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Oh My! You have Capt. McNeil's 577???
--AkMike

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Hello AkMike,

Yes indeed, this was Captain Malcolm McNeill's gun. This 577 double rifle is in the "rare" caliber 20-.577. This was a proprietary cartridge designed by the well known Scottish firm of Alex Henry. It is a 2 3/4" 20-gauge brass shotgun cartridge that is necked down to accept a .577 bullet.




Although I was originally looking for a .577 BPE, (black powder express) this rifle is actually a true "Nitro Express" being proved for 70 grains of "rifleite" which is an early form of cordite. This is the same powder charge as the standard .577 NE. These barrels were never intended for black powder.



Malcolm McNeill was born on January 30, 1866, the son of Lt-Col A.C. McNeill. In 1885, when he was only 19, he went into the British army. He served in several African campaigns and also in World War One where held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. McNeill won several medals and awards during his Military Service.



Unfortunately, he was killed in battle in France on March 6, 1917 during WWI. He is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France.



During his Military career, McNeill was also a big game hunter. Many of his hunting trophies are displayed in a museum in his home town of Oban, Scotland.

In addition, he also authored a book about his military life, and his hunting trips in Somaliland. The book is entitled, "In Pursuit of the Mad Mullah--Service and Sport in the Somali Protectorate." (printed 1902). In the book Captain McNeill tells of being sent to Africa's Somaliland. Before going to Africa in November of 1900, he purchased the Dickson / Henry so he would have an adequate big game hunting rifle.



The front plate in the book has a photograph of the McNeill sitting with this 20-.577 cradled in his arms. In the book he talks of taking 4 lions, 2 with this 20-.577 rifle.

This gun actually killed 2 Lions in 1901. How cool is that?



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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

Edited by CptCurl (28/09/13 09:57 PM)

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