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An optimist

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Made by "J. D. Dougall." ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING UK MAKERS AND A MAKER OF VERY FINE ARMS. The blue on the barels is original and appears the stock is not refinished. It is in great original condition for an antique double rifle. Chambered for the popular British military and sporting round the .577-450. Rebounding sidelock hammers, rebounding firing pins are two features thought show quality. This fine double rifle has 28 INCH steel barrels and fantastic rifle bores. They have the "Henry Patent Elliptical Rifling" type which was the finest of its day (other than the Whitworth's rifling). The Henry rifling was the best as far as fouling was concerned. You could just keep on shooting! This gun is VERY High grade and in good condition. THIS FINE RIFLE ALSO comes with A SPARE SET OF DOUGLE 16ga BARRELS WITH BRIGHT SHINY BORES. Really nice barresl w/ no dings and minty bores… THE BARRELS ARE DAMASCUS BUT I IMAGINE THEY COULD BE NITRO PROOFED IF ONE WANTED TO DO SO. DOUGLE WAS ONE OF THE FINEST MAKERS AND USED THE BEST STEELS. BARRELS ARE TYPICAL south africa AFRIKAANER LENTGTH. THEY LOVED LOOOOONG BARRESL AND THESE ARE 35 INCHES LONG. CHOKED I/C AND I/C...Another very interesting and very English - African feature, and one of my favorites, is the "Selous plates" or "Selous Straps" on the wrist. Courtney Selous often ordered brand new rifles with this type of "repair" already in place on new guns. When a wrist broke or cracked in Africa is was commonplace to repair it and then have these straps or plates inletted or added on over the cracked part. If well done, as on this rifle, the plates can be quite beautiful. Sometimes they were not so well done! But on this gun they are gorgeous. Anyway, Selous would order new guns with these plates already on the guns and thus they became known as "Selous Straps." These are quite nice because they are shaped for decorative purposes. See how they form to the shape of the wrist? Cool! I love them! I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE STRAPS OFF SO I DONT KNOW IF THESE WERE A REPAIR OR simply precautionary AND SIMPLY PLACED ON FOR PROTECTION. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THE GUN HAS BEEN SHOT QUITE A BIT AND NO PROBLEM WITH THE STOCK. Gun locks up 100% tight even with the forend off. This is an interesting and historic arm from deepest darkest Africa. This is a great gun in fine condition and would make a fantastic vintage hunting weapon in my opinion! The gun is left handed and has one standing and 5 folding leafs from 100-600 yards. The sights are set with fine platinum strips in the center for sighting. There is a sterling silver escutcheon on the bottom of the stock for initials and it has not been filled in. The trigger guard extends all the way down the wrist for extra strength. Butt plate is real horn and checkered. has A ROUND BODY TYPE OF ACTION WHICH IS VERY SLEEK AND IT HAS THE LEVER LOCKING TYPE OF FORENED WHICH IS A BONUS. There is a small silver plaque on the bottom of the butt stock for initials (not filled in) and it has sling eyes installed. Also is nicely engraved and would look even beter with a little it of clean up of the wood, action and brass. (Not refinish, just clean) A very nice rifle and should be taken BACK to Africa for a hunt!

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