{"product_id":"original-british-double-barrel-j-manton-of-london-calcutta-500-express-big-game-tiger-rifle-in-relic-condition","title":"Original British Double Barrel J. Manton of London \u0026 Calcutta .500 Express Big Game Tiger Rifle in Relic Condition","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal item: One-of-a-kind. Here is a very nice \"Relic Condition\" double barreled Victorian Gentleman's BIG GAME RIFLE! When this was first made, it must have been a magnificent example. It looks to have seen much use, and then it unfortunately suffered a crack straight through the butt stock and trigger guard, after which the removed portion was lost. We offer this as an excellent restoration opportunity, or as a great wall hanger with loads of history!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e.500 Black Powder Express was a series of Black powder cartridges of varying lengths which emerged in the 1860s. The .500 BPE was considered an ideal cartridge for medium to large sized game and can still be used for such. It was a popular cartridge in India, considered a good general purpose rifle cartridge popular for hunting tigers. Jim Corbett was a user of a .500 BPE rifle prior to switching to a .400 Jeffery Nitro Express double rifle, shooting cordite Nitro for Black loadings this rifle was used to dispatch the first man-eater he shot, the Champawat Tiger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular big game rifle was manufactured by J. Manton, as indicated on the tops of the barrels:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANTON \u0026amp; CO. GUN MAKERS TO H.R.H. THE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDUKE OF EDINBURGH K.G. LONDON \u0026amp; CALCUTTA.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth lock plates are also marked correctly with \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANTON \u0026amp; CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. Joseph Manton and Sons were one of London's foremost Gun Makers that opened in 1795 and ceased trading in 1877. As indicated, they officially made guns for Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was the second son of Queen Victoria. He bore this title from 1866 until 1893, when he became the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in Germany. This rifle has external hammers, so it was most likely made in the 1870s or 1880s, before the move to internal firing pins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the time, this gun was in what was considered the premium caliber, .500 BLACK POWDER EXPRESS, a massive cartridge capable of bringing down any Elephant, Lion, Rhino or Tiger. This Double Rifle has 27\" barrels with double folding sights of 150 and 250 yards. Like almost all top break shotguns and rifles, the gun breaks down into three pieces for storage in the case. To retain the clean external lines and appearance, most of the markings are inside he barrel joint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rifle bears serial number \u003cstrong\u003e6963\u003c\/strong\u003e on both sides of the receiver inside the joint, forestock, and on both of the barrels. Each barrel also is marked with \u003cstrong\u003e500EX\u003c\/strong\u003e, as well as the London Proofhouse \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ V\u003c\/strong\u003e viewed proof and the \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ GP\u003c\/strong\u003e black powder \"Gunmaker's\" proof for barrels. The receiver side is also marked with \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ V\u003c\/strong\u003e viewed marks. Top lever action opening, both bores do still show rifling, but also show use and fouling, with some areas of oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trigger group portion of the gun is in good cosmetic condition, except of course for the missing buttstock. It really is a shame, as in top condition this would probably be a $7,000 - $ 10,000 hunting rifle. The hammers still pull back and snap forward, but the internal springs and action for both locks are not functional. Many of the internal springs are out of place or broken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great opportunity to pick up a relic example of a fantastic hunting rifle. This would make an excellent restoration project for the advanced hobbyist, or just a great collector's item. Ready to restore or display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: c. 1870\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .500 Black Powder Express double Barrel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 27 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 32 1\/2 Inches (missing buttstock)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: External Hammer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Top Break Single Shot (per barrel)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39568113958981,"sku":"ONDB21044","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONDB21044__05.jpg?v=1633710295","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-double-barrel-j-manton-of-london-calcutta-500-express-big-game-tiger-rifle-in-relic-condition","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}