John Lyell Aberdeen .500 BPE? Back-Action Double Rifle, 1860s-1879 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2685

LSB#: 210906MB01

Make: John Lyell

Model: Double Rifle

Serial Number: 1469

Year of Manufacture: 1860s-1879

Caliber: We believe that the barrels are chambered for .500 Black Powder Express 3″, 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 marking on the top of the barrel rib is mostly worn away, but appears to have been “JOHN LYELL UNION STREET ABERDEEN”. The bottom of each barrel marked “1469”. Each barrel flat is marked “39” and with British proof marks. The forend iron is marked “1469”. Each side of the water table is marked “1469” and with British proofs. Each lockplate is marked “JOHN LYELL”. The guard has a faded serial marking, but it does appear to have been “1469”. The lockplates, receiver, lever and guard have decorative engraving.

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 marked “100” with a vertical line aiming reference. In front of this is a taller folding “V”-notched leaf marked “200” with a vertical platinum line beneath the notch.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with wedge-secured splinter forend, straight wrist with curved guard, straight comb, smooth steel buttplate, inlaid steel nosecap, initial plate and sling swivel in the belly (the other swivel is mounted to the barrel rib in front of the forend). The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are patch-repairs in the top of the wrist to each side of the top tang. Checkering in the repaired areas indicates that the checkering was re-cut when the stock was repaired and refinished. There are a few small losses at edges, including one on each side of the forend toward the front. The LOP measures 14 3/8″ and 13 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The cast is about neutral. The plate has scattered light surface erosion under the finish with some light wear and scratching around the edges, most notable at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished and repaired Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Browned Damascus

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bores.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The barrels have handling wear on each side over the forend, some light wear near the muzzle, and a few light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The receiver and lockplates have strong blue finish with light erosion scattered under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus condition as refinished Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The left safety does not properly prevent the left hammer from falling. Otherwise, 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: This rifle comes in a Nizzoli leather-bound luggage case with a locking latch (key included). The case has scattered light storage wear.

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 Britain. This example is a Joyn Lyell rifle which we believe is chambered for the .500 BPE 3″ cartridge, though the chambers should be cast to confirm. Lyell was a Scottish gunmaker who worked in Aberdeen in the mid-late 19th Century. This rifle has external hammers as well as safeties, not particularly common on double rifles. The action is tight and the gun is in pretty nice shape for its age, having been refinished and its stock repaired. 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!