A .577 with History - A Great Find

buckstix

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Hello All,

Since many of you enjoy reading about rifles with "stories", I've posted this about a Double Rifle that I acquired in late 2013. I love rifles with stories, and enjoy researching them.

Back in 2013 while I was searching high and low for a 577 BPE to add to my collection, I ran across a "story" from early in 2001. It was about a rifle that had all the things that everyone wants in a fine double rifle. I call them the "Lucky Seven". Here they are, not neccessarily in any order.

First, a very fine World renown Maker.

Second, a document from the World renown Maker that substantiates the original specifications.

Third, a Famous Owner.

Forth, a document from the World renown Maker that it was shipped directly to the Famous Owner.

Fifth, a documented history of use by the Famous Owner.

Sixth, a book written by the Famous Owner giving an account of the rifle's use.

Seventh, a picture in the book showing the Famous Owner holding the Double rifle.

The rifle I found is a John Dickson double rifle in 577 caliber.

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Per the original John Dickson ledger, it was originally built in 1868 with the following specifications:

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Since the original ledger enty is written in quill pen and hard to read, I've translated it.

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What wonderful information!

But, it is no longer a 12-bore, it is now a .577 caliber. This is unusual. However, the Barrels are marked "577EX" and "AH7186".

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As I have learned, "AH" with a number, typically references Alex Henry, and the rifling in the barrels of this rifle, is Alex Henry type. A call to Dickson and McNaughton in Scotland with a request to search the Alex Henry ledger indicated that Ledger serial numbers stopped well before the AH7186 number. But, the Ledger also contained some unregistered numbers for after-market work. And there, the number 7186 was listed. It read:

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And again, since the original ledger enty is written in quill pen and hard to read, I've translated it.

AHaxx-ledger.jpg


This 577 double rifle is in the "rare" caliber 20-.577. This was a proprietary cartridge designed by the well known Scottish firm of Alex Henry. It is a 2 3/4" 20-gauge brass shotgun cartridge that is necked down to accept a .577 bullet.

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Although I was originally looking for a .577 BPE, (black powder express) this rifle is actually a true "Nitro Express" being proved for 70 grains of "rifleite" which is an early form of cordite. This is the same powder charge as the standard .577 NE. These barrels were never intended for black powder.

And the Alexander Henry Ledger documents that this rifle was shipped to Captain M. McNeill.

Malcolm McNeill was born on January 30, 1866, the son of Lt-Col A.C. McNeill. In 1885, when he was only 19, he went into the British army. He served in several African campaigns and also in World War One. McNeill won several medals and awards during his Military Service.

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Unfortunately, Capt. McNeill died in France on June 3, 1917 during WWI. He is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France.

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During his Military career, McNeill was also a big game hunter. Many of his hunting trophies are displayed in a museum in his home town of Oban, Scotland.

In addition, he also authored a book about his Military life and his hunting trips in Somaliland. The book is entitled, "In Pursuit of the Mad Mullah--Service and Sport in the Somali Protectorate." (printed 1902). In the book Captain McNeill tells of being sent to Africa's Somaliland. Before going to Africa in November of 1900, he purchased the Dickson / Henry so he would have an adequate big game hunting rifle.

The front plate in the book has a photograph of the McNeill sitting with this 20-.577 cradled in his arms.

book2.jpg


In the book we have Capt. Malcolm McNeill himself, talking directly to us, telling of his using this rifle during his adventures with it in Africa. He tells how he killed 3 man-eating Lions, 2 with this exact rifle.

book1.jpg


When you read, his writing is just like he was talking to you and telling you his story. You can almost hear him speaking to you "out loud" in your mind.

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What an adventure it must have been in 1901. State-of-the-art hunting on the backs of Camels.

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In the book, McNeill tells of hearing about 4 lions that were attacking a nearby village, and his taking a few days off his Military service to pursue them. He soon found the remains of a man and two camels in the newly deserted village.

"... I had with me a 12-bore paradox, shooting 4 drachms--just the weapon for night work. ... my .577 had gone on with my camels. ..."

It happens that McNeill's 20-.577 was packed away on camels some hours away, so he set-out with his 12-bore paradox double. With it he shot the first lion. It measured 8' 4" long from nose to tip of tail.

Some time later, his camels arrived bringing him the 20-.577 Dickson/Henry. With it, he went after the other 3 lions. Quoting from page 53;

"... I also had my .577 by now, and felt quite prepared to meet anything that might turn up. ..."

McNeill continued to pursue the other 3 lions and soon came upon the second. Quoting from page 57 and 58;

"... the lion was about 130 yards distant. ..." "... I immediately knelt down and fired with my .577, taking him just in front of the shoulder. On receiving the shot he pulled up at once, nearly falling as he did so, and the left barrel knocked him clean over. He managed to crawl under a small tree about 2 or 3 yards off and to get his head round facing me. I put in another shot for safety's sake when I got to about 80 yards from him, but he did not really require it--either of the first two would have killed him. This lion was the biggest of the three I got that day, 8 feet, 10 1 /2 inches as he lay--a big, powerfully made beast, but with no mane. ..."

McNeill then started after the last two lions. They were discovered in heavy cover. Since earlier one of natives had been bitten while pursuing the second lion, McNeill opted to start a grass fire to drive them out of the cover, rather than going in after them. Quoting from page 58 and 59;

"... After some difficulty we got it fairly alight, and after it was about two-thirds burnt, out he came. He stood at the edge of the fire about 80 yards from me, broadside on, and I at once gave him the .577 in the left shoulder. On receiving the shot he turned round and charged straight back through the fire (which was about 18 or 20 yards off), burning his whiskers and singeing himself generally, but not very badly. On getting through the flames he stood on his hind legs, pawing the air, and then fell over on his side--dead. ..."

The forth lion was a female, and McNeill's hunting ethics, dictated him not to pursue her.

So, 3 out of 4 lions in an afternoon's vacation from Duty, 2 shot with my 20-.577 Dickson/Henry. One shot at 130 yards, and the other at 80 yards.

Here is a reference to Capt. Malcolm McNeill Military Service from the London Gazette. This is a very interesting bio indeed.

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Testifying to his Military Battles is this very interesting reference to Capt. Malcolm McNeill. This was a sketch that was published on October 12, 1901, in a Newspaper called the GRAPHIC. (page 485)

It shows Captain McNeill directing his forces in a Battle (detailed in his book) Note the several Martini rifles in addition to the Maxim Machine Gun. McNeill had 2 maxims under his command, a 303, and a 450 cal.

Although Capt. McNeill is shown holding a Martini rifle, I'm sure his 20-.577 was not far away.

The caption reads; "The Expedition Against The Mad Mullah: The Attack On Captain McNeill's Zariba"

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I'll continue to research this rifle and p Perhaps someday I'll find some interesting information about James Robertson, the first owner who ordered it from Dickson in 1868 as a 12 bore double rifle.

And, I intend to shoot it ... a lot.

P.S.

And if all this History wasn't enough, here's another treat. This Holland & Holland Royal Grade Double Grade was presented to President Teddy Roosevelt. It is on display in the Frazier Museum in Louisville, KY.

Look who's on the list of donors. He's the 12th one down. None-other than our "Captain M. McNeill." The text is from page 28 of Teddy Roosevelt's book; "African Game Trails."

How cool is that?

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I really like ths rifle .... A LOT!! I enjoy handling it almost as much as shooting it.
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To have the opportunity (and wherewithal) to acquire such a piece...you lead a charmed life, my friend, a charmed life!
 
WOW!
 
Outstanding !
A definite contender for "Best Post" if such a contest ever develops.
 
Buckstix,
Keep finding rifles like this and you will never die of boredom! Yet another exceptional Post and a Damned fine Rifle.
Cheers,
Cody
 
Hello Bullthrower338,

Thanks for the reply. As per your mention of Cal Papas (from the other post) Cal once owned this double rifle in early 2000.

Hello Panielsen and CTDolan and stug and tarbe and Velo Dog,

Thank you all for your reply.

I'll keep looking for stories. I have a few others that I will post as time permits.
 
Wow! I very much enjoyed reading this story sir. Thank you for sharing!
 
Not sure which was better, the .475 or the .577, but enjoyed the hell out of both! I am a history buff myself and think what you are doing is just awesome! Thank you for sharing!
 
Amazing. Thanks for such a detailed history on your find. R.
 
Thank you sir.

Man, that is some really cool stuff...
 
It is really neat that you have been able to come up with this much history for the rifle.

Thanks for sharing the information with us. Really enjoyed reading it.
 
Hello Wheels and Royal27 and Redruff and Panielsen and CAustin

Thank you for your reply.

I enjoy sharing the information and history about my rifles.
 
Excellent work and a wonderful thing to have. One of the special things about taking these wonderful old rifles and guns to the field is the company they bring of the souls who originally owned and cared for them. For all too few are we able to establish the actual owner, and fewer still have left a legacy such as McNeil. Give him my regards.
 
buckstix

Thank you very much for sharIng. Hunter, collector, scholar and you take much better firearm photos than most of us can probably manage.

Very good to read that this rifle is still in use. Will we see some new hunting photos with your prize?
 
very interesting . i have a friend from school whose family live in oban, and i have asked him if there is any more info that he might be able to find out about the museum and Capt M. McNeil .
 
Great story, I enjoyed the read. Thanks for posting, let us know how it shoots!
 
Guns and rifles with documented histories are so valuable to those of us who appreciate such things. And the idea that it is stilled used to hunt just means it is still writing history!
 

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