Pre-war WJ Jeffery 404 Magazine Rifle

[vette447]

I thought you guys may enjoy this one. It is a prewar (1920s) WJ Jeffery .404 caliber magazine rifle with case and accessories. It was made on a Mauser Magnum Single Square Bridge action and is pretty well unmolested even still having the checkered steel trapdoor buttplate. The cleaning rod in the case is of the type that takes down and I supposed could be made to fit in the buttstock. These old vintage British are so slim and trim and feel so good in the hands. I just love it!

I have not had a chance to shoot it yet but I am excited to do so.

 

[Shootist43]

WOW!!! Where did you come across that beauty??? I'm jealous as all HE**.

 

[Hoss Delgado]

Beautiful rifle. Immortal Caliber. I understand that it's German counterpart is the rather obscure 11.2 × 72 Schuler caliber. Sadly the 11.2 × 72 bullets were seated so deep in their cases ( so that the Cartridges could fit a standard Mauser action ) that they had case capacity issues.
The .404 Jeffery however would be the choice of many Game Departments before the .458 Winchester Magnum was issued.
I myself fired a rebarrelled BRNO ZKK-602 in this caliber once . I loved it .Cutting edge bullets makes Monolithic meplat solids for it

 

[AZDAVE]

Great find, 404 Jeff is such a great and historical calibre. The hard decision is on your next Buff do you take this of the 600?? Ok just shoot two buff

 

[Hoss Delgado]

Great find, 404 Jeff is such a great and historical calibre. The hard decision is on your next Buff do you take this of the 600?? Ok just shoot two buff

.600s are fairly low velocity and have reports of poor penetration from some shooters. I would personally opt for a .404 with Cutting Edge Monometal Meplats or Swift A frames

 

[sierraone]

I think more than a few of us would love to know the details such as from where, how much, etc, etc, etc!

 

[Wheels]

Great looking piece of history. Congratulations on the find.

 

[vette447]

Thanks guys. I have been on a bit of a "Big Bore Bender" for the last 18 months or so. I just decided to post a few pics up to share as you don't see a ton of these posted up very often. There have been some interesting things surface in the last year I am have been fortunate to be able to pick up some of them.

On the rifle for the next Buffalo, it is hard to say. The 404 would work great but I also have a 416 Rigby that I am fond of. If I was using a double; I would probably grab another vintage rifle I picked up during this "bender" I have been on. It is a historic and vintage (1905) Rigby Rising Bite in 470 NE that was owned by a famed British Explorer named WP Thesiger. It is also slim and trim and feels absolutely tremendous in your hands and at the shoulder. I will try to get some pics of it up in the Double Rifle section if I can.

 

[Shootist43]

Dittos on the details.

 

[Red Leg]

Thanks guys. I have been on a bit of a "Big Bore Bender" for the last 18 months or so. I just decided to post a few pics up to share as you don't see a ton of these posted up very often. There have been some interesting things surface in the last year I am have been fortunate to be able to pick up some of them.

On the rifle for the next Buffalo, it is hard to say. The 404 would work great but I also have a 416 Rigby that I am fond of. If I was using a double; I would probably grab another vintage rifle I picked up during this "bender" I have been on. It is a historic and vintage (1905) Rigby Rising Bite in 470 NE that was owned by a famed British Explorer named WP Thesiger. It is also slim and trim and feels absolutely tremendous in your hands and at the shoulder. I will try to get some pics of it up in the Double Rifle section if I can.

I think a Rising Bite is the Holy Grail of this fine madness of ours. Do please post a picture or two of that rifle. And Thesiger's to boot. I would only wipe that rifle down late at night while sipping a bit of 25- year something. I am certain you would have a soul for company.

His book "Arabian Sands" was practically required reading for newly minted Middle East Foreign Area Officers back in the early eighties. It holds up well, and I have a signed copy in my personal library. Would be interesting to know on which adventures that rifle accompanied him.

Congratulations on a wonderful find.

 

[sierraone]

Would love to participate in This Fine Madness, but in the meantime, I will continue to read, wish and dream!!!

 

[vette447]

OK. So I don't hijack my own thread on this very fine 404, I have posted up the 470 NE in the Double Rifle section:
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...-rigby-rising-bite-470-ne-double-rifle.51775/

Thanks for all of the nice comments and any historic information additions guys. It is good for all of us to learn more and enjoy the history and pictures.

 

[CAustin]

Great looking piece of history. Congratulations on the find.

Have you ever posted a picture of yours my friend?

 

[vette447]

I would love to see that

 

[Wheels]

Have you ever posted a picture of yours my friend?

Not near as pretty as vette's.


Jeffery Ledger Information:

W.J.Jeffery

Caliber .404 Jeffery
Hair trigger
Mauser action
Horn cap
24" Krupp barrel
Sights from 100 to 500 yards (spring leaves)
Pistol grip with trap in heel
Scroll engraving
Sling eyes
Date of manufacture (completion) 18th June, 1907
Cost to manufacture ï½£13-11-0 (thirteen pounds and eleven shillings)
Selling price ï½£25-0-0 (twenty five pounds)

 

[vette447]

That one is fantastic. I love that it has a bit of the Jeffery scroll engraving and the more interesting sights as well as a cocking piece peep. What a bonus! Thanks for sharing

 

[Moosemind]

I thought you guys may enjoy this one. It is a prewar (1920s) WJ Jeffery .404 caliber magazine rifle with case and accessories. It was made on a Mauser Magnum Single Square Bridge action and is pretty well unmolested even still having the checkered steel trapdoor buttplate. The cleaning rod in the case is of the type that takes down and I supposed could be made to fit in the buttstock. These old vintage British are so slim and trim and feel so good in the hands. I just love it!

I have not had a chance to shoot it yet but I am excited to do so.

View attachment 297249 View attachment 297251 View attachment 297250 View attachment 297248 View attachment 297247 View attachment 297246 View attachment 297245 View attachment 297244

Being built on Oberndorf Magnum Mauser Action makes it highly desirable. A great find!

 

[Wheels]

That one is fantastic. I love that it has a bit of the Jeffery scroll engraving and the more interesting sights as well as a cocking piece peep. What a bonus! Thanks for sharing

Thanks.

Jeffery had to make their 404's on their sporter or their military actions in 1907. This was built while Rigby had exclusive rights to the Mauser magnum action. I believe Rigby lost this around 1910-1912, then Jeffery started using the magnum actions. .

Pretty sure the peep was after market since it is not mentioned in the ledger. This rifle probably went to India originally.

 

[vette447]

Being built on Oberndorf Magnum Mauser Action makes it highly desirable. A great find!

Thank you. I understand that finding one built on a magnum square bridge action is fairly rare.

 

[Moosemind]

Thank you. I understand that finding one built on a magnum square bridge action is fairly rare.

They are rarer than finding a Model A in 404 High Velocity made with same action which is near impossible to find, let alone purchase.