Forums.NitroExpress.com

A dealer that I have purchased from in the past told me he had taken in a 1928 Belgium built double, "let me send it to you and keep it if you like and send me a check or the rifle back." The asking price was virtually nill for what was described so I said sure.

What showed up was a, well 'petite' would be the best word to use, DR. Marked on the full length and fully (and well executed) matted rib was a panel that says "Janssen Fils & Co., Liege Belgium." The rifle is marked on the barrel flats as Nitro proofed, built/proofed in 1928, and chambered in ".360-21/4" Express." 28" nicely tapered barrels, sidleclips, Greener- style bolt, ejector, splinter forend, one fixed, two folding leaves, and something I rarely see on a double, a ladder with the slider from 50 to 400 ahead of the fixed/folding leaf sights. Very nice case colors, scroll engraved (about 70%) and while the barrels may have been reblacked sometime in the not recent past, the receiver and the case colors look original and are mostly all there with only a tad of fading and no wear on the engraving.

Needless to say, I grabbed it. However, I can't seem to find anything about the builder. Any information any of you might have would be appreciated. Also, I am a bit puzzled by the choice of cartridge, which is clearly the original chambering based on even a cursory inspection.

I have seen a number of 360 No. 2s, but the 360-21/4" Express was a much older cartridge, a hangover 'converted' BP and then BPE load, and not that common (as I understand it) in the time frame when this rifle was built. I could be wrong on this (and I generally don't know my butt from a hot rock on most subjects) so any light any of you could shed on this would help me deal with a puzzling aspect of an otherwise very nice and very 'appropriate' acquistion.

'Appropriate' since this DR was obvioulsy built for light game use. The rifle is perfectly proportioned for a light caliber such as the 360-21/4" Express, looking like a 28ga shotgun at first glance, and even more so when I stood it next to one of my 28ga doubles last night. Barrel length and LOP are about right for someone of average build who wanted a very light and handy DR for small game in Europe or Africn plains use, but again, why so obscure and virtually obsolete cartridge choice?

I have a Webley & Scott DR boxlock in 250-3000 Savage (and it is also an original chambering with the contemporaneous markings "250 Savage H.P. Cartridge" on the rib between the barrels and in the paperwork) of the same approximate vintage, there are a lot of DRs in 303, 400 Purdey, etc. Hell, there were a slew of other light shooting and flatter shooting rimmed cartridges to choose from in 1928, so why something so obscure in a rifle otherwise so obviously so carefully tailored and executed as a light game rifle and not something to be used at short range? Why not pick a flatter shooting cartridge or one easier (and cheaper) to shoot?

Inquiring minds would like to know. (Okay, this one, anyhow.)

I look forward to any thoughts you may have.

Thanks

Dave

--------------------
Time Wounds All Heels