The Draw of the Sporting Double Rifle

It is done.







My 500 cartridges for the 11.2x72R Schüler have finally arrived.
These were custom-made, based on the chamber of my double rifle drilling. It wasn't exactly cheap, but in my opinion, it was worth every penny.
Now it's time to develop a load (without any initial data) and then head out on the hunt.

Greeting from bavaria.
Chimpondoro

Very good dedication for the soul of the fine double drilling there .

Kevin Peacocke said:

One doesn't just pick up a double, one handles it, feels it, and it immediately talks to you. There is a balance that puts it between your hands, begging to be shouldered and inviting the eye to align those purposeful express sights to your quarry imagined or real, huge and menacing, and close! A double isn't about dots in the distance, it is about hair and crinkled skin, about tusks and wet noses that would as soon kill you as you would them. A supremely functional tool, nay partner in pursuing dangerous game, and dreams. But for all the intricate mechanism contained within, a double has the impeccable manners to conceal it's magic within a form so smooth, flowing, and gracious as to arouse that place in a hunter's chest where his or her soul lives. Where the senses take their spoils for appreciation, a place that knows the smell of gun oil and of a linseed-rubbed walnut stock. Whether there is history in it, or yet to be made, of one thing there is certainty, the journey with a double will be rich, exciting, and rewarding.

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Acknowledgements to Westley Richards.

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Wow Kevin, you just put into words so eloquently what I felt when I handled my first Mannlicher Schoenauer. I believe they both achieve the apex of a hunters need in a firearm.

Kevin Peacocke said:

One doesn't just pick up a double, one handles it, feels it, and it immediately talks to you. There is a balance that puts it between your hands, begging to be shouldered and inviting the eye to align those purposeful express sights to your quarry imagined or real, huge and menacing, and close! A double isn't about dots in the distance, it is about hair and crinkled skin, about tusks and wet noses that would as soon kill you as you would them. A supremely functional tool, nay partner in pursuing dangerous game, and dreams. But for all the intricate mechanism contained within, a double has the impeccable manners to conceal it's magic within a form so smooth, flowing, and gracious as to arouse that place in a hunter's chest where his or her soul lives. Where the senses take their spoils for appreciation, a place that knows the smell of gun oil and of a linseed-rubbed walnut stock. Whether there is history in it, or yet to be made, of one thing there is certainty, the journey with a double will be rich, exciting, and rewarding.

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Acknowledgements to Westley Richards.

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Beautifully articulated. For me, however, guns are primarily tools and second (a fairly distant second) displays of craftsmanship. While I almost never require backup shots when hunting big game, I'd never consider limiting myself to two shots in the gun. Even bird hunting I've always had at least three shots in the gun (I do own a fine O/U and shoot more pheasants in a year than the average guy will likely kill in a lifetime but it never goes afield). The pricetag of double rifles makes them even less appealing to me. I have lived through some tough times and though I'm well enough off now, the value of money is still deeply ingrained. And finally, I have shot SxS shotguns (not my own) and I find looking up two barrels distracting, if not annoying. They also don't feel right in my hands, especially the undersize fore end. Sure, it's because I'm unfamiliar with that format, but do I need to be constantly refamiliarizing myself with formats when I'm hunting? Would that impact productivity = potentially increasing pain and suffering for game ... or hunter?

I think the craftsmanship and pricetag are actually the greatest drawing card for double rifles. Many who own them simply have one (or several) to make a statement about themselves first and foremost. "He owns a double rifle = he must own oil wells." My opinion anyway. Or some just love to collect guns. That's okay. Everyone needs a hobby. Mine is hunting and many might argue I fritter away too much money at it. And they might be right. But a man without escape outlets will not achieve much in life except unhappiness that leads to alienation. For my own mental health I have to strike a balance between one healthy, albeit expensive, hobby and my innate instinct for "cost effectiveness". Fancy rifles just don't fit into the calculation. There's no room. Fancy rifles of questionable utility even less so.

No disrespect intended for those who are attracted to acquiring high grade double rifles. Their reasons are theirs. I'm not judging them. Their reasons have value to them even if I feel they don't apply to me. Different points of view. Different points of value.

towserthemouser said:

Beautiful rifle! Personally I would love to see a detail photograph of that 3 point diamond front sight, and to hear more about how it works for you......

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Apologies I missed your post re the diamond front sight on my 500NE . I have attached a pic . These types of front sights were common on Indian rifles . The work well when it is late in the afternoon or in heavy shade . The diamond will pick up whatever light is available . Against dark water buff skin it makes for a much easier shot .

Chimpondoro said:

Hi guys,
I'm new here so please forgive me if it's a bit bumpy at the start. I want to show you my my latest purchase, a big game double rifle drilling made by Emil Kerner (Suhl) well before the 2nd World War, probably around 1920.
It's chambered in the ultra rare calibre 11,2x72R Schüler and 12/70. Quite a cannon with it's 70cm long barrels and a weight of 7,5kg. Nevertheless, a beautiful and practical rifle.
In the next 2 years it'll be carefully restored by an expert for suhler Prewar Guns.

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Greetings from Bavaria.
Chimpondoro

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Well, we could all be a bit jealous, but congratulations on a great find!
Question: SURELY it could not weigh 15 pounds!?

I'm lucky enough to have a couple of "glamour shots" that the previous owner provided from a write up for the restoration in Double Gun Journal. For me this rifle fits like a bespoke shotgun, throw it up with the eyes closed and its lined up. Double buffalo and a hippo next summer in the Caprivi. 1908 A. Hollis 450/400 3"

steve white said:

Well, we could all be a bit jealous, but congratulations on a great find!
Question: SURELY it could not weigh 15 pounds!?

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Thanks a lot, I heard that a few times by now.

It's true. The gun has 15 pounds. Because of the 70cm barrels and the thick walls of the two rifle barrels it gains a lot of weight. The system is also very big and combined with the Zeiss zielmultar it adds up to 7,5kg.
My guess is, that the gun was mainly used from the sticks or even from a highseat (I know not so common in africa). Why that? It has two set triggers, a high variable maginfication scope (for the time) and the immense weight. Yes the scope is off set and the open sights are well made for close range shooting, but with all the dimensions...‍

While doing research, I found out, that those "heavy cannons" were also used in the eastern parts of europe for moose, bear, Keiler and big stags. On my gun there are stag, boar and a roebuck engraved, so it could also be possible, that it was intended to be used there.
All speculation, but sometimes I dream about, that this gun could talk.
I will use it for driven hunts, the roedeer rut and boar. In the future maybe africa, we will see.

Greetings from bavaria.
Chimpondoro

I get the same sensation or feeling of the DR experience through my British and Scottish shotguns.

The same intangible form and function. The feeling when you shoulder and swing them. The balance and of course the wood and engraved steel. Also the square loads they deliver.

So I get the DR feeling but can use them at home.

A recently aquired Boss & Co 12 I shot pigeons with this week.

And a Scottish round body 28 bore shooting pigeons this week.

Altitude sickness said:

I get the same sensation or feeling of the DR experience through my British and Scottish shotguns.

The same intangible form and function. The feeling when you shoulder and swing them. The balance and of course the wood and engraved steel. Also the square loads they deliver.

So I get the DR feeling but can use them at home.

A recently aquired Boss & Co 12 I shot pigeons with this week.

And a Scottish round body 28 bore shooting pigeons this week.
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Beautiful doubles. I have always heard that the Boss and Co handle incredibly well. And someday I will add a Scottish double to the collection…and take it back for a grouse shoot in Scotland along with a stag hunt. But that’s a dream. Since I’m dreaming, maybe I’ll find a vintage double there and buy it and have it shipped home after the hunt.

On the McNabb thread, there are some videos from Delaney. They loan out Scottish shotguns to hunters.

My 375 H&H flanged magnum . Made in 1929 . Retailed by Manton & Co in India . Regulated for 300grain bullets . This rifle is as tight as a drum .

Oh my !

Westley Richards sidelock 450/400 NE made in 1920 . HH Fateh Singh the Maharana of Udaipur and a famous Shikari was the original owner . It has metal butt plate and a shortish stock , consequently I slip a Pachmayer onto the stock when using it . Great rifle on water buff .

A Purdey 303 non ejector with Jones underlever . Made in 1897 . An early smokeless rifle . Shoots 180 grain bullets very well . Made for Viscount Chaplin a Conservative Cabinet Minister and close friend of the Prince of Wales , later King Edward VII . Optics were fitted by Purdey in 1920s . A great deer rifle .

Wow, that is quite the collection @PCC600 ! Well done!

VertigoBE said:

Wow, that is quite the collection @PCC600 ! Well done!

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Thank you .