Dave,

Nice rifle and a great find. The last time we spoke you were not adding but thinning. Maybe this one needs a permanent home. If so, let me know.

Best Regards,
Jerry

The guys over on Nitro Express would wet them themselves over that, even though most of them need two barrels to hit their target.

    Say Dave,  .   .   .   .any chance we'll get to lay an eye ball on her ?

     How many notches are carved into her wood ?  You know, of course, that the ghosts of those who have succumb to her blasts are rumored to be quite revengeful, and I hear locking the doors and keeping the windows closed are not at all effective in keeping them at bay.
     Legend has it around here that owners of elephant killers never keep them more that a year for the above stated reason.  How much did you say you want for it ? 

     C.M.M.

Got to thinking more about the cases, ran over to Jamisons and picked up a batch of 20 and they fit perfectly.  When I called, the lady cautioned me first to not have a heart attack when she told me the price.  Didn't quite double my investment in the rifle to buy cases!  I'm grateful to get them, they look beautiful.   20 should be a lifetime supply.

120 grains of powder fills the case to within about 1/2 inch of the top without compression.  I'll load some up and it'll shoot again this weekend.   

I pulled off the forearm, it doesn't have regulation info, but has the caliber stamped again, and GV stamped twice.  Cleaned the crud out of the proofs, and it has a Birmingham visual proof, and a private final proof, and a Birmingham blackpowder definitive proof.  Serial # is above 2500, so must be near the end of the run.  Info I've seen said Fields only made about 2500 actions, and he mostly sold them to Birmingham shops that made the rifles.  The maker was a lower echelon maker, and made mostly India and Africa rifles for the trade, predominantly martini's.  Still, it has nice workmanship, after 100 years the screw slots are still all aligned with the bore.  It locks up tight and has absolutely no play.  It's been thoroughly used, and still should work fine.

I'm looking forward to shooting it.  It's a bit light, I think I'll put on a recoil pad on my shoulder first.

dave

What is the thickness of the rim of the Jamison cases?

Waterman, rims measure .042.  That gives .006 headspace in my rifle, the zero headspace case I made is .048.

DD,  I guess I'll have to find another action for a zipper, starting to think I might like this one the way it is.  It'll be a nice complement to the .458 lott I built on your P-14 action.  

I've got loaded rounds for the .450 NE now, so am prepared for an elephant invasion at the house.  Will try it out this weekend.  I've enjoyed aquiring this rifle and preparing loads for it more than any I've had in some time.  It'll be a hoot at the range!

Added a couple of bullets to my wifes elephant display, kind of completes it:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Here's a couple more complete pictures of the rifle:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I believe I used to own that Field. At the time I bought, it I was told it was used on a sealing ship. That made perfect sense to me as it explains the lack of more rear sights normally found on British rifles. BTW, I own Farquharsons, Frasers, etc and the Field falling block is my favorite British action. There was a side lever Martini covered by the same Field 1877 patent.