Butch Searcy Sturgis Classic Model 450/400 3″ Nitro Express Double Rifle
SOLD FOR: $12082
LSB#: 230322RH007
Make: Butch Searcy & Co.
Model: Classic
Serial Number: C-019X
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 2009
Caliber: 450/400 3″ Nitro Express
Action Type: Boxlock, Side by Side, Dual Trigger, Double Rifle with Ejectors
Markings: The top of the quarter-rib is marked “B. SEARCH & CO STURGIS, SD. U.S.A.”. The top of the left barrel is marked “450 400 3″ NITRO-EXPRESS”, the bottom of the right barrel is marked “C-019X”. The water table is marked “C-019X”. Each side of the receiver has “B. SEARCY & CO.” in gold. The receiver has scroll engraving with motif on the lever, guard, the exposed portions of the forend iron and latch, and the rear of the rib.
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a removable brass beaded blade in-line dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the rib. The rear sight is a “V”-notch dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the quarter rib with a vertical white line aiming reference. The rib is cut for the included 1″ Talley QD rings.
Weight: 10 lb., 3.6 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered deluxe walnut with splinter forend, blued steel capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece, black rubber Pachmayr Old English buttpad, and a sling stud in the belly (the other stud is mounted to the bottom of the barrel rib forward of the forend). The stocks have a few scattered minor marks, most notable at the left-rear of the forend where there is a short hairline crack. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures 15 3/8″ and 14 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 14 1/2″ and 13 1/2″ 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 about Excellent 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. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 93% of its metal finish. Most of the balance is wear on the left barrel in front of the forend. The right barrel has very faint wear at the same location. The rib has minor wear from installation/removal of the rings. The action shows faint operational wear. The markings are clear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly including ejectors. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. 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, forend and barrels with a B. Searcy & Co. label on the interior of the lid. Also included are shooting and care instructions, load data from the barrels’ regulation, and the regulation target.
Our Assessment: Wow, just wow! This is a gorgeous double rifle custom made by Butch Searcy & Co. at their new location in Sturgis, South Dakota. Butch Searcy and his crew started off in Born California and have for years created nothing less than phenomenal product in the form of double rifles, bolt action rifles and single shot stalking 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 is chambered for the 450/400 3″ Nitro Express cartridge, also known as the .400 Jeffery Nitro Express. A long-time standard for hunting in both Africa and India, it packs a punch and with proper placement will put down just about anything, and fast! The wear on this rifle is quite light, though there is a patch on the left barrel, 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
