I think it was early 2000 when these rifles were commissioned. A large bore Hand Detachable lock rifle in .600 NE and a small bore in .243 Winchester, both to be deep carved engraved with scenes of Africa of the .600 and American game for the .243 Winchester. Two rifles which show the range we build in our rifles, from very large to small.
Whilst we have made quite a few .600 rifles in recent years I do believe this is the first and only .243 that we made. I say this cautiously as last time I quoted 'a first' calibre someone turned up a previous rifle we had made in the very same calibre, luckily a bullet variation of that calibre allowed me to side step that embarrasment.
The proportions of a large rifle and a small rifle are dramatically different but perhaps not as much as you would expect. The .243 is a petite rifle, but here looks quite large. The governing factor is the size of the action needs to be able to withstand the proof test pressure of the round being built for. The .243 is indeed a small bullet but with a large case and develops a pressure of approximately 60,000psi whereas the .600 is 36,000psi as a comparison. The .600 weighs 14lbs 8ozs and the .243 8lbs 3oz.
Each rifle is cased in an individual black alligator covered oak case fitted with sterling silver case fittings and with bright red goat skin lining and french fitted Ivory tooling. The rifles are part of the collection now housed here at Westley Richards.
The engraving work on both rifles was executed by Peter Spode. Peter first started working for us in the early 90's whilst at the same time also filling the role of headmaster at a boys school in Malvern. I think I possibly urged him to take early retirement so he could work on our guns full time, something which he has been doing now for many years. Peter is an extremely talented engraver with the rare ability to execute work in a variety of styles and he is also a person who continues with his teaching background by sharing his extensive knowledge and helping engravers entering the field with technique.
The Lion Mask Grip Trap on the .600 Rifle.
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Neill on May 1, 2016 at 8:10 pm
Thanks Simon, really appreciated.
Morten on May 2, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Hi Simon, and thank you for your fantastic blogg. its a real deal. Your reply to the continental versus enlish guntrade was epic with H&W and Boss & Co OU’s
Anyway, I noticed on these two double rifle you have a shadowline on the stock behind the pistol grip. any reason for this? Is this WR standard?, may you have more exaples of this where it is seen better? I dont know if I like it yet.
Simon Clode on May 2, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Yes they are!
Larry on May 2, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Quite a grand pair, I really enjoy the lines and contour of the 243. Just out of curiosity, are these consecutive numbered?
Simon Clode on May 1, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Thank you, next year perhaps!
Simon