New vs vintage 450/400NE double rifle

[hcrobertsonjr]

Oh I know they exist, i put up a link to one on GI recently. I just wanted to point out that they arent nearly as common as the 3.25".

450/400 WJ Jeffery

Just curious if this is the gun you're referring to and if you have any thoughts about it? I'm thinking about buying it.

 

[Russ16]

450/400 WJ Jeffery

Just curious if this is the gun you're referring to and if you have any thoughts about it? I'm thinking about buying it.

I’d be very cautious about that gun. Pay to have it looked at by an expert before buying.

 

[hcrobertsonjr]

I’d be very cautious about that gun. Pay to have it looked at by an expert before buying.

Thank you. Appreciate the advice!!!

 

[Wildwillalaska]

450/400 WJ Jeffery

Just curious if this is the gun you're referring to and if you have any thoughts about it? I'm thinking about buying it.

The gent selling that gun is/was a member here is think. He had a very nice Heym 577 he sold a while back as well.

That 450/400 is one that I think will always have to go at a large discount due to the amount of pitting and old corrosion. Look at the barrel flats and table photos (#12 and #14 of 15), it’s had some times of less than loving care for sure.

Then the last photo, the firing pins and pin-holes appear ovate vs round. It’s absolutely a rifle that should have Ken Owen or JJ give it a once over…I’m just curious what the bores look like with that much pitting on the table and flats.

 

[hcrobertsonjr]

The gent selling that gun is/was a member here is think. He had a very nice Heym 577 he sold a while back as well.

That 450/400 is one that I think will always have to go at a large discount due to the amount of pitting and old corrosion. Look at the barrel flats and table photos (#12 and #14 of 15), it’s had some times of less than loving care for sure.

Then the last photo, the firing pins and pin-holes appear ovate vs round. It’s absolutely a rifle that should have Ken Owen or JJ give it a once over…I’m just curious what the bores look like with that much pitting on the table and flats.

Thank you. Yes, I think I'll pass. I'm a lefty so I'll have one made for me. I have time. My hunt is planned for next fall.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Thank you. Yes, I think I'll pass. I'm a lefty so I'll have one made for me. I have time. My hunt is planned for next fall.

There is a gorgeous Heym 89b for sale here on the forums in 450/400….likely would have sold well before now but for one issue…it’s wrong-handed. It needs a left-handed owner.

 

[hcrobertsonjr]

There is a gorgeous Heym 89b for sale here on the forums in 450/400….likely would have sold well before now but for one issue…it’s wrong-handed. It needs a left-handed owner.

Really!!! I'll take a look see. Many thanks!!!

 

[hcrobertsonjr]

There is a gorgeous Heym 89b for sale here on the forums in 450/400….likely would have sold well before now but for one issue…it’s wrong-handed. It needs a left-handed owner.

Sure is nice, but 42k is a little too rich for me. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[matt85]

450/400 WJ Jeffery

Just curious if this is the gun you're referring to and if you have any thoughts about it? I'm thinking about buying it.

Cant remember, might be. As said above, it has clearly lived a rough life and has been refinished. But assuming every thing turns out functionally fine (have it inspected), it could be a great hunting rifle.

W.J. Jeffery was a seller of quality firearms for people on a budget. Their guns werent usually heavily decorated but were well made and reliable. My Jeffery double is 130 years old and is still ready for a safari!

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Not a Jeffery, but this little Vintage 450/400 is finally starting to show promise. It loves A-Frames and shoots Woodleigh RNSN ok as well. These were at 50yds off standing rest.

Think I coulda done better if hadn’t shot 42 rounds of 500NE before hand. Eyes were getting tired by the time I swapped to the 1912 open sights.

 

[Tucketed]

Will, looks good to me. Wish my eyes were younger. Nice shooting.

 

[PCC600]

Not a Jeffery, but this little Vintage 450/400 is finally starting to show promise. It loves A-Frames and shoots Woodleigh RNSN ok as well. These were at 50yds off standing rest.

Think I coulda done better if hadn’t shot 42 rounds of 500NE before hand. Eyes were getting tired by the time I swapped to the 1912 open sights. View attachment 773250View attachment 773251

Better than a Jeffery !

 

[Xpraetor]

Im having issues with my Chapuis (9.3x74r) but they're honouring a warrenty on it despite it being used and 23yrs since it was made. That said i think i got it barely uaed and the issue isn't fixed yet (broken extractor springs and brokem firing pins twice in 6 months)

Also, they've just been bought by Beretta (who also owns H&H amoung a lot of other brands), so they should have the ability and money to get it right

Man, I've been under a rock I guess, totally missed that H&H was acquired by Beretta & now Chapuis ....

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Man, I've been under a rock I guess, totally missed that H&H was acquired by Beretta & now Chapuis ....

...that has been a minute too.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

...that has been a minute too.

lol…more than a minute but less than a decade. Hard to believe such a cool grail gun maker was owned by Chanel for more than three previous decades…Beretta was a good step. Between Chanel having Holland and that other glamour conglomerate…Richemont, that owns Montblanc, Cartier amongst many other….buying Purdey, I’m happy to see a firearm group like Beretta taking back the purse. Rigby has Mauser/Blaser, seems like good moves in a good direction considering the options.

 

[PCC600]

lol…more than a minute but less than a decade. Hard to believe such a cool grail gun maker was owned by Chanel for more than three previous decades…Beretta was a good step. Between Chanel having Holland and that other glamour conglomerate…Richemont, that owns Montblanc, Cartier amongst many other….buying Purdey, I’m happy to see a firearm group like Beretta taking back the purse. Rigby has Mauser/Blaser, seems like good moves in a good direction considering the options.

Sadly I think H&H has gone backwards under Beretta . Just look at their hideous “Noble”o/u .

 

[Ridge Runner]

The one in the middle, Joseph Lang boxlock, PHV-1 action and 28" barrels, .450/400 3.25NE from 1906. It regulates at 30mm with original Kynoch ammo at 50 yards. Scaled down action, very handy..

View attachment 766815

@Pondoro, Is the bottom rifle a Rigby?

 

[318AE]

My experience might not be the norm, I just seem to see more 3.25" guns when surfing gunsinternational on my never-ending search for the right 577 double.

The 450/400 3” in its various names, including 400 Jeffery etc, is far more common amongst the vintage guns. It’s likely one of the reasons the modern 450/400 (loaded by Hornady, chambered in a Ruger no 1 or most any modern double) is in fact the 3”.

 

[gcbailey]

I have a Jeffery 450/400 3" and have owned a Chapuis 450/400 as well. The Chapuis was a very nicely regulated rifle and I would not hesitate to take it to Africa. The gentleman I sold it to did just that and took a beautiful buffalo with it. Maybe I was just lucky, but I have not had regulation issues using modern powders. I kept my muzzle velocity the same as what it was originally regulated for and it performed perfectly on a Cape buffalo and lion. The new guns are nice but there's just something about taking a 126 year old rifle back to the hunting fields that satisfies the soul.

 

[Pondoro]

@Pondoro, Is the bottom rifle a Rigby?

No..its a Lyon & Lyon .577BPE