I have an opportunity to purchase an R. B. Rhodda 450/400-3", oak & leather cased with trade label, ammo, dies and brass. The gun does have very slight Cordite burns, but the rifling is sharp. Exterior finish is fabulous with some engraving and a cheek piece for a right handed shooter. Just a great gun.

I shall not disclose the name of the seller or the asking price, until I've decided if I shall purchase it. The seller is liquidating some of his collection, at unbelievable prices. I guess for quick sale.

I need some help in this decision, even though it is a great buy.

FIRST; What is the history behind Rhodda guns? Are they good guns?

SECOND; The gun has a cheek piece for a right handed shooter, I'm a left handed shooter. Should I shoot the gun as is or have the cheek piece removed and change the cast of the stock?

THIRD; Would I be better off having a new stock fitted? I truly do not wish to do this, as I like the appearance of the gun as is, but being left handed it just does not feel correct. Besides, I'm sure the cost of a new stock for a double is rather high...

FOURTH; What is the approx. value of this gun, as stated above with everything included?

I may be able to purchase this gun for less than a new Merkel, so you see my dilemma. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

[This message has been edited by Bearhunter (edited 11-17-2001).]

Bearhunter,

I'm not a double rifle man. You might try emailing MacD if he does not respond to your post directly. You can email him by clicking the little email icon above any of his posts. You can find his posts by using the search engine in the top right corner of this page.

Rodda is an old and honorable name in double rifles. I suspect condition is everything.

I would never consider modifying that stock. I would take it off and have a left hand one custom fitted for myself. In this country that usually means a shotgun man, but that is not a bad thing for a double.

It will likely take an exceptional piece of wood and great craftsmanship to stand up to that rifle. Don't try to cheap it out.

Don

The Rhodda was the bottom of the line gun in its day, but it is a good using double rifle. They sell in the $5000 to $6500 tops catagory...The barrels as you describe are probably OK, A person should shoot a double before purchasing it if possible...It should shoot 2" max at 50 or look elsewhere IMHO.

I suspect the stock should be replaced as cast off is hard to change and very expensive and cutting off the cheek piece and shooting it with cast in is not smart..but first you need to see if it even has cast, it may very well not be casted.

there is one for sale in the latest Gunlist for $4900. probably a very good deal...You should determine if it is a 3-1/4 or 3" gun and a 55 0r 60 cordite gun...I like the 3" 60 cordite guns if I have a choice, but both are just fine..Be sure its on the face as that can be very expensive fix...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

DO NOT,REPEAT,DO NOT MODIFIEY THE STOCK IN ANY WAY!!!This will completely change the regulation of the barrels,belive it or not.If you absolutly need it to be a left handed stock,have it restocked BUT have the new stock weight the same as the origanal.This is very critical in a double gun.Elmer Keith wrote a very interesting article on this long ago.I will post it here if you'ld like.

Rhodda's go out of the GunList in good condition for anywhere between $6,000 and $9,000,depending on whose selling them.

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"Only accurate rifles are interesting"

Ray

Would you please post the URL of the gunlist. Can't seem to find it.

The Rodda is a good Burmingham working gun. They generally shoot well, but are typically plain in the finish department. The one I owned, and others I've seen used the same Webly action as all the other English boxlock doubles. Based on your description, I would say that a price in the $6,000 to $7,500 range sounds right. If you buy it, and want it restocked, talk to David Yale in Yellowjacket, Colorado. David knows how to work on doubles, and knows and loves the .450 X .400.

If I remember correctly Rhodda was a colonial maker. Furthermore as I recall Rhodda was an Indian maker! Rhodda rifles are teh bargain basement double. The I have had experience with have been serviceable. To put this another way the Rhodda double rifle would be to the world of doubel rifles what a Stevens double barrel shotguns is to the world of double barrel shotguns.

Personally, I wouldn't spend much on a Rhodda. If the asking price is close to the Merkel, by all means, buy the Merkel and do not look back!

Todd E

The Rodda (often also seen listed as Rhodda) was certainly not of the same level of embellishment as a best grade H&H as a rule, but I have seen many other doubles of lesser workmanship. As with many of the "name" makers, I suspect that a good number of their doubles were actually contract guns made by lesser known makers in the Birmingham area and sold under their name. This was a common practice at the time, and makes for a confusing situation in finding out who actually "made" the gun as opposed to who stocked, regulated, or only stamped their name on a double. It also makes for varying quality depending on the actual maker.

Rodda did have offices in England and India, but the doubles that I have actually seen were all Birmingham made guns. There are reports that some were made in India, but I cannot personally confirm nor deny this. It is true that many were plain working guns, but they also made lavish guns, including gold plated and highly engraved presentation guns for Indian Maharajahs (spelling?).

I have a 450/400 3" that although plain will put 4 shots (R-L, R-L) into less than 2 1/2 " at one hundred yards if I do my part, and the bores are somewhat rough from years of cordite use. This just goes to show that you never know until you shoot a double. As an aside, most Rodda 450/400's tend to be a bit heavy. My own double is over 11 pounds (I believe this is mostly due to the barrel contour being the same as the 450 NE, therefore being thicker than necessary for the 400 bore). I hope this helps a bit with your decision.

Good shooting,
Jim

Restocking a double seldom changes the regulation, if it is properly inletted enough to not rezero by merely changing the load..I have restocked a bunch of them without anything changing, not saying it won't but it never has for me...

I don't know the url for gunlist but call Jerry at 307-864-2713 about the Rhodda, the price is $4995.00 woops! this ones a hammer gun, I don't like hammer guns, but it is a 60 cordite gun he states...

If I wanted a 450-400 in the $6500. range I would call Bob Francis at Westly Richards and ask him if he had and nice one that shot well. He usually does and he is a square shooter..Tell him I said to give you a good deal...417-869-8447.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray

Thanks for the information. I have looked at the W.R. webpage and they have several 450/400s listed in this price range.

If you can live without a 450-400 I would certainly consider a Merkel in 470 only or a Searcy rifle in one of his calibers as Todd stated above..

A new gun for the cost of an old used gun makes good since. I don't think any of the new guns are made in 450-400 but Searcy might entertain the idea if you asked him too. Merkle will not.

Another nice new double caliber seems to be the 416/500 that Krieghoff has come out with, but you couldn't give me a Krieghoff rifle...and Searcy might make that one. dunno

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Thanks to all for your response. You have given me some very valuable info for thought.

I now may be leaning more to the Merkel. I've personally seen how a couple shoot and been impressed.

Since you are a lefty, as I am, you may give
Butch Searcy a look. He will build your rifle to fit you.

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RC