Fellas:
Damn! I’m supposed to be selling my doubles and not buying them. However, I am weak and fell to temptation.

This 4-bore Rodda is now in my gun safe and I know a bit of this amazing rifle. Made in 1885 as a matched and consecutive numbered pair, they were separated 30-40 years ago. Its twin was in Alaska a dozen years ago for sale but I could not afford it then and had to “settle” for a Hughes 4. The Hughes has sold and I thought I was done with 4-bores. The twin to my rifle was sold to an MD in Texas and he kept it for a short while; whereafter it was auctioned and went to Europe where it still resides.

My rifle came up for sale from a private collection that was being sold by William Larkin Moore and I immediately recognized it as the twin of the rifle that got away a dozen years ago. I called to confirm condition and bought it at less than half of the price its twin sold for a decade ago. WLM UPS’d it to me over night and here it is. The specs:

Maker:  RB Rodda
Style: Back action exposed non-rebounding hammers, Jones patented under lever
Gauge: 4 bore rifle
Cartridge: 3 3/4”, 14-16 drams of black powder, 1400 grain spherical ball projectile
Serial number:  33xxx
Country of origin : England
Barrel: 24 inches, Damascus pattern
Bore: Fully rifled (11 groove), bright and shiny
Triggers: double
Stock: Capped pistol grip with cheekpiece
Forearm type : splinter with lever release
Rib type:  Flat rib, file cut
Sights: Express with 1 standing 2 folding leaves, marked 50-100-150 yards
Receiver finish:  casehardened
Engraving: 80% fine English scroll with gold inlay of maker's name and warrant
Other features;  Doll's head 3rd fastener, Sling eyes, Silver’s pad, stalking safeties
Condition: Excellent; all original with no refinishing
Weight: 22 pounds and 7ounces
Stock length: 14 1/2" pull
Manufacture year: 1885
In gold lettering on both lock plates: RB Rodda & Co.
In gold lettering on left barrel: RB Rodda & Co, Makers by Appointment to HE the Viceroy,
In gold lettering on right barrel: and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, London & Calcutta

It’s really an amazing rifle: excellent condition, pristine bores, very thick barrel, and a 4-bore. You can see its twin in my book, The British Bore Rifle. Due to the recoil I’m thinking of having the barrels ported. And, due to the rain in Alaska perhaps adding a Parkerized finish. Then, maybe trading it to Biebs for a Blazer (if I don’t have to throw in too much cash).

Thanks for looking and enjoy.
Cal

PS. Forgive me for photographing on my bullet casting table!

I read and stare in awe. OUTSTANDING!

A Rodda four bore was featured in the Book Unintended Consequences By John Ross.

It is a great read if you haven't read it.

Cal, I know you need to save money to feed that thing so I am willing to Rustoleum it for free as a friend.
Only thing I would ask is next time I get a wounded bear in the pucker brush, you bring it out to help wrinkle him out.

Rodda's are just cool.

Awesome - hard to imagine carrying that around Africa and then having to pull the trigger in haste as something large with bad intentions closes. Wonder how quickly one can recover to pull the second trigger? Interesting that it was a pair as well.

Please take video if/when you decide to fire it!

Also as a helpful hint, and only after parkerization, you might want to light off a few proof plus loads in it to make sure the barrels can handle it... A Trijicon RMR would also be a nice touch

quote:

Originally posted by A7Dave:
Rodda's are just cool.

Yes they are. The week before I bought a Rodda in .577 Snider. Great rifle and cased with tools, but I probably should move it on to help pay for this one.
Cal

CNGRATULATIONS, Cal....that is a BRUISER...on both ends!!
Can we shoot it at the Double Rifle event next year??
Cheers,

quote:

Originally posted by 470EDDY:
CNGRATULATIONS, Cal....that is a BRUISER...on both ends!!
Can we shoot it at the Double Rifle event next year??
Cheers,

Of course. It goes without saying.
Cal

Cal I held that rifle when I was at WLM and made a post about the extensive collection. Congrats! That one was pretty impressive

Absolutely magnificent.
Part of a matched set- I would like to know that story. When I read the old stories of high volume shooting to kill an elephant I picture a well heeled sportsman with two bearers/loaders and much sound and fury.

Cal,

Load er up! Joyce is ready.

Cheers
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by swoobie:
A Trijicon RMR would also be a nice touch

With all due respect, Cal just puked.

What a beauty!

Wow! Looks tuff and should be at 22 lbs. Please don’t port the barrels. Call it the “Selous experience” when folks ask to fire it.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by swoobie:
A Trijicon RMR would also be a nice touch

With all due respect, Cal just puked.

That was the point -

I just ordered my tickets for the shoot today. I want to see Joyce shoot that monster....before I do!#!!
I find your comment about pricing now vs a decade ago very interesting. I agree that double pricin is finally recovering to human levels again.My Jeffrey another example!!
I sure like your MANTON'S!! However, I too, am downsizing.... my rule, if I buy one, I must sell two.
I pray for your shoulder this summer, Cal!!
CHEERS,

Looks like a giant club.

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Looks like a giant club.

..a big, beautiful, wonderful club...

Cal,

What a great pick. I figure it was made for the India, just because so many Rodda’s were. Great maker of doubles. Congrats. Where does all the members money come from a teachers retirement? You obviously have figured out something I haven’t. Good hunting with that 22 lb jewel.

quote:

Originally posted by mdstewart:
Cal,

What a great pick. I figure it was made for the India, just because so many Rodda’s were. Great maker of doubles. Congrats. Where does all the members money come from a teachers retirement? You obviously have figured out something I haven’t. Good hunting with that 22 lb jewel.

A few things allow this retarded (I mean retired) teacher: my mom taught me as a teenager what when money came in to 1) give my contribution to my church, 2) pay my bills, 3) always put some in saving, 4) the rest was mine.

Saving and invensting since I was a kid was very beneficial. Also are seven thing I don't have:
1. no wife
2. no kids
3. never any credit card bills
4. never any student loans
5. never had any car payments
6. never had any house payments
7. nveer took out any loans

I live a very simple life, never extended myself financially, retired at 49 from 26 years of teaching, and, now at almost 64, live life in the slow lane.

Life is good!!
Cal

Cal that is a great score!
I fondly remember shooting the Bland 4bore single back when Ray Meyer had it, this Rodda will be double the fun for you.
- Mike
Redstone, Colorado

quote:

Originally posted by Redstone:
Cal that is a great score!
I fondly remember shooting the Bland 4bore single back when Ray Meyer had it, this Rodda will be double the fun for you.
- Mike
Redstone, Colorado

The Bland you speak of lives in Alaska and is at the double shoots in May.
Cal

That looks like a lot of fun. Suspect that whilst heavy it probably has wonderful balance and feels a lot lighter when in use. And of course it is from the days when men were a lot fitter than modern man, and you had a gunbearer to carry it for you.

Congrats Cal. You're moving up in caliber with age and weight of caliber as I move down in caliber but up (65) in age. Aaron just finished mt 450-400 Rigby (a few posts below) and is building me a 450 BPE. That's about the top for me!

Would love to come to your shoot and try one of those 4 bores. My shoulder surgery should heal by then! Love to see pics of you shooting your Rodda.

Did Rodda make the rifle or are they branded seller?

Thank you for the pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Did Rodda make the rifle or are they branded seller?

Thank you for the pictures.

Rodda did some amazing work on the rifles they sold and they did have an extensive gunsmithing facility. My guess is they received some rifles and guns in the white and finished them to their specs. They also sold other makes they bought at wholesale and resold at retail. It is possible they had other makers sell them finished rifles with their name and number on them. All that said, I don't know if the records or ledgers are available.
Cal

Thank you Cal.

Cal: Congratulations on this extraordinary acquisition.I know that you coveted the twin of this rifle for many years, and now, how great is it that you stumbled onto this one, and at a much better price than the twin!!

Will you have to cast the chambers, order custom brass and molds, etc., or was this one already a shooter that came with all that stuff when you received it? Cheers. Chip.

Chip:
I am set with brass, mould, dies, etc. I did have a sizer made as the bore is .005 smaller than past 4s, such as the Hughes and others.
I'm on my way to the basement now or size some bullets and load some black powder rounds.
Cheers,
Cal

Well done.
You now need to edit your book to include this one.

It is almost as cool as my thumb hole Blaser!

quote:

It is almost as cool as my thumb hole Blaser!

Dave

WOW, those First Edition books by John Ross are commanding $450 on Amazon!!
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY....CAL, you have your own fireworks show built in right on your home range!!
Cheers,

That’s a neat piece, but if I were to try and hunt with it, I’d need a bloody caisson!

The period 14 Dram load insured that one would not only knock the stuffing out of the recipient of that shot, but would burn, blind and deafen anything in front of the rifle......

Gents:
Here are some 35-yard targets from the first shooting session with the Roddda 4. I will try to put them in order. The ball was shot with 2 drams or 55 grains into newspaper to see the rifling on the equator. Powder was GOEX FFg, shotgun 209 primer, seated rest.



First target was 4 and 6 drams (110 and 165 grains). Shooting apart.



Next was 8 drams (220 grains). Still apart but closer.



Moving to 10 drams (275 grains) the target is ok. Aim point was center of target so all shots are a bit high. The first leaf is 50 yards.



12 drams (330 grains) is just right. The regulated load for this 4-bore was probably 14 drams and the 14 dram (385 grains) printed the same as the 12 dram target but I misplaced it or lost it.



16 drams or a full ounce (440 grains) was too fast and shots were crossed. Also, recoil rolled me on my back with my feet in the air! I can fit up to 20 drams in the case but there is no point.

My photographer was unable to make it but I do have video of shooting my former 4-bore Hughes. If anyone can tell me how to post video I will post them here.

Cal, I don't know how I missed this, but what a spectacular four-bore, and with bright bores.
Glad you got it to regulate so easily.
Are you sticking with Goex FFg, or do you plan to play with some Old Eynsford, or some Swiss?

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Cal, I don't know how I missed this, but what a spectacular four-bore, and with bright bores.
Glad you got it to regulate so easily.
Are you sticking with Goex FFg, or do you plan to play with some Old Eynsford, or some Swiss?

Hi Bill.
I have Old Eynsford, Swiss and Elephant to play with as well as Blue Dot smokeless and maybe FFFg GOEX. I depart for a month in Africa so it will be when I return and in between fall hunts here in Alaska.
Cal

Have a great Africa trip, Cal. A bunch of us will be waiting for you to return to this thread.

Indeed + update as well.