D & J FRASER 500 BPE SINGLE SHOT TAKEDOWN EXPRESS RIFLE.

D & J FRASER 500 BPE SINGLE SHOT TAKEDOWN EXPRESS RIFLE. SN 1374. (ca 1885) Cal. .500 BPE. Very few Fraser rifles were made in large caliber. Jonathan Kirton in his book THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECH LOADING RIFLE FROM 1865 lists only three known examples in .500. This rifle would make a 4th. It is fitted with 26″ round bbl with full length matted rib which is fitted with one standing, one folding express rear sight marked for 100 and 200 yards. Small silver bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into rib. Fraser’s scope mounting dovetails are also fitted. Unmatted portion of bbl is engraved “D. & J. Fraser” “4 LEITH St. TERRACE.” and “Edinburgh”. Transitional Fraser side lever falling block action (patent use no. 160) is fitted with removable forend and drift pin to remove bbl. It also has early style sliding safety in front of trigger, and is possibly the earliest known use of serrated side lever lock. Action is engraved with nearly full coverage of exceptionally well cut medium shaded scroll with scrolled border. SN is engraved amongst scroll on trigger guard bow, which is integral with floorplate. Very finely marbled, and slightly figured, dark, European walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over point pattern checkered horn buttplate. Pistol grip cap is also of horn. Stock features classic 20 LPI point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a thin beaded shadow line right hand cheekpiece. Matching forend has Deeley release with horn tip with large groove for sling thong in classic Edinburgh style. Drop at heel: Approx 2-11/16″, drop at comb: Approx 1-13/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP 14-3/8″. Also included are RCBS reloading dies in .500 nitro, along with a coffee can full of bell 500 nitro brass and some cast bullets. CONDITION: Excellent, as mostly refinished. Bbl retains nearly all of an orig quality re-black, matting on bbl softened, engraving slightly washed. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color, in protected areas, but is mostly a light brownish gray. Stock retains nearly all of a fine rubbed oil finish over numerous minor marks, sharp edges preserved. Checkering is slightly worn, borders slightly filled in, and checkering has not been re-cut. However, checkering of buttplate has been re-cut. Metford rifled bore is excellent, bright and shiny, with no visible imperfections. Action is crisp. Takedown pin is tight, will not drift out easily. Dies and brass are fine. A big bore classic. Only 410 Fraser single shots were made. 4-45062 MGM182 (5,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1226	$14,375.00	D & J FRASER 500 BPE SINGLE SHOT TAKEDOWN EXPRESS RIFLE. SN 1374. (ca 1885) Cal. .500 BPE. Very few Fraser rifles were made in large caliber. Jonathan Kirton in his book THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECH LOADING RIFLE FROM 1865 lists only three known examples in .500. This rifle would make a 4th. It is fitted with 26″ round bbl with full length matted rib which is fitted with one standing, one folding express rear sight marked for 100 and 200 yards. Small silver bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into rib. Fraser’s scope mounting dovetails are also fitted. Unmatted portion of bbl is engraved “D. & J. Fraser” “4 LEITH St. TERRACE.” and “Edinburgh”. Transitional Fraser side lever falling block action (patent use no. 160) is fitted with removable forend and drift pin to remove bbl. It also has early style sliding safety in front of trigger, and is possibly the earliest known use of serrated side lever lock. Action is engraved with nearly full coverage of exceptionally well cut medium shaded scroll with scrolled border. SN is engraved amongst scroll on trigger guard bow, which is integral with floorplate. Very finely marbled, and slightly figured, dark, European walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over point pattern checkered horn buttplate. Pistol grip cap is also of horn. Stock features classic 20 LPI point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a thin beaded shadow line right hand cheekpiece. Matching forend has Deeley release with horn tip with large groove for sling thong in classic Edinburgh style. Drop at heel: Approx 2-11/16″, drop at comb: Approx 1-13/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP 14-3/8″. Also included are RCBS reloading dies in .500 nitro, along with a coffee can full of bell 500 nitro brass and some cast bullets. CONDITION: Excellent, as mostly refinished. Bbl retains nearly all of an orig quality re-black, matting on bbl softened, engraving slightly washed. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color, in protected areas, but is mostly a light brownish gray. Stock retains nearly all of a fine rubbed oil finish over numerous minor marks, sharp edges preserved. Checkering is slightly worn, borders slightly filled in, and checkering has not been re-cut. However, checkering of buttplate has been re-cut. Metford rifled bore is excellent, bright and shiny, with no visible imperfections. Action is crisp. Takedown pin is tight, will not drift out easily. Dies and brass are fine. A big bore classic. Only 410 Fraser single shots were made. 4-45062 MGM182 (5,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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