ERSKINE HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE 12-BORE, SHORT CASE, EXC+++
Guns International #: 100460695 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Double Rifles - Bore or Gauge - Double Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: Ruxton
Member Since: 7/10/08
State: Idaho
Country: United States
Phone: 208-865-2544
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted:
Description:
This is a full sidelock hammer double rifle made by James Erskine, a Scotsman, around 1865-1870. It is in excellent condition throughout. This rifle is pictured in the 8th Edition of Cartridges of the World, page 340, with brass cases. However, it was chambered with paper cases in mind, a blessing actually. It is perfectly regulated with a load I've developed that is easy to produce. It uses a 1-7/8" paper case, about 2 drams of FFFg Goex, appropriate wads, an easy-to-get 0.735" round cast-lead ball, and a roll crimper. This load will put all shots from both barrels into 5 inches or less at 100 yards. My best recent group was 3 out of 4 into 1.5 inches at 100 with two touching.
This Erskine is featured in the August 2014 issue of Gun Tests magazine. It weighs 10.4 pounds. The pure-lead bullet in the short paper case weighs 600 grains, is 0.735-inch diameter, and it comes out at 950 fps. I've tried hardened bullets at 540 grains, but prefer the pure lead because I can buy them instead of casting 'em. Several loaded rounds will accompany the rifle in a separate shipment, along with loading data.
The rifle is fully scroll engraved, really beautiful work. The non-rebounding locks are by J. Grainger and are in excellent condition. The strikers are spring-loaded. The wood is fabulous. The wood has been refinished because it was covered in brown paint.. . dunno why. The wood ends in a steel butt plate at 14.5-inch length of pull. The heel engraving is blemished from age. The forend is fully checkered and held to the barrels by a sliding cross pin. The tip of the right hammer was repaired long ago, a splendid job that you would not notice if I hadn't told you. .
Barrels are 28-inch blued steel and they may have been refinished, if so by an expert. They retain essentially 100 percent bluing, minus a small handling nick here and there. The barrels have nine-groove Henry rifling in excellent shiny condition, with no pitting. The maker's address, "61 Victoria St., Newton-Stewart, NB" is on the barrel rib. James Erskine's name is on the bar of each lock plate. The bottom tang extends to become the pistol grip. Lockup is by Jones lever, and it's tight. There is a wide-angle vee standard and three folding leaves marked 200, 250, and 300, each with a platinum center line. Traces of case coloring remain on the action and lock plates.
Erskine was famous for inventing a shotshell loader that could do 1000 rounds an hour. It became mighty popular. He also made prize-winning firearms such as this one.
This is a graceful and powerful double rifle with enough weigh that it won't kick you into next week.
Thank you for your interest. OFFERS CONSIDERED, but NO TRADES!
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Antique: Yes