Prewar double rifle

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Prewar double rifle

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05 February 2014, 03:29

Pondoro

Prewar double rifle

My double rifle, built by John Wilkes "to the trade" for Midland Gun Co. in .475 3 1/4 NE.

05 February 2014, 03:35

Pondoro

I also have an extra barrel set in .280 Flanged NE....the real oddball...

Both barrel sets are equally numbered so probably delivered as one set.

Dave

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05 February 2014, 04:08

Pondoro

I dont have pics of the barrel flats, but its regulated for 75 grains cordite and 480 grain bullet..

Two more pics..

05 February 2014, 04:12

Pondoro

It regulates well with modern Kynoch and 94 grains of Norma N4 and Woodleigh 480 grain softs at 50 meters..

Paul Smith
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I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery
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05 February 2014, 04:55

Bren7X64

Maybe if I tell myself enough times "I'm not jealous", I'll believe it .... eventually.

Great find.

--
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05 February 2014, 05:51

Black Fly

My, Oh My!!!
That is just lovely... and a second set of barrels. Sometimes it's really OK to be jealous.
Bfly

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05 February 2014, 06:10

D R Hunter

Love the Wilkes legacy! 475 NE's a super caliber that
I wish held the position that the 450's do. Classic and
great looking stopper!!!

D/R Hunter

Correct bullet placement, combined with the required depth of bullet penetration, results in an anchored animal...

05 February 2014, 06:30

Rockdoc

What a beauty... and those cartridges are the ducks nuts!

Really looks the business.

What year was it made?

Thanks, Chris

05 February 2014, 07:28

Pondoro

My guess is that its made 1908-1930..

John Wilkes had a workshop in Birmingham until 1930. I got that info from Craig Whitsey who worked for the late Wilkes brothers for 30 years..

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05 February 2014, 12:07

Rhodes

quote:
Originally posted by Nakihunter:
Awesome rifle! Would that have shoe lump barrels?

looks like the barrels are sitting in a shoelump

05 February 2014, 12:09

The Norwegian

Too bad that VC and the others do not produce rifles in this caliber ..

It is going to be nice doing some test shooting With this piece and compare to my 450 VC in about 12 months

The more I know, the less I wonder !

05 February 2014, 22:37

jens poulsen

Congratulations.

It most be the biggest caliber the Norwegian authorities allow their citizens to own

.

What a beauty. Skal den ud og skyde elg?.

DRSS: HQ Scandinavia. Chapters in Sweden & Norway

05 February 2014, 22:57

The Norwegian

quote:
Originally posted by jens poulsen:
Congratulations.

It most be the biggest caliber the Norwegian authorities allow their citizens to own .

What a beauty. Skal den ud og skyde elg?.

Du får spørre Pondoro hva han ønsker å jakte med sin 475

( you have to ask Pondoro what he wants to hunt With his 475 )

You are correct sir about the caliber. I applied for Caliber 500NE when ordering my new VC, but did not get the approval for license. That made me decide for the classic 450NE since making a rifle in a specialized Caliber would cost to much ! 450NE ammo is also more available.

The more I know, the less I wonder !

06 February 2014, 02:48

Bill Cooley

Great rifle in two great calibers. The .280 flanged should be great for plains game or for North America. What the .280 won’t handle the .475 will.
Bill

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06 February 2014, 05:49

Dutch44

As Cal said, Wilkes is as good as it comes. My Wilkes in .475 No. 2 was my favorite caliber and favorite double. I'm now looking at a Watson Bro.'s in the same caliber.

06 February 2014, 07:32

Rhodes

Pondoro

Do you have any pictures with the 280 FL barrels attached that you can show us. It'd be interesting to know how that one balances with the lighter barrels if the gun was made correct for the heavy caliber.

.

06 February 2014, 08:34

Pondoro

Sorry, I do not have pics of them now....and I am presently on an oil rig, but the .280 barrels are as large and at least as heavy as the .475´s...the rifle is really to heavy to be practical with the .280´s..

06 February 2014, 09:55

cal pappas

Fellas:
I think over the decades the big names like Holland, Purdey, WR, etc., have gotten far too big a piece of the pie as to vintage arms (prior to WWII).
Wilkes, Watson, Lang, Lancaster and many others made some of the finest pieces of work one can imagine.
I've owned Wilkes in .600 and .475 no2 and my .500 is Watson. My .450 no2 is a Lang and all are the best grade rifles made. Not to take anything from the big 'uns, but the others should be elevated to their level.
Cal