William Evans 450 3 1/4 question

Warren Knudsen

Warren Knudsen

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looking at potentially purchasing a 450 3 1/4 William Evans, not the best pictures but am wondering if any one can shed light or any information, it looks like a early pre 1903, serial number 6122. My main question is if it is nitro profed for modern ammunition. I have read that pre 1903 the NP was not stamped on the action. And I am hoping some one may be able to shed some light on this.

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Yes that gun is Nitro Proofed ... the mark is there and it is stamped 70grs Cordite 480gr Bullet...
It is also a Webley Scott Screw Grip
?? What length are the Barrels??
 
zephyr said:
Yes that gun is Nitro Proofed ... the mark is there and it is stamped 70grs Cordite 480gr Bullet...
It is also a Webley Scott Screw Grip
?? What length are the Barrels??
Click to expand...
Barrels are 28in
 
Yes, it is a cordite rifle and you can develop a nitro load for it. Whether or not the rifle is in good shape is impossible to know from the photos. Barrel mating/integrity, rifling, springs, pins, etc really need to be evaluated in person by someone. I would ask some pointed questions because it has obviously been repolished and blacked due to some level of neglect. Note the corrosion marks on the machine turned rib that can't be hidden by a grinding wheel. Cordite was very corrosive, and if the exterior was neglected, the same could have been true of chambers and rifling. If all that checks out, Evans made fine firearms.
 
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Red Leg said:
Yes, it is a cordite rifle and you can develop a nitro load for it. Whether or not the rifle is in good shape is impossible to know from the photos. Barrel mating/integrity, rifling, springs, pins, etc really need to be evaluated in person by someone. I would ask some pointed questions because it has obviously been repolished due to some level of neglect. Note the corrosion marks on the machine turned rib that can't be hidden by a grinding wheel. Cordite was very corrosive, and if the exterior was neglected, the same could have been true of chambers and rifling. If all that checks out, Evans made fine firearms.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input Red.
 
Nice rifle. Its made with shoelump barrels which was more or less standard with these Webley screwgrip box locks. I too have a Gibbs in .450 Nitro on similar action. Use Woodleigh bullets. THe Hornady bullets used in their factory ammo are hard bullets which I believe can cause stress in these old barrels. THey blew up while I had it in my hand. I had new barrels made so now I can shoot solid steelbullets(if such thing excist). It will now last for a lifetime.
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rigbymauser said:
Nice rifle. Its made with shoelump barrels which was more or less standard with these Webley screwgrip box locks. I too have a Gibbs in .450 Nitro on similar action. Use Woodleigh bullets. THe Hornady bullets used in their factory ammo are hard bullets which I believe can cause stress in these old barrels. THey blew up while I had it in my hand. I had new barrels made so now I can shoot solid steelbullets(if such thing excist). It will now last for a lifetime. View attachment 639943
Click to expand...
Lovely rifle, Bwana. Might I ask where and who you had your barrels made by ? I've got an old 470 that needs the same treatment.
 
Red Leg said:
Yes, it is a cordite rifle and you can develop a nitro load for it. Whether or not the rifle is in good shape is impossible to know from the photos. Barrel mating/integrity, rifling, springs, pins, etc really need to be evaluated in person by someone. I would ask some pointed questions because it has obviously been repolished and blacked due to some level of neglect. Note the corrosion marks on the machine turned rib that can't be hidden by a grinding wheel. Cordite was very corrosive, and if the exterior was neglected, the same could have been true of chambers and rifling. If all that checks out, Evans made fine firearms.
Click to expand...
If it was me I would negotiate to first send it to JJ Perodeau first for inspection before I bought
 
Being based in NewZealand makes it a little hard, and there are not many people who could evaluate it. So I will have another look at it and give the bores a good clean and think hard about my decision.
Rare Breed said:
If it was me I would negotiate to first send it to JJ Perodeau first for inspection before I bought
Click to expand...
 
Warren I’m NZ based some of the time & help out at a gunsmiths, have & handle a lot of Doubles so could give you a fair opinion on it.

What Island are you on ?
 
Warren Knudsen said:
Being based in NewZealand makes it a little hard, and there are not many people who could evaluate it. So I will have another look at it and give the bores a good clean and think hard about my decision.
Click to expand...
My bad my friend!!! I apologize for not realizing this! Just excited for you for what appears to be without checking an exciting gun!!!
 
Sarg said:
Warren I’m NZ based some of the time & help out at a gunsmiths, have & handle a lot of Doubles so could give you a fair opinion on it.

What Island are you on ?
Click to expand...
I am in the North Island, I may send it to Allan Carr in Wellington after another inspection.
 
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