Butch B. Searcy & Co Sturgis Deluxe Boxlock .450 Nitro Express Double Rifle
SOLD FOR: $10530.51
LSB#: 210906MB11
Make: Butch Searcy & Co.
Model: Boxlock Double Rifle, based on the serial prefix we believe it is a Deluxe Grade
Serial Number: LUX-003
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 2005
Caliber: .450 Nitro Express, 3″
Action Type: Boxlock, Side by Side, Dual Trigger, Double Rifle with Ejectors
Markings: The top of the barrel’s quarter rib is marked “B. SEARCY & CO. STURGIS, SD USA”, the top of the left barrel is marked “450 NITRO EXPRESS 3”. The left barrel flat and the right of the water table are each marked “LUX-003”. The receiver has relief foliate scroll engraving with the motif continued onto the guard, forend iron, and forend latch.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a red fiber-optic beaded blade in-line dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel rib. The rear sight is a shallow, wide “V”-notch with a vertical white line aiming reference dovetailed to the quarter-rib at the rear of the barrel rib. The rib is grooved to accept optic mounts (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered 4x walnut with splinter forend, case color steel capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece, black rubber Pachmayr buttpad, and a sling stud in the belly (the other is mounted to the bottom of the barrel rib). The forend has some scattered minor nicks and scuffing, most toward the front and appearing to be light sling wear. The buttstock has some light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most in the belly and bottom of the cheekpiece, also consistent with sling wear, and on the left of the wrist. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 3/8″ and 13 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 13 3/8″ and 12 3/8″ to the back of the wood. The cast is about neutral. The pad is still supple with minor wear. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrels have a few scattered minor marks with some light scuffing on the left barrel above the forward sling stud and a light scratch on the left barrel at the muzzle. There is some minor surface oxidation on the bottoms of the barrels, concealed by the forend when it is installed. The receiver has some very minor oxidation and light handling wear, most on the bottom, with otherwise strong case color. The action shows minor operational wear. The markings are clear. The screw heads range from sharp to very lightly tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The barrels lock up with no play. The triggers are light and crisp. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Wow, just wow! This is a gorgeous .450 Nitro Express double rifle custom made by Butch Searcy & Co., sometime shortly after they opened their location in Sturgis, South Dakota. Butch Searcy and his crew create nothing less than phenomenal product in the form of double rifles and single shot target rifles. This is an example of the quality of their work, with a tight, crisp action, fantastic figuring in its 4x walnut stock, and a distinctly old-world feel and appearance despite its modern American manufacture. The .450 Nitro Express cartridge is suitable for hunting the largest game, and was even used in WWI by the British to shoot through steel plate shields used by German snipers as well as being used to shoot down three German planes on one occasion. The wear on this rifle is quite light for a gun that appears to have been taken out in the field. This rifle is ready to go back and take more game and will take a prized place in any collection. You would be hard pressed to find another piece which so beautifully combines beauty and power as this B. Searcy double rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!