William Douglas & Sons .470/ Sometimes you get lucky

[cbvanb]

I bought a new William Douglass and Sons .470 from Cape Outfitters in 1997. They were factory regulated with Federal ammo. This wouldn’t happen to be serial number 1116 would it?

 

[Art Lambart II]

Nice rifle Red, does the mean the R8 will have company on your next trip to Africa?

 

[Shootist43]

Red Leg, I just saw this thread. A lucky find indeed. Any double that shoots like that deserves a good home. How about some pics. of the rifle?

 

[AZDAVE]

Red Leg nice find! Having factory ammo that shoots that well is a blessing. Have a great hunt with it.

 

[Fastrig]

Congrats on a beautiful rifle!!

 

[Red Leg]

I bought a new William Douglass and Sons .470 from Cape Outfitters in 1997. They were factory regulated with Federal ammo. This wouldn’t happen to be serial number 1116 would it?

No it isn't.

I assume you sold yours?

 

[Red Leg]

Nice rifle Red, does the mean the R8 will have company on your next trip to Africa?

Good question. It won't stay home, but I might use the double. I should note I have used my S2 "over there" though it is a different sort of double rifle experience (phenomenally accurate at range with scope in place).

 

[cbvanb]

No it isn't.

I assume you sold yours?

Yes, at a time when I didn’t think I would be back to Africa again. I was wrong about that, and I hope to someday find my old 470. I’ve been tempted by other William Douglass doubles over the years but I really want mine back. You have a fine rifle there. I wish they were still making those doubles!

 

[Red Leg]

Yes, at a time when I didn’t think I would be back to Africa again. I was wrong about that, and I hope to someday find my old 470. I’ve been tempted by other William Douglass doubles over the years but I really want mine back. You have a fine rifle there. I wish they were still making those doubles!

I can think of a very fine rifle and two wonderful SxS shotguns that I should never have traded or sold - can’t even remember what I received in the trade. Fortunately, I have hung onto others. Best of luck in your quest.

 

[BeeMaa]

Excellent find and congratulations.
Glad it shoots well for you as well.

Now you can feel at ease and sell me that Blaser S2 three-barrel set...

 

[Petrovič]

I found one W. Douglass .470 Nitro on stevebarnettfineguns.com very simillar, 24" ejector and 9lbs 12oz. for 10,500.US. Not bad. I like them not too heavy or long, so if I lived in states could buy it! Shooting 500 grains. Is it like yours? To be honest, my absolute dream is a .450 NE shooting 480grs. The weight could be 1 lbs less i. e. around 4 kg, more handy for walking. Congrats on yours!

 

[Boxlock]

I bought a new William Douglass and Sons .470 from Cape Outfitters in 1997. They were factory regulated with Federal ammo. This wouldn’t happen to be serial number 1116 would it?

I have 2 x William Douglass 470 rifles one is 1132 and the other is 1101, 1132 is accurate , 1101 has not been shot as new and for sale....

 

[freefall]

I have 2 x William Douglass 470 rifles one is 1132 and the other is 1101, 1132 is accurate , 1101 has not been shot as new and for sale....

How much?

 

[Boxlock]

How much?

I am in Australia but can export

443908 – Used Guns

usedguns.com.au

 

[freefall]

ah,so. Didn't notice, never mind.

 

[VertigoBE]

I am in Australia but can export

443908 – Used Guns

usedguns.com.au

That’s a fine double, what is it regulated with?

 

[Boxlock]

That’s a fine double, what is it regulated with?

Federal 500g

 

[Tucketed]

It’s 4 year history but saw one sold for $7500 at Rock Island. Some gun inflation on that now but looked like a great buy for a 99% double

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Absolutely beautiful. Makes my new .600 Nitro Express look like a barbarian's rifle. Such simplistic and understated elegance.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Assembled, finished and proofed in the UK. Actions came from a CNC facility Holland and barrels from Germany. Most are in .470 and a few .500’s. Standard A&D action, dual under lugs, and hidden third fastener. JJ Perodeau thinks they are a very solid rifle.

They were hurt in this country by some gunsmith claiming they were unsafe, weren’t proofed and didn’t have, for instance, a third fastener. That was all debunked (you can dig up the discussion on another site), but suspect lasting damage done. Judging this rifle on its own merits, it is a classic working boxlock, that is both accurate and well regulated.

One has come up for sale in Australia, made in 1996 and proofed in the UK as you have mentioned. I'm seriously condensing buying it, sounds like a well made rifle? Have you ever found any faults with yours since buying it?