Thomas Turner .577/500 BPE? Back-Action Double Rifle, 1860s-1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3070
LSB#: 210906MB07
Make: Thomas Turner
Model: Double Rifle
Serial Number: 2287
Year of Manufacture: 1860s-1890
Caliber: We believe that the barrels are chambered for .577/500 Black Powder Express, but the chambers should be cast to confirm prior to firing.
Action Type: Back-Action External Hammer Under-Lever Double Rifle with Extractor and Hammer Safeties
Markings: The top of the left barrel is marked “THOMAS TURNER”, the right “FISHER STREET BIRMINGHAM”. The bottom of the left barrel marked “2287”. Each barrel flat is marked “39” and with British proof marks. The bottom of the rib’s doll’s head extension is marked “PATENT / No 90” and “WR”. The forend iron is marked “2287”. Each side of the water table is marked “2287” and with British proofs. The guard is marked “2287”. Each lockplate is marked “THOMAS TURNER”. The water table is marked “22 87” with a tower trademark in the middle and with British proof marks. The bottom tang is marked “No 2287”.
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in-line dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel’s solid rib. The rear sight assembly has a fixed “V”-notch which is wide and shallow, with a triangular platinum aiming reference. In front of this is a taller folding “V”-notched leaf with a vertical platinum line beneath the notch. The top of the rib is finely serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with wedge-secured splinter forend, horn capped pistol grip, straight comb, smooth steel buttplate, inlaid steel nosecap, initial plate and sling eyelet in the belly (the other eyelet is mounted to the barrel rib in front of the forend). The stocks have minor handling wear with a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a couple of minor cracks at the toe. The checkering is well defined and appears to have been re-cut when the wood was refinished. The LOP measures 14 1/2″ and 13 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The cast is about neutral. The plate has scattered light surface erosion and discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: The receiver’s finish appears original, the barrels show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bores with a few spots of minor pitting.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 45% of its metal finish. The barrels have finish wear scattered throughout with the worn areas showing old cold blue treatment. There is a light scrape on the right barrel above the sling eyelet with some lighter scuffing on the left opposite this. The barrels have a few other scattered light marks. There is some case color remaining in protected areas such as around the hammers on the lockplate, the bottom of the receiver where it is covered by the lever when the action is closed, the top of the lever, and the water table. Other areas of the case colored parts have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some light erosion on the standing breech and minor erosion on the guard. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some show light wear, but are legible. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
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: Most frequently chambered for potent cartridges and giving the user an extremely fast and reliable follow-up shot, double rifles have long been considered the quintessential gun for safaris and dangerous game. For centuries now, the best double rifles have come from England. This example is a Thomas Turner rifle which we believe is chambered for the .577/500 BPE cartridge, though we don’t have an example in our reference collection to test fit and the chambers should be cast to confirm. Thomas was a well-respected gunmaker who worked in Birmingham and later London, with a career that spanned the greater part of the 19th century and continued into the very early 20th century. This rifle has external hammers as well as safeties, not particularly common on double rifles. The fit and finish is nice, the action is tight, the gun is in quite nice shape for a gun which is at least 130 years old. The stocks have also been refinished and their checkering re-cut, so they look great. Whether you’re looking to go on Safari or just appreciate a finely made double rifle, this is a great one to add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!