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I imagine these were the "poor man" civil servants or farmers Nitro Express rifle of the day. Thise who could not afford a double rifle or a fancy single shot break open rifle.

No doubt could still do the job.

Others probably used standard medium sized rifles, especially ex-mil rifles to do the same thing.

I wonder how common they were back then.

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I would guess that the CERTUS .400 & .450 calibre Big Game Rifles were fairly rare as these were apparently only produced for 5 or 6 years (I have read 1900-1906).
Most commonly found chambered in .450/.400 3 1/4 as well as a much lesser known number of .450 3 1/4 NE. . It would be interesting to be able to research the Cogswell & Harrison records.
The rarity of the .450NE version is likely explained by the period .450 caliber restriction/ban in India & Sudan, India said to have been the principal British large game sporting market at that time.

I have a reprint of the Cogswell & Harrison 1903 catalog and will have to look up and compare prices, the CERTUS was certainly a fraction of the cost of a double rifle.

As to double rifle -vs- single shot -vs- bolt action repeater; cost being one factor, I suppose there could have been those fellows that simply were more inclined towards a bolt action repeater due military training or whatever.
Remember too that approximately that era Rigby had just contracted the exclusive rights to the magnum Mauser 98, so the CERTUS (as different as it was) would have been one of the only bolt action options in a big game calibre.

EDIT: I'm guessing that the .400 in that era would be nearly perfect as a Lion or tiger rifle...

- Mike

ADDED:
Looks like a CERTUS was approximately 1/3 the price of the same calibre C&H double rifle

SPITTLE

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"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields

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I imagine these were the "poor man" civil servants or farmers Nitro Express rifle of the day. Thise who could not afford a double rifle or a fancy single shot break open rifle.

No doubt could still do the job.

Others probably used standard medium sized rifles, especially ex-mil rifles to do the same thing.

I wonder how common they were back then.

---

I would guess that the CERTUS .400 & .450 calibre Big Game Rifles were fairly rare as these were apparently only produced for 5 or 6 years (I have read 1900-1906).
Most commonly found chambered in .450/.400 3 1/4 as well as a much lesser known number of .450 3 1/4 NE. . It would be interesting to be able to research the Cogswell & Harrison records.
The rarity of the .450NE version is likely explained by the period .450 caliber restriction/ban in India & Sudan, India said to have been the principal British large game sporting market at that time.

I have a reprint of the Cogswell & Harrison 1903 catalog and will have to look up and compare prices, the CERTUS was certainly a fraction of the cost of a double rifle.

As to double rifle -vs- single shot -vs- bolt action repeater; cost being one factor, I suppose there could have been those fellows that simply were more inclined towards a bolt action repeater due military training or whatever.
Remember too that approximately that era Rigby had just contracted the exclusive rights to the magnum Mauser 98, so the CERTUS (as different as it was) would have been one of the only bolt action options in a big game calibre.

EDIT: I'm guessing that the .400 in that era would be nearly perfect as a Lion or tiger rifle...

- Mike

ADDED:
Looks like a CERTUS was approximately 1/3 the price of the same calibre C&H double rifle

SPITTLE

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Was the action specifically designed to shoot long, rimmed NE calibers? What does the action and magazine look like w/ the bolt open?

I have only ever seen one of these pictured in a book years ago and thought..."That is the ugliest Mossberg-shotgun lookinest thing ever!...I want one!"

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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I thought Ash had said they were single shots? What is the managazine capacity? Thanks.

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I thought Ash had said they were single shots? What is the managazine capacity? Thanks.

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I thought Ash had said they were single shots? What is the managazine capacity? Thanks.

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John,
The CERTUS’ “big game” rifles in the Nitro Express calibres are magazine rifles.
There were options as to magazine capacity as I have seen one on a video with a blind mag that held 2 down. Mine has a flush floorplate mag (seen in pictures) that holds 3 down. I also have seen catalog drawings and photos of a removable “drop mag” option that hangs maybe 5/8” below the stock.
Somewhere, maybe in old references, I have seen mention of early CERTUS rifles in smaller calibres that were single shots.
- Mike

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Here are a couple pix from a book. One supposedly a SS and the other a mag rifle. {1977 dated, so the $$ might just be a wee bit off... }



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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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Cogswell & Harrison CERTUS in .450/.400 3 1/4" NE
A relatively rare "blast from the past" and certainly an unusual design.......quintessentially British.

Right now this old girl is with Steve Bertram www.bertramandco.com getting a little mild restoration facelift.
Nothing too major; repair the boltface that has been damaged by pierced/leaky primers, pick up the mostly polished out barrel address and serial number on the trigger guard, fill some minor pitting on the action ring.

Word back from Cogswell & Harrison is that this one was finished in March 1903 and made for "P. Orr & Sons - Madras & Rangoon".
The 26" barrel measures .410" in the grooves and is in near excellent condition. It is stamped with 60 Grain Cordite proof tho typical CERTUS specific ammo was a 56 grain loading. (tropical load?)
The magazine on this one is the flush with the wood 3 down option.
This particular example is fitted with a spring loaded "bush safety" ahead of the bolt handle, evidently meant to keep the bolt handle from being pulled up out of battery while stalking. It does require some dexterity to depress the "bush safety" while initially lifting the bolt for the 2nd (or 3rd) shot.

Range report at such time as Steve gets her back to me.
- Mike

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Lets hope the range report goes well for you Mike - Are you going to try just the "tropical' load or see where she shoots to the sights (full 60gn cordite load)?

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I thought Ash had said they were single shots? What is the managazine capacity? Thanks.

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John,
The CERTUS’ “big game” rifles in the Nitro Express calibres are magazine rifles.
There were options as to magazine capacity as I have seen one on a video with a blind mag that held 2 down. Mine has a flush floorplate mag (seen in pictures) that holds 3 down. I also have seen catalog drawings and photos of a removable “drop mag” option that hangs maybe 5/8” below the stock.
Somewhere, maybe in old references, I have seen mention of early CERTUS rifles in smaller calibres that were single shots.
- Mike

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Here are a couple pix from a book. One supposedly a SS and the other a mag rifle. {1977 dated, so the $$ might just be a wee bit off... }

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where is the bolt for the 450NE rifle or is it a lefty?

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Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
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bringing civilisation to the barbarians

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Update:
The period 56 grain Cordite “CERTUS” load (equivalent to .450/.400 3 1/4” tropical load) replicated with 66 grains of Reloader-15 and a 400 grain Woodleigh chronographs at average ~1920’/sec out of this rifle.
Pressure signs are normal.
I’m sure it worked just fine on the Tigers, Buffalo, etc. in India and Burma.
- Mike

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