #42897 - 03/12/05 02:10 PM

My information comes from two sources:

1. " A man called Lion ", Safari Press, 1994, Peter Capstick

2. Alexander Maitland, Executor, estate of John H. Taylor, with whom I had personal contact in 1989.

I am curious about this and never saw the G&A article. What else did it say?

Thanks


--------------------
" Nature does not care whether the hunter slays the beast or the beast the hunter She will make good compost of them both and her ends are prospered whichever succeeds. "

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mickey
.416 member


Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: John Wilks Double Rifle [Re: N320AW]
      #42898 - 03/12/05 02:41 PM

Well, you can't believe much of anything Capstick said. He was a writer of fiction.

I knew Alex in the early 80's, a bit of a , don't you think?

I still have some letters around from him somewhere. He sent me copies of all of his letters to and from Taylor, the ones for sale now from Ellen.

I don't know if he left England or not, but somebody went to PEA for a 3 month hunt with Miller.

It is a eulogy for him after his death. I have a copy of it but I don't think it will photograph and read here. I'll give it a try though.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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