I started this project in 2002. Seven years later I've finally thrown enough cash into the pot to get it completed. I was sent these photos by my 'smith today and I am now getting very excited.

Here are the details:

Calibre is 375H&H.

The maker is Charles Lancaster, London, England.

It has been built on a new LH Reimer Johannsen double square bridge magnum Mauser action.

Mounts are swing-off H&H style.

Scope is Swarovski 1.25-4.

I'll be trying the stock for size back in England next week, then I just need to get it blued, engraved and chequered.

WOW! Very nice rifle.

That wood will be stunning when finished.

Congratulations.

I'm sure you are anxious to have the project finished. I don't blame you for that.

I'm having a lefty 400 H&H made for me. It will be a bit more (make that a lot more) utilitarian as I'm going to have it finished in black T and it's on a Model 70 Classic action.

I plan on using it in Alaska on a bear hunt and hopefully another African DG hunt some day in the future.

That's a very unusual scope mounting system, can we get the details? What made you not go with the front base on the front ring of the action?

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
That's a very unusual scope mounting system, can we get the details? What made you not go with the front base on the front ring of the action?

The advantage of this system is that you can use the Iron sights without removing the scope….similar to the see through ring system however in this case the scope is able to sit in the normal mounting position, rather than sitting very high as it would in a see through mount.

I find the rifle very interesting and very well done. It definitely has an English flavor with a touch of the American classic look. Very nice rifle. Please be sure to post some close up photos once the rifle is complete.

R

Interesting, I didn't notice that the rear base wasn't on the bridge until now.

I can't wait to see the finished stock.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
That's a very unusual scope mounting system, can we get the details? What made you not go with the front base on the front ring of the action?

Fjold - This is what I've been told by those in the know.... The mounting system was developed by H&H way back in the day, and it allowed the scope to be quickly removed and refitted by simply lifting the little lever you can see on the side of the front mount. There is no loss of zero due to the high quality of the tolerences. This type of mount has been around a long time, mainly only on the high-end English bolt rifles due to the cost of hand-making and fitting the mounts.

I'm not sure why the front bridge is traditionally not used with the H&H Swing-off system. My guess is that the system was developed for 98 actions, and the London smiths have always been against drilling the front ring from the points of view of both asthetics and weakening this part of the action. My brief to the maker was for a classic, traditional rifle but with no frills.

Roscoe, I'm afraid the irons cannot be used with a scope. There is no line of sight under the scope. Arkansas in one of my favourite states by the way. Great ribs and pretty girls.

ChopperGuy, Despite the nice wood I assure you this rifle will get no special treatment, I am having it built to be used, and I want to see it with the scars of use. Your project sounds interesting... I'd like to hear about that .400 H&H in the field.

Next week I'll be able to get some close up picture of the mounting system and I'll post them when I get back from holiday.

Thanks guys for all the nice comments!

quote:

Originally posted by Deerdogs:


Roscoe, I'm afraid the irons cannot be used with a scope. There is no line of sight under the scope. Arkansas in one of my favourite states by the way. Great ribs and pretty girls.

To bad about the Irons....that is one of the great advantages of this system. Maybe the Bridges prevent using the Irons? Regardless it is a very nice rifle and I look forward to seeing it complete.

Yes Arkansas has a lot to offer...next time you visit please look me up and we can go do some shooting. I have a feeling we have similar tastes in rifles.

Regards,

R

Thanks for the explanation. I learn something new every day it seems.

Wow! it looks like it's going to be worth the wait. Must see finished pics when it's done.

Hey Richard,

I guess this one is finished now? Hope it's everything you were looking for.

Have you made any decisions on the matching 300 H&H yet?


Best wishes.

- stu

Hi Stu
It is very nearly there.
I've got a 264 Win Mag Dakota that of going to be the donor for the 300 H&H. The last project took eight years. I want to get this one finished in 2011!

That's a handsome rifle, Richard.

Do you have to pay VAT on that (labor & parts)?

George

George,

The usual (it may vary by country - Dunno?) rule here in Europe is that if you reside outside the country where the VAT is applied you can claim to recover the Value Added Tax when you depart the country with the Goods.

You are required to have the Goods & the Invoice with you when you claim and the Invoices have to meet a standard, computer generated or typed (not handwritten) Names, Addresses, Tax I.D. #, detailed itemized list of Goods, etc. At Border X-ing points this is an exclusion area; so you cannot return immediately with the Goods. At Airports the baggage (in this instance a Gun Case) already has to include a unaffixed Baggage Label and is checked by local IRS & Customs; the Goods & Invoice compared, the VAT claim paid in cash to the Claimee and then the Gun Case closed, the Baggage Tag affixed and put directly into the Baggage System.

At least that's how it's worked in the countries I've re-claimed the VAT in, Austria, Germany (for Guests obviously, I live here) & UK.

You can only recoup VAT on physical Bits & Pieces (rifle & parts); not services (labor), same goes for Accomodation (although in most European countries VAT is at a lower rate for accomodation) this is considered a service, (not tangable).

quote:

Originally posted by Deerdogs:
I've got a 264 Win Mag Dakota that of going to be the donor for the 300 H&H.

Good choice. At least a good second choice to a matching magnum Mauser action . Did you already see the pictures in the Custom Built Rifles forum of the LH Dakotas that Duane Wiebe is working on? LINK HERE

Hope we can see pictures of the Lancaster rifle finished soon. While I have no experience with 8 year rifle builds, my last one did run 6 years from handing the action over to the 'smith, to picking up the completed rifle.


cheers again,
- stu