Butch Searcy & Co. .470 Nitro Express & .45-70 Gov’t Sidelock Double Rifle
SOLD FOR: $14802
LSB#: 190403TA10
Make: Butch Searcy & Co.
Model: Sidelock Double Rifle
Serial Number: BL-355
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 2010
Caliber: Barrel sets are included chambered for .470 Nitro Express and .45-70 Government
Action Type: Sidelock, Side by Side, Dual Trigger, Double Rifle with Ejectors & Cocking Indicators
Markings: The top of each barrel set’s quarter rib is marked “B. SEARCY & CO. BORON CA”, the top of the left barrels are marked “470 NITRO EXPRESS” and “45-70”, respectively. The bottom of each left barrel and the left of the water table are each marked “BL-355”. The receiver has foliate scroll engraving with the motif continued onto the guard, forend irons, forend latches and the rears of the ribs. There is a rhino engraving on the bottom of the receiver.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics:
.470 Nitro Barrel Set: The front sight is a blade with a removable white-bead insert (only the installed bead is included) in-line dovetailed and screw-set to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the rib. The rear sight is an express-style sight with a fixed “V”-notch and a folding leaf with no notch, each with a vertical line reference. The rear sight assembly is dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the quarter-rib.
.45-70 Barrel Set: The front sight is a brass-beaded blade in-line dovetailed and screw-set to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the rib. The rear sight is an express-style sight with a fixed “V”-notch with a vertical line reference. The rear sight assembly is dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the quarter-rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered deluxe walnut with splinter forends, blued steel capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece, black rubber Pachmayr buttpad, and a sling stud in the belly (the other studs are mounted to the bottoms of the barrel ribs forward of the forends). The stocks have only a few scattered minor nicks and handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 5/8″ and 13 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 13 3/4″ and 12 3/4″ to the back of the wood. The stock is cast off slightly. The pad is still supple with minor wear. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition:
.470 Nitro Express: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores, but there are tool marks across the lands of the left bore about 3-4″ from the muzzle.
.45-70: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only a few scattered minor marks. The action shows faint operational wear. There are areas of the barrels which show a plum hue. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The barrels lock up with no play with each barrel set. 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: This rifle comes in an aluminum hard-sided case fit for the stocked action and both barrel sets.
Our Assessment: Wow, just wow! This is a gorgeous sidelock double rifle custom made by Butch Searcy & Co. while at their original location in Boron, California. 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 deluxe walnut stocks, and a distinctly old-world feel and appearance despite its modern American manufacture.
The gun comes with two barrel sets, one chambered for the .470 Nitro Express cartridge and the other for the more economical .45-70 Government. This provides you with options suitable for hunting the largest game on safari in Africa as well as a more common American cartridge which can be had in a variety of loadings suitable for most larger North American game. The wear on this rifle is quite light and it seems unlikely that this rifle has made its first trip into the field, though it has likely been to the range once or twice. This rifle is ready to go out on safari or in the field stateside and will take a prized place in any collection. You would be hard pressed to find another piece which so handily combines beauty and power as this B. Searcy double rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!
