buckstix
AH enthusiast
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2013
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- US - CANADA
Hello all,
I want to share the happiness of my acquiring a new double rifle, and tell you the story of acquiring it.
Over the last 10 years, I've watched many posts on this forum and other forums about building this custom double rifle. Here's the post from last May by Bailey Bradshaw himself.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/rising-block-double-rifle-500-ne.50670/
A quote from Bailey tells his feeling about finishing this unique rifle;
"This has been an extremely rewarding build. It's one that evokes a strange feeling now that it is complete. Satisfaction yes, but also a feeling of loss in a weird way. Probably the closest feeling is when you finally pull the trigger to end a magical hunt."
Every time I saw a post about this rifle, I wished that I had ordered one for myself. Sadly, I am a very impatient man and can't seem to plan a custom build that requires waiting far out into the future. I'm a "want-it-now" kind-of guy. However, when this rifle recently came up sale, I couldn't resist the opportunity. Seldom does one get a "do-over" in life to correct a regret. So now, I only had to wait 4 days for delivery, not 10 years for completion.
As you know from several previous posts on this forum, I love guns with stories to tell. And what a better story than purchasing one of the most written about Custom Double Rifle builds, posted all over the forums, over many past years. And add to the story that its a "one-of-a-kind" double rifle with such an interesting and innovative action. It fits right into my likes and collectables.
Here are some details about the rifle, with its 2 barrels:
Weight when configured as a 500NE = 10 pounds 13-1/2 ounces w/ 26-1/8" barrels.
Weight when configured as a 450-400-3" = 9 pounds 14-1/2 ounces w/ 26-3/4" barrels.
14-1/4" LOP
As a follow-up to my purchase, I called Bailey Bradshaw and spent nearly an hour talking about his building this wonderful rifle. Being an Engineer, I asked a lot questions about its engineering history. A few points from that discussion that really impress me were; - the rifle was re-started, several times over, as new design improvements were developed and incorporated into the final design of the action - all the deep relief engraving and gold inlays were done by Bailey himself, what a remarkable talent he has - Bailey said he used over 11 feet of 22 carat gold wire in the gold inlays - and finally, he said this was the most elaborate rifle that he has ever made. I'm sure he will be making more.
The rifle with both barrels are now housed in a compact toe-under canvas & leather case that I customized to fit this newly acquired treasure. (I designed and made the parchment case label)
Below are a few repeat pictures as seen before, and a few detailed ones that I have added. I've also listed the youtube videos that were made by Bradshaw during the course of building the rifle, as well as a link to Bailey's web page. I can't wait to get to the range, and will post range results soon.
As always, your comments are most welcome.
http://www.bradshawgunandrifle.com/welcome.html
..... continued .....
I want to share the happiness of my acquiring a new double rifle, and tell you the story of acquiring it.
Over the last 10 years, I've watched many posts on this forum and other forums about building this custom double rifle. Here's the post from last May by Bailey Bradshaw himself.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/rising-block-double-rifle-500-ne.50670/
A quote from Bailey tells his feeling about finishing this unique rifle;
"This has been an extremely rewarding build. It's one that evokes a strange feeling now that it is complete. Satisfaction yes, but also a feeling of loss in a weird way. Probably the closest feeling is when you finally pull the trigger to end a magical hunt."
Every time I saw a post about this rifle, I wished that I had ordered one for myself. Sadly, I am a very impatient man and can't seem to plan a custom build that requires waiting far out into the future. I'm a "want-it-now" kind-of guy. However, when this rifle recently came up sale, I couldn't resist the opportunity. Seldom does one get a "do-over" in life to correct a regret. So now, I only had to wait 4 days for delivery, not 10 years for completion.
As you know from several previous posts on this forum, I love guns with stories to tell. And what a better story than purchasing one of the most written about Custom Double Rifle builds, posted all over the forums, over many past years. And add to the story that its a "one-of-a-kind" double rifle with such an interesting and innovative action. It fits right into my likes and collectables.
Here are some details about the rifle, with its 2 barrels:
Weight when configured as a 500NE = 10 pounds 13-1/2 ounces w/ 26-1/8" barrels.
Weight when configured as a 450-400-3" = 9 pounds 14-1/2 ounces w/ 26-3/4" barrels.
14-1/4" LOP
As a follow-up to my purchase, I called Bailey Bradshaw and spent nearly an hour talking about his building this wonderful rifle. Being an Engineer, I asked a lot questions about its engineering history. A few points from that discussion that really impress me were; - the rifle was re-started, several times over, as new design improvements were developed and incorporated into the final design of the action - all the deep relief engraving and gold inlays were done by Bailey himself, what a remarkable talent he has - Bailey said he used over 11 feet of 22 carat gold wire in the gold inlays - and finally, he said this was the most elaborate rifle that he has ever made. I'm sure he will be making more.
The rifle with both barrels are now housed in a compact toe-under canvas & leather case that I customized to fit this newly acquired treasure. (I designed and made the parchment case label)
Below are a few repeat pictures as seen before, and a few detailed ones that I have added. I've also listed the youtube videos that were made by Bradshaw during the course of building the rifle, as well as a link to Bailey's web page. I can't wait to get to the range, and will post range results soon.
As always, your comments are most welcome.
http://www.bradshawgunandrifle.com/welcome.html
..... continued .....
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