Next week we are having one of our vaults refitted so we can hold our collection of guns and rifles with more visibility. Visitors to the factory have always enjoyed seeing the variety of different firearms we have here, a collection not restricted to our own manufacture, but including guns and rifles from most of the English makers.
Whilst moving guns out of the way today we unearthed this 'one of a kind' gold name hand detachable lock double rifle which we completed in 1996 for a French professional hunter. I had actually completely forgotten we had this rifle in the building. The calibre is .577/.500 No.2 and when I say one of a kind, I mean it in terms of it being the only double rifle we have built in this calibre. It has a 'no frills' finish which is typical of a professional hunters requirements, better to spend the engraving money on ammunition!
The rifle has no sling swivels and a flat beavertail forend which fills two roles, one giving plenty to hang onto and secondly to provide a comfortable flat surface so the rifle can be carried on the shoulder with barrels facing forwards. You can see where all the barrel black is worn off from just behind the front sight block where the rifle has been held for many a mile. The rifle also has a stalking safety, the front sight cover is removed, there is a large gold V on rear sight to aid faster sighting and a large bull elephant engraved by Rashid on the cover plate. This is no doubt a species identity help, something like the perfect shot, see a bull that looks like this 'take it'! All in all, a totally practical rifle.
The .577/.500 No2 calibre in nitro format was a cartridge introduced by Hartman and Weiss who made some single shot falling block rifles in this calibre. The original cartridge was a black powder version which was introduced sometime before 1879 this was then developed in various formats including Nitro for black and fullNitro load with a variation in bullet weight of from 300 grains up to 570 grn, The nitro version for our rifle used the 570 grn. bullet and we think the velocity was around 2300 fps. It was a powerful round and the rifles weight of 14 lbs. compensated for this.
A .22LR is dwarfed by the 2 rounds of .577/.500 No 2.
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Richard Bruckman on October 13, 2016 at 12:20 am
Is this weapon for sale ? And how much , just a dream , How much ? Thank You Richard B. Bruckman .
Gordon courtney on July 11, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Many thanks for your comments, the truth always hurts, ha ha, i guess i will have to persuade you to part with this lovely 577/500 no 2, you never said if its in England or the USA, love to see it and hold it. I also have a mint 450/400, 3 " by lyon and lyon late of Bonhams, so i am not too unhappy, th put photos of my doubles on British military forums under 577/500 no 2, until then once again, i wish you well. Gordon Courtney
Simon Clode on July 10, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Gordon, thank you for your comments. I think the answer should be no, you cannot shoot a 570g bullet safely in the old rifles. I am sure people do and it perhaps works but the action was not designed or proofed for that load of increased bullet, powder, pressure etc. Some old rifles are on huge actions and it could be possible but if you want to be sure you have the rifle proofed, the risk you take is that it gets scattered around the proof house in bits!
Grahame Wright is the authority on reloading for all these calibre’s and has written some books about it. Woodleigh has just published a book with Wright on the subject also.
Gordon courtney on July 10, 2015 at 12:17 pm
I should have added, i love the 577/500 no 2 so much, its such a charismatic cartridge, and as this one of a kind rifle would be financially beyond most of us, would it be possible to fire a 570 g bullet in theses older 577/500 no 2 , 440g bullet, cordite hammer rifles, and what advice could we get on powder and final velocity, 1800 to 2000 ft per sec would be fantastic, of course the barrels will need re re-regulating , but its a small price to pay., i am not the only one who has asked. ( See British military forums. ) apology for my second reply attempt but i just cannot help it, many thanks.
Gordon courtney on July 9, 2015 at 5:38 pm
what a lovely 577/500 no 2, i also have a 577/N500 no 2 hammer double by thomas bland, 1906 cordite proof, bores mint never fired, but a modern one like yours i am so envious its my favourit round. Thanks so much for posting the photos.