17 April 2024, 09:14
470EDDYWTB J&L WILKINS DOUBLE OR BOLT RIFLES
The purveyor of the J&L WILKINS DOUBLE RIFLEs and Bolt rifles was Chris Soyza, a Malaysian, trained in British engineering schools and a master of the UK gun trade, and 8 years at Westley Richards as Chief Engineer, and Production Manager.He also had a US partner Dick Corrente.
Chris was a very good friend. We chatted about dangerous game hunts, and about fishing...and alot about British gunmaking . Sadly he died way to young from complications of prostate cancer surgery. Chris was a very active big game hunter as well, having taken his first elephant when he was 9 years old, on his parents Palm Oil Plantation!!... SUCCESSFUL African safaris and even Indian Gaur!!
This team produced 22 double rifles from 22LR to 700NE!! The 3 22s were paired with 410 shotgun barrels as a set. Both sidelocks and boxlock double rifles. They also produced quite a number of large caliber bolt rifles, also in the British Trade, using Mayfield and Mag Mauser actions. All very classic British rifles.
I would very much like to acquire a Double Rifle, as well as a Bolt rifle to celebrate these two fine guys master gunmaking journey.
Yes, there is one nice cased Boxlock in 470NE on the market, but it is priced as a recovery attempt for an auction buy gone wild!! I know where one of the 22LR/410 sets is, but only to see it, NOT FOR SALE and it will pass to the owner's son!!
Honestly, I have only seen one Bolt rifle offered at Holland and Holland a few years ago for a Kings Ransome!!... back in the 80s, Dick told me they had trouble selling them at $1800!! I remember meeting Chris and Dick at an SCI Convention and hawking a nice Sidelock at $18,000!!...this was pre-1994 when I was looking for my 470NE!!
Please PM me if you have one or know of one that might be available. I am a strong buyer...
Thanks much!!
17 April 2024, 17:40
BitterrootA customer/friend of mine had a Wilkins 700 NE and I got to shoot it. Very nice rifle. He has since passed and I don't know where the rifle ended up.
17 April 2024, 22:13
470EDDYThere was a 700NE that sold at auction a year or two ago!! That was probably it, I think they only did one!!
I recall it sold for $80,000!!
I'll bet you still remember shooting it!! A life changing experience, maybe requiring dental care post shoot!!
23 April 2024, 17:21
Tpr.1919I have one of their Mauser rifles in .404 Jeffery and it is a really nice gun. I'm not interested in selling it, but every now and then one comes up for sale.
27 April 2024, 08:46
470EDDYThat's exactly one I am looking for!!
Those are a real treasure along side a Rigby on a short Mauser action!! They did these right!!
03 September 2024, 22:09
470EDDYSTILL LOOKING!!
James Wayne dropped the price on his listing $100!! Now $41,900!! That originally sold in the $20s!!
04 September 2024, 00:15
squeezenhopeSometimes known as Jesse James Wayne.
28 November 2024, 15:58
470EDDYBUMP
STILL LOOKING!!
THESE SEEM TO BE SCARCE AS PROVERBIAL HENS TEETH!!
I THINK JESSE JAMES WAYNE'S client paid too much at auction and is trying to recover his exuberance??!!