Guns International #: 101114082

Category - Double Rifles - American - Rifles - African Dangerous Game Safari Double

Category
Double Rifles - American
Rifles - African Dangerous Game Safari Double

Lou Alessandri 12-Bore Sidelock Double Rifle

Description:
This is a very unusual build; a 12-bore double rifle by Lou Alessandri. Lou was a noted gunbuilder in Massachusettes up until the mid 1990s. He created very high-end double and magazine guns, as well as his infamous $14,995 gun cleaning kit!

There were rumors that this rifle was created as a lighter-weight back-up to the two 600 NE double rifles built by Butch Searcy for the Jurassic Park movie. I have never been able to confirm the rifle's provenance, but someone put A LOT of money into this build.

The rifle is a sidelock design, and the barrels appear to be joined as a chopper-lump set, rather than the more common and less expensive monobloc construction. The action is case-hardened and has a matted rib with a 4-leaf express rear sight. The gun is also fitted with claw-mount bases for scope use, has an extended top tang and exhibition-grade wood.

In addition to building the rifle, Alessandri also created some machined brass cases strong enough to withstand higher powder charges. There is a set of equipment for the rifle to allow for field loading of cartridges if needed.

When I purchased the rifle, I took it to Griffin & Howe and had it completely gone through...cleaning, lubricating, machining a new firing pin and spring, tightening the lock-up, and other items, at a cost of about $1,500.  I don't know what this rifle is regulated for, so some experimentation may be required. Re-regulating the gun to your desired load is also a possibility.

This rifle was once listed for $29,995, but I wound up buying it from the estate for much less. This would make a very unusual and elegant addition to someone's double rifle collection.

REDUCED FROM $8,250

SOLD