Would anyone like a 405W Double rifle?

[Scrumbag]

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...0005/lot-1be91fb3-39db-49cf-aee7-ab4900c2c178

There you go!

 

[crs]

Thanks, but I already have a .405 DR.

 

[Red Leg]

Very cool rifle. Assuming the scope and mounts were added when the rifle was re-barreled, the work was likely done in the thirties. I have always thought the clamshell action, or as our German friends would say "Mussel Verschluss", is one of the more elegant designs ever created. Assuming it is in otherwise good shape, it would be a handy rifle for driven boar in Europe and PG in Africa.

I have double rifle drilling in such a configuration (9.3x74R/9.3x74R/16 bore). The design is extremely strong and must have been extremely demanding to create.

 

[AZDAVE]

Nice looking double and the price is good. Very elegant style of action

 

[WAB]

Odd caliber for a double. I wonder what you could get out of a .405 with judicious handloading in this action? Probably run into regulation issues before hitting its potential.

 

[Scrumbag]

Odd caliber for a double. I wonder what you could get out of a .405 with judicious handloading in this action? Probably run into regulation issues before hitting its potential.

True, but how much fun would it be jump shooting pigs with this thing!?!

 

[crs]

WAB observed "Odd caliber for a double. I wonder what you could get out of a .405 with judicious handloading in this action? Probably run into regulation issues before hitting its potential."
Maybe, maybe not.
My Simson .405 DR is regulated for Hornady 300 grain factory ammo at 2225 fps and can put two L&R into one inch at 50 yards(regulation group).
With hand loaded .411 caliber 400 grain bullets at 2050 fps, the 50 yard group enlarges, but is still OK for big game. However the performance of the 300 grain hand loads is such that the 400 grain loads do not seem to be necessary in the lower 48. Most 300 grain bullets shoot through big game and result in one shot kills such as this Nilgai taken with 300 grain Barnes TSX:


Same for this 300 pound red deer hind taken at about 40-50 yards:


The .400 grain Woodies loaded to 2076 fps can take larger game. This one may have thought it was shot with a 450/400:


Go buy that .405 DR and have some fun with it.

 

[WAB]

It seems like a good price but import is a hassle. If I understand the listing it looks like it is in the UK? Maybe one of our UK members will jump on it!

 

[Scrumbag]

It seems like a good price but import is a hassle. If I understand the listing it looks like it is in the UK? Maybe one of our UK members will jump on it!

I would almost be tempted but owning a 9.3x62 and a .404Jeff I would probably struggle to convince the UK police for licensing

 

[crs]

I took a close look and it seems sure to be a made- in -Suhl action based on several features common to Suhl actions. Very stylish. Interesting that the cocking pins are missing. Without a provenance, the buyer might never know why.

 

[Red Leg]

I took a close look and it seems sure to be a made- in -Suhl action based on several features common to Suhl actions. Very stylish. Interesting that the cocking pins are missing. Without a provenance, the buyer might never know why.

The clam shell action, which is fairly rare due to how time consuming it was to build (and thus expensive), normally does not have cocking indicators which are more common on a traditional Suhl A&D or floor plate action.

 

[crs]

Red Leg, Thanks for you observations.
Mmm, the auction text states that there are cocked hammer indicator apertures but no pins.
Maybe the gun maker bought the action in the and just did not or could not implement the pins.

The engraving made it difficult for me to see if the action has a Greener cross bolt, like many Merkel and Simson actions that had the rear of the action scalloped. Could you see a cross bolt?

 

[Red Leg]

I missed that crs. The three or four I’ve looked at did not have them. If holes are there on that one, it should. Odd.

I have never seen a cross bolt on one. The “clam shell” portion of the action wraps around the rear of the barrels making it very strong. Because of that, the action face is therefore wider than a standard A&D action. My guess is that may also complicate creating enough throw distance for the top lever to actuate a typical crossbolt.

 

[crs]

Red Leg,
If someone on the forum buys this rifle, maybe we can see a picture of it with the action open and get some more answers from that.

 

[HWL]

Some informations about Otto Geyger, Berlin, ......

http://www.germanhuntingguns.com/archives/geyger-o-berlin/


HWL

 

[HWL]

Some informations about Martin Kruschitz, Wien.

https://www.martin-kruschitz.at/über-uns/

HWL

 

[crs]

HWL,
Thank you for the links, photos , and history.

 

[HWL]

Interesting that the cocking pins are missing. .

In Suhl, it is an easy job to replace them.... including a complete
costumer service.

HWL