Arms, Armor and Militaria

.450/400. 22.375" barrel length. SN: 9242. Blued metal refinish to barrel with case colored finish to frame set in custom walnut semi-pistol grip stock with full length Schnabel forend mounting blued checkered steel buttplate with widow's peak, and black synthetic forend cap. Falling block Farquharson action single shot breechloading rifle mounting adjustable rear notch and brass beaded front blade sights. Maker mark to left frame reads W.J. JEFFEREY & CO. 13 KING ST. ST. JAMES'S within an engraved banner surrounding LONDON/{Serial number}. The Farquharson pattern action exhibits wheat chaff border engraving to all parts with sunbursts to the screws and pins, and floral embellishments to the ends of the tang. Barrel and frame struck with Birmingham proof marks. Barrel markings read CAL. 450/400 NITRO to the left side with the top marked with steel maker marking -Special-Gun-/-Barrel-Steel- followed by -Fried. Krupp-/-ESSEN-. Proof marks read FOR BALL 400 GR/400 EX MAXM. Tang was once drilled and tapped for mounting a rear aperture to the wrist, but the ports have since been filled, polished, and colored to match the remaining metalwork. The stock and sights are modern replacements, and do not match the patterns used by W.J. Jeffrey at the time the action was built. Krupp steel barrels are correct, but the barrel itself appears to have been cut down from its original length and recrowned. The caliber markings appear to have been struck at different times, further indicating the barrel was further restored at some point and remarked. Though the barrel is quite obviously refinished, the action itself shows remarkable case colors that are possibly original, with the firearm rebuilt around a well preserved action.

Founded by William Jackman Jeffery in 1891, initially to sell both newly made and used firearms. The gunmaking capacities of the company increased significantly after opening up at their 13 King Street address. In the years that followed, the company became known for offering high quality arms along with designing a range of rifle cartridges, particularly those suited for hunting the largest game. One of these, the 400/450 Nitro Express, was developed in 1902, and served as a prized chambering for big game hunting in Africa and India. {C&R}