G.E. Lewis 450

[Finn fan]

Hello all,
Looking for some help. I ran across a G.E Lewis under lever, hammer double rifle in 450 for sale at a local auction. The auction is coming up and I only had a brief moment to inspect the gun. Based on my knowledge of double shotguns I feel the gun is in good shape, rifling is strong and action is tight.
However the owner has passed and the family knows nothing about the gun.
I’m interested in it.
I could not determine if it was a 450 express or black powder. Also what else should I look for?
Lastly any thoughts on a price ceiling?
A web search shows a similar gun shy a national auction site with an estimated price of $4000-$6000.
I will have a chance to revisit the gun before the auction and any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Being an under lever hammer gun I would imagine it’s black powder. I bet someone more knowledgeable will come along shortly.

 

[Esoteric Junkie]

Being an under lever hammer gun I would imagine it’s black powder. I bet someone more knowledgeable will come along shortly.

Hello all,
Looking for some help. I ran across a G.E Lewis under lever, hammer double rifle in 450 for sale at a local auction. The auction is coming up and I only had a brief moment to inspect the gun. Based on my knowledge of double shotguns I feel the gun is in good shape, rifling is strong and action is tight.
However the owner has passed and the family knows nothing about the gun.
I’m interested in it.
I could not determine if it was a 450 express or black powder. Also what else should I look for?
Lastly any thoughts on a price ceiling?
A web search shows a similar gun shy a national auction site with an estimated price of $4000-$6000.
I will have a chance to revisit the gun before the auction and any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Look at the proof marks. Are the proof marks original or restamped? Also, weight the barrels and what is the overall weight? Has there been weight added to the buttstock? There were a lot of nitro hammer underlever doubles made, however there will be signs indicating it is BPE or NE.

EJ

 

[Finn fan]

Thank you!
I hope the auction house lets me dissemble the gun. If not it would be hard to part with $$$$ that it will take to make it mine.
I will attempt to look at the flats and watertable. I have a resource for proofmarks.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Under lever hammer double rifles have been built in smokeless powder Nitro Express calibers. Until we see the proof marks, there is absolutely no way to tell for certain.

 

[Dewald]

Your aswer lies on the flats of the barrels

 

[93marlin]

@Finn fan From your description, I'm guessing it's a 450 bpe. Those will marked 450 EX.
Hopefully you can get look at the flats.

 

[Finn fan]

Engraved G.E. Lewis .450 Express Back Action Hammer Double Rifle

Engraved G.E. Lewis .450 Express Back Action Hammer Double Rifle with CaseManufactured by the Birmingham firm of George Edward Lewis. Beaded blade front and three-leaf (one standing, two folding) rear express sight with silver inlaid sighting lines, barrel flats stamped with standard British...

www.rockislandauction.com

This is not the gun however the one I’m looking at is almost identical.

Thank you to all for your help

 

[AZDAVE]

In most cases if it says express it is a BPE if it has 450 NE it will be smokless. And at the price they are expecting to get I would say it is BPE.. that being said the proof marks on flats will confirm.

 

[Finn fan]

 

[Finn fan]

Does anyone know what language this is? The rifle in question has it on the stock.

 

[DrBob]

Does anyone know what language this is? The rifle in question has it on the stock.

Hindi..... Calcutta shop?

 

[Finn fan]

Thank you! I believe it is Hindi. I’ve had no luck translating it. Anyone out there read Hindi?
I’m inspecting the rifle next week

 

[DrBob]

Thank you! I believe it is Hindi. I’ve had no luck translating it. Anyone out there read Hindi?
I’m inspecting the rifle next week

I tried matching the engraving with the Hindi alphabet. Got some of the letters but even so...well. fun to give a go at it. Let us know if anyone can come up with the translation...

 

[SStomcat]

View attachment 661359

No 24
Rakt Pyasi meaning Blood Thirsty
840 No
State- Banswara

 

[DrBob]

No 24
Rakt Pyasi meaning Blood Thirsty
840 No
State- Banswara

Nice... thanks for update!

 

[Finn fan]

Thank you! That is so cool, almost like one is having a beer with the former owner. I hope circumstances result in “bloody thirsty” calling my place home

 

[SStomcat]

Banswara was an erstwhile princely state in India now Rajasthan. It was ruled by many dynasties led by Maharajas or Princes. Quite possibly this gun belonged to one of them.

 

[steve white]

Lewis is a well approved maker...

 

[Finn fan]

I was able to get a close look at the gun today. It undoubtedly is a black powder rifle. I attached a picture.
I also think the rifle was reblued at some time because the barrel bluing is quite good but under the fore end there is pitting. The gun is tight and the hammers are crisp.
Along with the gun there is a reloading kit with dies, some Hornady brass, lead bullets(some paper patched some unpatched) and the load that was probably last shot in the rifle:
330 grain paper patched bullet over 44.6 grains 4198. The card says velocity was 1776 fps