My first …. And second double

[mms45]

In for a penny in for a pound I guess. I had been on the hunt for a double for a while having pm’d a few members here for advice I ended up with 2. The first is a heym 88B it was originally a 458wm that was converted and regulated by JJ to 450NE and Hornady DGX. I have always wanted a 450NE. I for what ever reason always gravitate to less common calibers. Well during my research I had stumbled across another rifle a francotte box lock in 470 regulated with federal bearclaws. It was being sold by its orginal owner Mark the man behind big bore production hunting show dvds in the early 2000s. In fact this rifle was featured in death by double rifle and several of his other shows. I was drawn to it as it was probably as close to a best rifle as I’ll ever get. I like the hand engraving, extended to tang and fantastic wood. It will be interesting to see which one I like better in the long run they feel very different in the hand.

 

[Tanks]

Congratulations.

 

[Tex .416]

Beautiful rifles, congratulations.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Very, very nice. How are the barrels joined on the Francotte? I believe Heym are Shoe Lump.

 

[mms45]

Very, very nice. How are the barrels joined on the Francotte? I believe Heym are Shoe Lump.

I am not an expert but I believe it is the same shoe lump and not copper lump because of the lack of seam on the lumps. Do know it is not a mono block there are no seams on the barrel.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Recently I have been trying to learn more about specific production methods of doubles. Based on your picture I would have said Monobloc because a Shoe Lump method, I thought, has a platform or “shoe” the barrels sit in. Here is a sketch from Hallowell of the Shoe Lump Method of joining and pictures of my Merkel 140AE .470 which I also believe is Monobloc. My Merkel does not have seams on the barrels either but I can see a faint line where the rib is joined. So far I have only seen the “barrel seams” on double shotguns.

 

[mms45]

You can see the seams for the shoe on the bottom of mine look behind the ejector.

I don’t see the seam there on yours but hard to tell

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Yes, I see the seam now that you point that out. My Merkel does not have that seam. Mine is an Extractor model but don’t think that makes any difference. I noticed a sketch for the Dovetail Lump Joining Method and plan to read more about that today. It appears the methods are:
Shoe Lump
Chopper Lump
Chopper Lump Dovetail
Dovetail Lump
Monobloc

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Here are photos of what I believe is the faint weld seam extending the rib on the Monobloc Merkel 140AE:

 

[degoins]

In for a penny in for a pound I guess. I had been on the hunt for a double for a while having pm’d a few members here for advice I ended up with 2. The first is a heym 88B it was originally a 458wm that was converted and regulated by JJ to 450NE and Hornady DGX. I have always wanted a 450NE. I for what ever reason always gravitate to less common calibers. Well during my research I had stumbled across another rifle a francotte box lock in 470 regulated with federal bearclaws. It was being sold by its orginal owner Mark the man behind big bore production hunting show dvds in the early 2000s. In fact this rifle was featured in death by double rifle and several of his other shows. I was drawn to it as it was probably as close to a best rifle as I’ll ever get. I like the hand engraving, extended to tang and fantastic wood. It will be interesting to see which one I like better in the long run they feel very different in the hand.

You've got yourself some lovely rifles!
That Francotte is magnificent!!

 

[SETH RINGER]

GREAT WOOD ON THAT 470. IF YOU HAVE MY LUCK THE 450 WILL FIT YOU BETTER AND THAT IS WHAT YOU GRAB.

 

[mms45]

GREAT WOOD ON THAT 470. IF YOU HAVE MY LUCK THE 450 WILL FIT YOU BETTER AND THAT IS WHAT YOU GRAB.

Thank you knowing my luck you’re probably right!

 

[PCC600]

Two nice DRs with wonderful rounds . But gee that Francotte is nice . Love the top strap and assume there is also one below . A very stylish way to strengthen the stock .

 

[mms45]

Two nice DRs with wonderful rounds . But gee that Francotte is nice . Love the top strap and assume there is also one below . A very stylish way to strengthen the stock .

Yes bottom strap all the way to the pistol grip flip cover

 

[mms45]

Sent the francotte to JJ to add weight and and RMR at 10.3lbs now much more manageable than a 9.5lb 470.

 

[Dakota Hunter]

The 450 NE is a great round !

 

[Dakota Hunter]

A 9.5 pound 470 NE would tend to be snappy in the recoil department I imagine !

 

[gearguywb]

Very nice. Congratulations!