R. B. Rodda & Co., Birmingham and Calcutta. Magnificent Sidelock/Ejector, “Modele de Luxe”, Double Rifle in .600 N.E.
Guns International #: 101317400 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Double Rifles - English - Rifles - African Dangerous Game Safari Double

Seller's Information
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Verified Seller
Seller: Lewis Drake & Associates
Company: Lewis Drake & Associates
Member Since: 7/9/08
First Name: Lewis
Last Name: Drake
State: Kentucky
Zip: 42071
Country: United States
Phone: (270) 210-4304
Phone2: (270) 753-7200
Fax: (270) 753-2100
Platinum Seller
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
No Returns on Ammo, Gun Cases, and Vintage or Antique Accessories
Payment Types Accepted: AMEX, VISA, MC



Description:
R. B. Rodda & Co., Birmingham and Calcutta.  Magnificent Sidelock/Ejector, “Modele de Luxe”, Double Rifle in .600 N.E., #10048,  made for, Raja Raghuraj Bahadur Sinha, of  Haraha Estate. The Raja's original Indian Import Permit was active from 1910 until 1920 so the rifle was almost certainly made during that decade. There are no known existing records for the Rodda Firm which is regrettable, however, that trade label in the case lid was in use by Rodda from approximately 1910 through 1931. My personal thoughts are that the gun was completed between 1910 and 1920. There is a fascinating story, soon to be revealed, as to why this spectacular gun remained unfired and the complete documentation as to the only four owners the gun has had in over a century. At any rate, the rifle remains in absolutely pristine, original, overall condition, showing no evidence of having been fired since it left the maker a century ago. I said original, that is with the assurance that the original case was relined and the ivory-handled accessories replaced at a later date by the second owner, otherwise all original.

The Rifle weighs in at 14 ½ lbs with empty chambers. Stock Dimensions: 14 3/4" LOP.  Superb 26" chopper-lump, Whitworth Steel,  barrels with 110 gr. Cordite and 900 gr. bullet proofs.  Note the individual rear flip-up sights graduated in 100 yd. increments out to 500 yds. terminating in a single flip-up sight adjustable from 600 to 1000 yds. (no further comments needed on that!). Massive, top-lever opening, sidelock action with double under-lugs and spade dolls-head with hidden bolted third fastener. The top tang of the action extends rearward over the rise and well back on the comb of the stock. Ejectors, bushed firing pins, double triggers, and bolted automatic safety.  Beautiful, full-coverage, bold, deep-relief, Indian jungle foliage and game-scene engraving which extends out the barrel breaches. The tiny, multi-colored-enamel-inlaid, 24 kt gold shields, fastened to each lockplate with 3 tiny blued steel screws, are beautiful little works of art in themselves! Please, go to the close-up photo which shows a quarter laying next to one of the gold shields for size comparison and note that the coin would completely cover the entire shield which will give you a visual clue to the exquisitely delicate intricacy of the inlays and the vibrant colors of the enamel, all of which simply must be viewed under significant magnification to fully appreciate the work. By the way, the enamel inscribed in Sanskrit says “Satyashramabhyan Saklaarthsiddhihi “which translates to, “ By practicing truthfulness and hard work , all ends are achieved. “
I could go on, however, the rest of the photographs pretty much speak for themselves.

Including all of the English gun-maker's there are less than 70, pre-WWII, British .600 NE double rifles known to exist. This extraordinary rifle is, without question, the finest pre-war example known and is one of the rarest, most highly sought after, collectible firearms in the world.

Price: P.O.R.

Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: R.B. Rodda
Model: Modele' de Luxe
Serial Number: 10048
Caliber Info: .600 NE
Bore: Mint
Chambers: Mint
Ejectors: Yes
Condition: Mint
Metal Condition: Mint
Wood Condition: Mint
Bore Condition: Mint
Barrels: 26
Barrel Type: Chopper-lump Whitworth Steel
Action: Sidelock Spade Dolls Head With Bolted 3rd Fastener
Triggers: Double
Stock: Figured Walnut
Fore End: Splinter
Butt Pad: Silvers Original
LOP: 14 3/4
Sights: See Description
Manufacture Date: ca. 1920's
Proof:Nitro: 110 gr. Cordite and 900 gr. Bullet