22 July 2009, 03:51
RW TaylorWilliam Douglas Double Rifle
New Guy here, I have had a lot of interest in /double rifles for some time and three years ago began to research and two years ago bought a Wm Douglas 470 NE, since then also bought a Charles Lancaster 450/400 31/4 since sold and recently acquired a Boswell 450/400 3" I am learning to reload and am having a blast literally. My question..anyone have any info on William Douglas and Sons? I love the way this rifle looks, it shoots fine ( I'm getting better) but will it hold up? how does it compare to Heym, Chapius, and other more sensibly priced doubles? Any information would be appreciated.
They hold up fine.
Made a believe by a guy named Seagent in the UK,
the name Douglas i think was just someting english
they came up with.
I believe Cape outfitters or Champlins may have had something to do with getting them made - ie a low cost 470 Nitro.
I have one, they shoot great, handle well, feel well balanced, an all round good working gun.
Lighter than Merkel.
Very good rifles, I owned one for a number of years and sold it last year to put down some on my two FAMARS guns.
They were imported by Don L. Shrum of Cape Outfitters, In Cape Girardeau MO. I think the barreled actions were made in Holland and they were finished and stamped in England. I think they made around 100 470's and 10 500's. My 470 was regulated with Federal and just shot wonderful. It is now in the hands of a Bot's PH(getting good use I hope)
They are very fine working guns, and did increase in value. To get that same gun built today with copper lump barrels and CC action with Purdy 3rd bite. You would be looking into about 25K.
Ed
22 July 2009, 21:43
MacD37quote:
Originally posted by 505ED:
CC action
Ed
.............CC action ?????????????
The Willian Douglas rifles were good solid field rifles, and were commisioned by Don Shrum who owned Cape Outfitters till his death a few years ago. It is true that the actions, and barrelsets were made and fitted together in Holland, and proofed, regulated, and finished in the UK, and imported into the USA by Shrum.
They are field level rifles, but have the status of a perspective collector item, because of the low number made, especially chambered for 500NE.
I have never owned one of them, but almost bought one from Dan a few yrs back, but bought a 140E Merkel 9.3X74R instead, because I didn't need another 470NE, and he couldn't get me a 500NE WD rifle.
...............Enjoy your new rifle, Mr. Taylor, and welcome to DRSS!

quote:
Originally posted by MacD37:
[QUOTE]
.............CC action ?????????????
Mac,
I think he means CCH, Case Colour hardened.
quote:
Originally posted by 500N:
quote:
Originally posted by MacD37:
[QUOTE]
.............CC action ?????????????
Mac,
I think he means CCH, Case Colour hardened.
Yep, Colour case hardened/ although some were coin finished too.
Ed
23 July 2009, 04:43
MacD37quote:
Originally posted by 500N:
quote:
Originally posted by MacD37:
[QUOTE]
.............CC action ?????????????
Mac,
I think he means CCH, Case Colour hardened.
Yes I think you are correct, and it finally dawned on me later! The CC just seemed to be a brand of action I had never heard of!!!!
.................................

quote:
Originally posted by 505ED:
quote:
Originally posted by 500N:
quote:
Originally posted by MacD37:
[QUOTE]
.............CC action ?????????????
Mac,
I think he means CCH, Case Colour hardened.
Yep, Colour case hardened/ although some were coin finished too.
Ed
In which case he would have put CF

Guys,
I have one in 470 and it's a great rifle.
Any idea what a 470 in good condition is worth these days? I'm toying with the idea of selling it to buy something else.
All the best;
Brett
I have one and can not fault it , prefer to merkel, a good solid rifle.
25 July 2009, 08:14
RW Taylorsorry posted a reply re
wm douglas value on separate thread my bad anyone interested please refer to that posting.....new guy will try to do better in the future...Cheers