I went to a gun show today, and saw an Army Navy 500 BPE hammerless rifle. It looks for all the world like a hammerless top lever nitro express rifle, without the nitro proof marks. The guy wants $6000 for it. Condition was very nice, the barrels have surly been re-blacked, bores look nice, and the wood is pretty clean.
I've heard of these things being re-proofed for nitro, if that's doable, it could be a pretty nice rifle for the money. Has anyone done this? Is this a fool's errand, or a reasonable thing to do? Where would this be done, what might it cost?
In other words, I liked the rifle, and am looking for an excuse to consider buying it. How does $6000 sound for a rifle like this?

I would pay $6000 for a 500BPE no problem,but I would not try to re-proof it for a nitro,you would be risking your health and your money,BTW the 500BPE is a pretty potent cartridge.

It can be shot wit NfB loads of smokless too. Mine works fine with it.
Just don't expect to be a full nitro for a cheap price.

This would be a fine gun for hunting anything other than big dangerous game. Elephant, buffalo and Rhino. Actually with the right bullet it would kill these with no problem. Nitro For Black loads with 350 to 450 grain bullets have plenty of power for any North American game. Fun guns to shoot and light weight compared to full nitro guns.
Don't have it reproofed or shoot heavy loads in it. Its sad to see a beautiful old gun ruined by someone wanting more power.

If you like it and it fits you - Buy it! The 500BPE will take care of anything in almost any situation - It's a thumper for sure.

Good advice above, don't try to get it re-proofed; just buy it and enjoy...

If you pass send me a pm where it's available

Seriously, if in good condition then grab it. DO NOT try and make it a nitro gun. Enjoy it for what it is, a classic rifle in a great caliber suitable for anything less than the big 5.

Couple things though...make sure it's not a nitro gun. The nitro proof mark didn't come out until 1904. What do the proof marks say? It may be a pre 1904 gun prooved for nitro and if so it would say "80 grs cordite 520 gr bullet maxm".

Marks other than that would indicate a bpe or nitro for black rifle.

Some one fill me in on Army Navy doubles. Where were they made?

Army Navy was the retailer. The ones I've seen were trade made w/o any one maker. Made in England.

FYI there is a 450 #2 Army Navy available here locally.

A little more info on the Army Navy brand: The English military members organized Army Navy CSL Limited sometime in the 1870's (don't hold me to the exact timeframe) so the soldiers & sailors could make group purchases of liquor & guns - a buying club if you will. They'd sometimes make bulk purchases and, in the case of firearms would contract whoever would give them the best value for their buck. The organization lasted until sometime in the mid-1930's. Lots of fine Army Navy guns & rifles out there - I own two myself.

The Army & Navy records are available (or were a few years back) from the University of Glasgow. For a fee (about $40.00 or there abouts) they will research your rifle. There is a form to fill out with payment on their website.


Dutch

Here is their contact information for the Army & Navy records at the University of Glasgow:

www.archives.gla.ac.uk For 23.50 GBP they will send you the daybook/sales register entry. When I sent in my serial number they were kind enough to tell me the name of the individual who purchased the rifle, the cost and date of purchase. The 23.50 GBP gets you a photocopy of the ledger entry for that day. Nice service. Their phone number is +44 (0) 141-370-5515.


Dutch

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Some one fill me in on Army Navy doubles. Where were they made?

I've seen Army Navy guns made by Webley, Westley, Osborne and probably a few others. You'll need to look at each gun on its own merits. Many of them are fine guns and rifles.

The old BP guns are off the charts fun to shoot.

Dutch44

What other makers records are there too?