Now there's something cool! That's the good stuff. Looks like it might be a bit slower to reload than a traditional break-open double, but that may not be a concern. I'm assuming that it has a real ejector rather than just extractors - there might be another point for those who want a really quiet double to work in close. I wonder how hard this would be to make and regulate? With modern materials, it should be stronger than the break open double as well. It should be child's play for Ruger to get this one rolling - if they can be made to listen..... maxman
Posts: 337 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 23 December 2002
Quote: Just when you thought you had seen it all, along comes a double barrelled falling block. I think it is a 450NE No2? Perhaps Ruger could be interested?
Looking at the open breech, I'm woudering how the barrels are afixed in the reciever? The are so close together that there is a flat mateing between the barrels, negateing being threaded in. They must be soldered in! If so, I would think the reciever ring would be longer front to back! There also seems to be a barrel selector on top of the tang, where a safety would be today! That would be consistant with the single trigger!
A very interesting double rifle, for sure! Is there a name on this rifle, and are you thinking of selling it?
Posts: 14634 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: 08 June 2000
More info, vile tempter!! Where? When? Who's? etc.
Hagen did build some falling block doubles as seen in an older Double Gun Journal (I think the were Hagen). Very cool. The writer was a bit cheesy in his comparison with conventional double rifles, refering to them as "barn door" doubles, trying to make a comparison that double rifle "hinges" were terribly weak. While the hinge is not an asset perse and cost a ton, they aren't weak. However, the inclusion of the hinge creates the need to manufacture and fit all of the other locking devices and cross bolts, the Kirsten being the most extreme example.
The falling block action would seem to be a bit longer, depending on the length of the block is in comparision to the standing face on a regular double.
In my opinion the benefit would be in the simplicity of design and less costly manufacturing by avoiding manufacturing the hinge and subsequent fitting thereof. When Shilo takes their actions out of the molds they push a broach through the cavity and, quick as a wink, its ready for the block. I suppose Ruger does a similar process with the #1.
BAW, that is a nice acquisition. Now, if the old man were still alive then he'd pay you a fee for the express purpose of taking it apart and doing some reverse engineering. His heir and the rest that are running Ruger right now wouldn't even be interested.
No, I don't own it but it is for sale Now that ya'll drooling and spluttering like yer got some contagious affliction, I'll put ya out of yer misery http://www.micksguns.com/antique%20guns.htm
Posts: 1785 | Location: Kingaroy, Australia | Registered: 29 April 2002
wow - only 2000 pounds. I would have figured more for such a rifle. This guy appears to have several interesting old doubles at pretty realistic prices. Excluding import hassles to the US, of course. Not that I have ever tried it, but any time you have to personally deal with the gov't it usually isn't fun.
On another note, I see that there are a few kinds of 450/577 Martini Henry rifles being imported now - found in storage in Nepal, IIRC. Does anyone happen to have first-hand knowledge of these rifles? If you get a sound example would it be safe to shoot using BP loads? I know really nothing about the rifles or cartridges, but they look very interesting.
Posts: 337 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 23 December 2002
I have seen a couple of such contraptionsd of recent manufacture, but none of them seemed as simple, light and handy as yours! The design appears superb!
It would be a crime to convert this rifle to anything else. It is, perhaps, completely unique and a brilliantly done piece of work. Yes, some parts seem unnecessarily ugly, but if you must hack something hack a bolt rifle, not something that may very well be one of a kind.
That lever system may not be so simple anyway. It has a latch on the back and how and what that activates is anyone's guess.
Whoever made it shows a good deal if ingenuity. Yet, seeing it shoot would be it's ultimate test.
Brent
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
There also seems to be a barrel selector on top of the tang, where a safety would be today! That would be consistant with the single trigger!
