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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles

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casper50
.400 member

Reged: 18/10/07
Posts: 1446
Loc: Alaska

Army & Navy .500 double rifle
#362198 - 18/02/22 08:18 AM

I just bought a .500 caliber A&N double rifle from Rock Island. They say that the serial number is 529. My books only list A&N serial numbers beginning in 1890 with #3466. Anyone have any info on their numbers pre 1890? Then began in 1871 but I don't know when they began selling firearms. Thanks.

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27009
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: casper50]
#362199 - 18/02/22 08:23 AM

Very interesting, indeed. The bottom picture makes the muzzles appear to be slightly heavy walled 20 bore's.
The ratio to the gun's size, is what I was referring to.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39896
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: DarylS]
#362226 - 18/02/22 11:38 PM

Looks good. Hope it shoots. My .500 Ex is muzzle heavy. Is yours?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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casper50
.400 member

Reged: 18/10/07
Posts: 1446
Loc: Alaska

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: NitroX]
#362229 - 19/02/22 12:25 AM

Haven't received it yet. Just won the auction 2 days ago.

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Longknife
.333 member

Reged: 17/04/08
Posts: 263
Loc: Illinois

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: casper50]
#362231 - 19/02/22 01:06 AM

I saw that on the auction. The estimate was remarkably low, hope you got a good deal!!!!

--------------------
Longknife

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casper50
.400 member

Reged: 18/10/07
Posts: 1446
Loc: Alaska

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: Longknife]
#362235 - 19/02/22 01:36 AM

It was a bit more at $1900 + commission than I'd have paid at an English auction but the paperwork and shipping would have pushed it past that.

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Longknife
.333 member

Reged: 17/04/08
Posts: 263
Loc: Illinois

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: casper50]
#362236 - 19/02/22 01:40 AM

Still a good price if the bore is nice!!!. I paid over twice that for my 500 BPE several years ago.

--------------------
Longknife

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39896
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: Longknife]
#362325 - 19/02/22 08:40 PM

Quote:

Still a good price if the bore is nice!!!. I paid over twice that for my 500 BPE several years ago.

I did as well here. I did pay too much.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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CJF
.333 member

Reged: 07/08/17
Posts: 274
Loc: United States

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: NitroX]
#362332 - 19/02/22 10:48 PM

I watched that one. I liked the overall lines of the stock. The fences, light weight finial on the under lever and the forearm thru wedge all say early to me. Curious if this turns out to be 1875-80.

What are your opinions on RIA’s auction photography? They never seem to give close ups of the actions. Frustrating.

Keep us posted!

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casper50
.400 member

Reged: 18/10/07
Posts: 1446
Loc: Alaska

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: CJF]
#362363 - 20/02/22 04:22 AM

CJF I agree. They usually post quite a few photos but no close ups.

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casper50
.400 member

Reged: 18/10/07
Posts: 1446
Loc: Alaska

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: casper50]
#362364 - 20/02/22 04:26 AM

Daryl an enlargement of the above photo. Best that I can get with their photos.

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TH44
.375 member

Reged: 21/02/09
Posts: 734
Loc: West UK

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: casper50]
#362373 - 20/02/22 10:18 AM

Lovely rifle thanks for posting and definitely a bargain

Agree it is early, wedge fore end and what looks like non-rebounding locks (can't see for sure) and maybe Bar locks not back action

Possibly built by W&C Scott or Philip Webley lovely fences
With medium height hammers 1875-1880 one can never be sure but all the signs are there

Please post pics when you get it (and range report if you shoot it!)

TH44

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rigbymauser
.400 member

Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 1972
Loc: Denmark

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: TH44]
#362838 - 28/02/22 05:28 AM

Lovely rifle. Thanks for sharing.

Its an early baraction with nonerebounding hammers. My guess its in the 1870s this gun was made.

Edited by rigbymauser (28/02/22 05:30 AM)

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93x64mm
.416 member

Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4204
Loc: Nth QLD Australia

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: rigbymauser]
#362839 - 28/02/22 07:18 AM

Lovely piece of kit there Casper!
Shame about no close ups, lets see what she can do when the weather turns a bit warmer!

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27009
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: 93x64mm]
#362841 - 28/02/22 09:20 AM

Yes - looking forward to that.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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CJF
.333 member

Reged: 07/08/17
Posts: 274
Loc: United States

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: casper50]
#384691 - 06/05/24 07:15 AM

Quote:

CJF I agree. They usually post quite a few photos but no close ups.

I had a discussion with Rock Island's head of acquisitions at the 2024 spring Southern last month about the quality of their photos. He was surprised by feedback, which is that they rarely show detail of the areas necessary to determine condition and value. Meaning they usually don't have a pic of the top of the action showing how the barrels mate the action and the position of the top lever. Basically what they do take has improved greatly in the past 2 or 3 years, but they are still missing key photos.

I promised him some examples. I need to get that done.

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85lc
.400 member

Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1031
Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: CJF]
#384694 - 06/05/24 09:26 AM

Chris,

I am generally disappointed in their photos and description.

The pictures are a "walk around" like you see for a used car and not detailed pictures of markings and issues that the gun may have. RIA almost never gives a bore condition.

Several other auction houses provide much better pictures and more complete descriptions.

On the positive side, RIA's staff will answer questions and provide requested photographs.

--------------------
RB

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CJF
.333 member

Reged: 07/08/17
Posts: 274
Loc: United States

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: 85lc]
#384696 - 06/05/24 11:00 AM

I agree RIA does provide answers and photos if you ask. Any opinion on who does photos and descriptions best?

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Longknife
.333 member

Reged: 17/04/08
Posts: 263
Loc: Illinois

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: CJF]
#384701 - 06/05/24 11:57 PM

When will these auction houses learn that using a stark white background always darkens the subject and makes the detail hard to see??? On the other hand, Holts auction uses black and that also sometimes makes detail very hard to see. When I photograph a gun, I always try to use a medium neutral color that is easy on the eyes and makes detail pop out. I always use my phone and get excellent pics. It's NOT rocket science!!!!...LK

Edited by Longknife (07/05/24 12:02 AM)

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85lc
.400 member

Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1031
Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: Army & Navy .500 double rifle [Re: Longknife]
#384702 - 07/05/24 01:02 AM

Longknife,

Great point. I have looked at too many guns that look proising but the pidtures are too dark or out of focus. I know that it is difficult to correctly photograph a gun and show the details such that a potential buyer can see the details inlcuding flaws.

RIA is very good about answering questions and providing good phtographs of specific areas requested. However, some other auction houses are not that responsive.

Oh well, perhaps it is good that the pictures of some of the very interesting guns are poor quality. It puts the brakes on "spur of the moment" emotional buying, I have to really think about the rifle, including asking questions before bidding.

--------------------
RB

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