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English Gentleman's Battery (or Lefty Gun Porn)

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12 July 2010, 13:36
Deerdogs
English Gentleman's Battery (or Lefty Gun Porn)
Chaps,
It has been a while in the making - eight years since I purchased the action, but I recently took delivery of my Charles Lancaster 375 H&H.

The details are are follows:

Maker: Charles Lancaster, London, England.
Calible: 375 H&H with 5 in the magazine.
Action: LH double square bridge Reimer Johannsen Magnum Mauser.
Mounts: Custom Best London style hand detachable.
"Colonial" style engraving by Dave Tallett.
Open sights: 100, 200, 300 yds with flip over warthog Moon Sight
Wood - English walnut with metal grip trap, chequering is to an old Lancaster pattern.
Silver's English recoil reducer.

Shown alongside my 1936 James Purdey 12 bore sidelock ejector.

Just need to find some buffalo...














------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
13 July 2010, 06:26
srtrax
Well worth the wait, nice rifle!


ENJOY!!!


_____________________
Steve Traxson

13 July 2010, 09:49
The Metalsmith
Stunning rifle and 12 bore! Great combo. That is a well executed masterpiece that I'm sure every day of waiting was worth upon delivery.


"Molotov Cocktails don't leave fingerprints"
-Dr. Ski
13 July 2010, 17:34
Peter
Stunning rifle (even though it is is lefty). Now use some of that leftover oil on the door!!!!
Peter.


Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong;
15 July 2010, 05:20
Fjold
Beautiful gun, Richard. Outstanding example of a rifle built for someone who is correct handed.


Frank



"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953

NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite

15 July 2010, 05:30
Sevenxbjt
Wonderful pair of guns.
15 July 2010, 05:36
mauser93
Stunning firearms. Thank you for posting.

Did they come standard with bad teeth, or does Jas. W. Purdey & Son still regard that as an extra?
15 July 2010, 07:56
Michael Robinson
Love the rifle, Richard.

Can we see the other side? Does the stock have a cheekpiece?

What's the barrel length? Weight?

The polish and blue on the barrel are perfect.

Bravo!


Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
15 July 2010, 08:21
bwanamrm
A true English classic medium bore in the perfect do-anything, go-anywhere caliber. Well done!


On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling

Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
15 July 2010, 13:49
Deerdogs
Thanks for the kind comments. I'm thrilled with the rifle.

I'm in the heat of Dubai right now and the rifle is on the rack in the UK, so I'm not sure on exact weight. I like a bit of weight in a 375 as it makes it that much more pleasent to shoot... And this rifle will be shot and hunted as hard as I can. It is not a wall hanger.

Barrel length is 23 inches, there is a classic cheekpeice with shadow line, but I dont have any decent picture of it here, sorry. Here is the other side....






------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
15 July 2010, 21:28
jvw375
Nice rifle but love the Purdey, though!
15 July 2010, 21:30
bobby van der Putten
Why not use the double square bridge for a proper scope mount ?
16 July 2010, 13:49
Deerdogs
quote:
Originally posted by bobby van der Putten:
Why not use the double square bridge for a proper scope mount ?


This traditional design of scope mount is found only on best English rifles by the likes of H&H etc. They are known as H&H style mounts.

Advantages:
They are extremely robust.
They allow a nice low scope mounting.
They are hand detachable in a few seconds.
They keep their zero.
They do not weaken the receiver ring by drilling (moot point these days).

Putting any other kind of mount on this rifle would be like putting a set of Yellow Hat chromes on a Bentley!


------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
16 July 2010, 18:00
bobby van der Putten
in other words " pure snobbery " Wink

but I agree they succeeded in keeping it low
16 July 2010, 18:23
shakari
All a matter of taste and I'd call that mount on that rifle, very good taste.

Richard, you have a very nice pair of firearms there and as I'm also a southpaw and an Englishman and have to say it's especially nice to see a nice left handed English rifle! tu2

Can I ask how long the barrels are on the Purdy?






16 July 2010, 19:17
ddrhook
love the scope mounts myself. very nicely done
16 July 2010, 19:21
shakari
It also looks like we have similar tastes in shotguns.

Mine is a 1926 John dickson and Son. (Despite the label in the motor case)








16 July 2010, 19:25
talentrec
If a guy could only own two guns for hunting everything, I'd be perfectly content with these two! Fantastic!

Pete
16 July 2010, 23:48
shakari
I should have added that I've only recently bought the Dickson and am taking it up to Uganda in a week or so to give it a try on some wingshooting whilst I'm hunting the Karamoja with a client. Smiler






17 July 2010, 00:37
ddrhook
keep the Dickson away from Philip or you might have to take a stick to him to get it back Big Grin you know how much he likes shooting guinea foul
17 July 2010, 01:14
shakari
Well, I know how much he likes shooting AT guineafowl!! rotflmo






17 July 2010, 02:26
Rusty
Outstanding! Beautiful, both of them!


Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
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17 July 2010, 07:58
724wd
it's a nice rifle and all, but it sure would look better like this!




but really, fantastic rifle! a true beauty, even as a lefty!


NRA Life Member

Gun Control - A theory espoused by some monumentally stupid people; who claim to believe, against all logic and common sense, that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from robbing, raping, kidnapping, torturing and killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them that they cannot own a gun.
17 July 2010, 15:13
Claret_Dabbler
Beautiful pair of guns Richard.

I seem to remember you sold a LH Procter rifle a few years ago?

Get ye a 7x57 to match that 375 and you can hunt the world.

The Purdey is gorgeous, a decent English sidelock will be my next major, maybe last ever, aquisition....


Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you....
17 July 2010, 18:57
Deerdogs
quote:
Originally posted by shakari:
I should have added that I've only recently bought the Dickson and am taking it up to Uganda in a week or so to give it a try on some wingshooting whilst I'm hunting the Karamoja with a client. Smiler


Steve - nice shooter! 28 inch barrels on mine.


------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
17 July 2010, 19:01
Deerdogs
quote:
Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
Beautiful pair of guns Richard.

I seem to remember you sold a LH Procter rifle a few years ago?

Get ye a 7x57 to match that 375 and you can hunt the world.

The Purdey is gorgeous, a decent English sidelock will be my next major, maybe last ever, aquisition....


Thanks Brian

I have a 7x64 and I'm honestly struggling to justify another rifle with these on the rack.


------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
17 July 2010, 19:30
shakari
Deerdogs,

They looked longer than 28" but I guess it's the angle of the pic. My dickson is 29" so they're similarish.

Can I also ask if that motor case is a standard Purdey one and does it take 1 or 2 shotguns? Certainly looks helluva nice.

Also is the Purdey 2 1/2 chambers? My Dickson is and I have the devils own job finding cartridges for it at a decent price. I can buy 70mm rolled but they're damn near twice the price of the 2 1/2s.






18 July 2010, 00:25
Michael Robinson
Thanks for the additional photos, Richard.

I have always liked those H&H style scope mounts.

I also like a .375 to come in a bit on the heavier side - ten pounds scoped is a good weight for one, IMHO.

The only thing I would even consider changing on your rifle (besides making sure that the bolt handle was on the right side!), would be to add an inch or two more barrel.

Here's hoping you make a date with that buffalo some time soon! tu2


Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
18 July 2010, 02:32
heavenknows
quote:
Originally posted by Deerdogs:
quote:
Originally posted by bobby van der Putten:
Why not use the double square bridge for a proper scope mount ?


This traditional design of scope mount is found only on best English rifles by the likes of H&H etc. They are known as H&H style mounts.

Advantages:
They are extremely robust.
They allow a nice low scope mounting.
They are hand detachable in a few seconds.
They keep their zero.
They do not weaken the receiver ring by drilling (moot point these days).

Putting any other kind of mount on this rifle would be like putting a set of Yellow Hat chromes on a Bentley!


Right in every sentence......but same can be said from the Suhl type claw mounts. And to my taste it would be preferable for a Double Square Bridge Mauser.
So only your last sentence could be modified:
It is like putting the Spirit of Ecstasy from RR on a Mercedes Benz Wink
18 July 2010, 10:09
bobby van der Putten
I believe they put a German engine in their Bentleys Big Grin
18 July 2010, 10:24
Michael Robinson
Please don't confuse cars with rifles.

The Germans make the best cars.

The Brits have always made the best dangerous game bolt rifles.

Witness the Mauser Type As. British pattern German rifles.

Great, if one could not afford a decent Rigby, or Jeffery, to be sure . . . Big Grin


Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
18 July 2010, 11:56
Deerdogs
quote:
Originally posted by shakari:
Deerdogs,

They looked longer than 28" but I guess it's the angle of the pic. My dickson is 29" so they're similarish.

Can I also ask if that motor case is a standard Purdey one and does it take 1 or 2 shotguns? Certainly looks helluva nice.

Also is the Purdey 2 1/2 chambers? My Dickson is and I have the devils own job finding cartridges for it at a decent price. I can buy 70mm rolled but they're damn near twice the price of the 2 1/2s.


Steve
It is a Purdey motor cases andit takes one gun together with all the turnscrews and oil pots etc. Luckily 2 1/2 inch cartridges are pretty common in the UK and you don't get hammered (too much) on price. Find me a cheaper than dirt dagga boy and I'll let you play with it!


------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
18 July 2010, 14:51
Monastery-Forester
The houses in the background are not looking as houses in Dubai - they are looking like houses in Centraleurope and specially like Sauerkrauthouses, is that right? Wink
18 July 2010, 15:28
Claret_Dabbler
Richard, who is building these Lancasters? Ron Wharton? No matter who, it is a fantastic piece of work.

I think my ideal shotgun is a Woodward with 29" barrels and POW stock. I need to start staching away some money towards this end.


Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you....
18 July 2010, 17:40
shakari
quote:
Originally posted by Deerdogs:

Steve
It is a Purdey motor cases andit takes one gun together with all the turnscrews and oil pots etc. Luckily 2 1/2 inch cartridges are pretty common in the UK and you don't get hammered (too much) on price. Find me a cheaper than dirt dagga boy and I'll let you play with it!


Richard,

If you'd like to email me at shakari3@mweb.co.za I'll send you something that might be right up your street. Smiler






18 July 2010, 18:19
Deerdogs
quote:
Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:
The houses in the background are not looking as houses in Dubai - they are looking like houses in Centraleurope and specially like Sauerkrauthouses, is that right? Wink


MF, the only thing European in those pictures is the scope. The house is in Somerset, in southwest England, home of high pheasants and cider.


------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
18 July 2010, 19:21
Ghubert
Very nice Richard.

If I may, why Lancaster?

Not that the work isn't absolutely top-notch, rather what made you choose them over a Proctor, Wey or one of other houses?
18 July 2010, 20:02
Grizzly Adams
quote:
Originally posted by Peter:
Stunning rifle (even though it is is lefty). Now use some of that leftover oil on the door!!!!
Peter.


The man's guns obviously have a higher priority, than his house. Big Grin

Grizz


Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal. John E Pfeiffer, The Emergence of Man

Those who can't skin, can hold a leg. Abraham Lincoln

Only one war at a time. Abe Again.
20 July 2010, 13:29
Deerdogs
quote:
Originally posted by Ghubert:
Very nice Richard.

If I may, why Lancaster?

Not that the work isn't absolutely top-notch, rather what made you choose them over a Proctor, Wey or one of other houses?


Hi Ghubert, Why Lancaster? Well It started off as a Wharton, simply because I rate the man's work so highly, he has done a lot of smithing for me over the years and the quality of his work is right up there. Halfway through my project he acquired the Charles Lancaster name and I was given the option of having the rifle made as a Lancaster.

Not sure if you know much about CL but suffice to say they have a very long history of making best quality firearms, with several Royal appointments, numerous guns supplied to Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, Gordon Cummings and a host of African legends.I stand to be corrected but I think CL senior invented serveral artillery mechanisms and the famous oval bore used in the Colindian. In their heyday they stood shoulder to shoulder with H&H, Westley Richards and Rigby.

I was in H&H, Purdey and Wm Evans' London shops last week. The quality on their product is simply no better than what I have seen in the CL/Wharton workshop. I'm very happy to have a CL rifle with the heritage that the name implies.


------------------------------

Richard
VENARI LAVARE LUDERE RIDERE OCCEST VIVERE
20 July 2010, 15:46
Monastery-Forester
quote:
Originally posted by Deerdogs:
quote:
Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:
The houses in the background are not looking as houses in Dubai - they are looking like houses in Centraleurope and specially like Sauerkrauthouses, is that right? Wink


MF, the only thing European in those pictures is the scope. The house is in Somerset, in southwest England, home of high pheasants and cider.



And the action? I think, my friend Reimer is still living in Neumünster!