On my last safari I 'inherited' what looks to be well used single shot in what looks to be 4 bore.





The bore is smooth and there is much evidence of the original rust browning. The barrel is full floating and set in a good piece of mubanga

The side cocking piece flummoxed me and have not come across this before and if any out there now further information on this interesting rifle then please let me know.

Would it be worth converting to a .700NE? If so how would this affect its value?

Exotic as hell wall hanger ...

Unless you are 7' tall, it's not big enough to be a 4 bore.

Probably 12 ga or so.

Could it be converted to .700?

Probably, but not on a PH's wages...

Just another reminder of life in the bush for you!

quote:

Would it be worth converting to a .700NE? If so how would this affect its value?

Andrew, you could probably convert that $10 piece into a nice $50 700 NE :-)

myself in the Holland and Holland downstairs vault with a nice H&H 4 bore double you might be able to trade that rare piece for......

Properly custom.

Andrew
That is awesome.
Good friend of mine was on Zawa anti poaching raid.

He was going through the poachers equipment when out from under the bed comes an orignal Broostick Mauser with no less than the soldiers last thoughts written in german inside the butt stock.

When van Voorbecks army retreated into Zambia after WW2 these guns were left scattered all over. No doubt traded for food etc when the ammo ran out.
I always dream of the day I could find something special like that hiding away in a mud hut somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:

quote:

Would it be worth converting to a .700NE? If so how would this affect its value?

Andrew, you could probably convert that $10 piece into a nice $50 700 NE :-)

Then again why ruin a perfectly good Farquharson falling block single shot rifle?

And I do not want you Blaser boys copying my side cocking mechanism.

No trigger guard.... wouldn't that be unsafe, especially for 'African Carry'?

Outstanding, Andrew!

It would appear from the photos that you've acquired a rare example of an original "Schmerzen Werfer"...especially unique in the full sidelock "zip gun" configuration.

I'd not recommend any conversions or modifications to the piece as discerning collectors will only show interest in examples (such as this) in their original condition.

Well done, my friend!

Mark

Put that baby on consignment with George at Champlins. I bet you are looking at a mid to high 5 figures for that fine firearm. Love the engraving.

I have owned a H&H 4 bore 'Punt gun' with the barrel cut to 20" and new stock made for a man shooting standing. Looking at the workmanship on the stock and the genuine Ivory bead front sight etc I belive it was propably done by one of the top English gunmakers if not H&H themselves. Bill Mcbride in the USA had it when I last saw it. Many others were converted from 1870-1898 as elephant guns.

I own a nice Hollis and Son damascus 6 Bore that a poacher was dumb enough to try and "collect" me with, and if you read greeners book up untill the 1902 edition he was still recomending smoothbore 6 or 4 bore for elephant hunting, so conclude it was fairly common. Somebody is making ammo again as I got to monkey finger a nice modern on with draw brass cases art IWA two years back.