Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters A .577 with Great History - a Rare find

Hello All,

Since many of you enjoy reading about rifles with "stories", I've posted this information about a Double Rifle that I acquired in late 2013. I love rifles with stories, and I really enjoy researching them.

Back in 2013 while I was searching high and low for a 577 BPE to add to my collection, I ran across a "story" from early in 2001. It was about a rifle that had all the things that everyone wants in a fine double rifle. I call them the "Lucky Seven". Here they are, not neccessarily in any order.

First, a very fine World renown Maker.

Second, a document from the World renown Maker that substantiates the original specifications.

Third, a Famous Owner.

Forth, a document from the World renown Maker that it was shipped directly to the Famous Owner.

Fifth, a documented history of use by the Famous Owner.

Sixth, a book written by the Famous Owner giving an account of the rifle's use.

Seventh, a picture in the book showing the Famous Owner holding the Double rifle.

The rifle I found is a John Dickson double rifle in 577 caliber.













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Per the original hand written John Dickson ledger, it was originally built in 1868 with the following specifications:



Since the original ledger enty is written in quill pen and hard to read, I've translated it below.



What wonderful information!

But, it is no longer a 12-bore, it is now a .577 caliber. This is unusual. However, the Barrels are marked "577EX" and "AH7186".



As I have learned, "AH" with a number, typically references Alex Henry, and the rifling in the barrels of this rifle, is Alex Henry type. A call to Dickson and McNaughton in Scotland with a request to search the Alex Henry ledger indicated that Ledger serial numbers stopped well before the AH7186 number. But, the Ledger also contained some unregistered numbers for after-market work. And there, the number 7186 was listed. It read:



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And again, since the original ledger enty is written in quill pen and hard to read, I've translated it.



This 577 double rifle is in the "rare" caliber 20-.577. This was a proprietary cartridge designed by the well known Scottish firm of Alex Henry. It is a 2 3/4" 20-gauge brass shotgun cartridge that is necked down to accept a .577 bullet.



Although I was originally looking for a .577 BPE, (black powder express) this rifle is actually a true "Nitro Express" being proved for 70 grains of "rifleite" which is an early form of cordite. This is the same powder charge as the standard .577 NE. These barrels were never intended for black powder.

And the Alexander Henry Ledger documents that this rifle was shipped to Captain M. McNeill.

Malcolm McNeill was born on January 30, 1866, the son of Lt-Col A.C. McNeill. In 1885, when he was only 19, he went into the British army. He served in several African campaigns and also in World War One. McNeill won several medals and awards during his Military Service.




Unfortunately, Capt. McNeill died in France on June 3, 1917 during WWI. He is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France.



During his Military career, McNeill was also a big game hunter. Many of his hunting trophies are displayed in a museum in his home town of Oban, Scotland.

In addition, he also authored a book about his Military life and his hunting trips in Somaliland. The book is entitled, "In Pursuit of the Mad Mullah--Service and Sport in the Somali Protectorate." (printed 1902). In the book Captain McNeill tells of being sent to Africa's Somaliland. Before going to Africa in November of 1900, he purchased the Dickson / Henry so he would have an adequate big game hunting rifle.

The front plate in the book has a photograph of the McNeill sitting with this 20-.577 cradled in his arms.



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In the book we have Capt. Malcolm McNeill himself, talking directly to us, telling of his using this rifle during his adventures with it in Africa. He tells how he killed 3 man-eating Lions, 2 with this exact rifle.



When you read, his writing is just like he was talking to you and telling you his story. You can almost hear him speaking to you "out loud" in your mind.



What an adventure it must have been in 1901. State-of-the-art hunting on the backs of Camels.





In the book, McNeill tells of hearing about 4 lions that were attacking a nearby village, and his taking a few days off his Military service to pursue them. He soon found the remains of a man and two camels in the newly deserted village.

"... I had with me a 12-bore paradox, shooting 4 drachms--just the weapon for night work. ... my .577 had gone on with my camels. ..."

It happens that McNeill's 20-.577 was packed away on camels some hours away, so he set-out with his 12-bore paradox double. With it he shot the first lion. It measured 8' 4" long from nose to tip of tail.

Some time later, his camels arrived bringing him the 20-.577 Dickson/Henry. With it, he went after the other 3 lions. Quoting from page 53;

"... I also had my .577 by now, and felt quite prepared to meet anything that might turn up. ..."

McNeill continued to pursue the other 3 lions and soon came upon the second. Quoting from page 57 and 58;

"... the lion was about 130 yards distant. ..." "... I immediately knelt down and fired with my .577, taking him just in front of the shoulder. On receiving the shot he pulled up at once, nearly falling as he did so, and the left barrel knocked him clean over. He managed to crawl under a small tree about 2 or 3 yards off and to get his head round facing me. I put in another shot for safety's sake when I got to about 80 yards from him, but he did not really require it--either of the first two would have killed him. This lion was the biggest of the three I got that day, 8 feet, 10 1 /2 inches as he lay--a big, powerfully made beast, but with no mane. ..."

McNeill then started after the last two lions. They were discovered in heavy cover. Since earlier one of natives had been bitten while pursuing the second lion, McNeill opted to start a grass fire to drive them out of the cover, rather than going in after them. Quoting from page 58 and 59;

"... After some difficulty we got it fairly alight, and after it was about two-thirds burnt, out he came. He stood at the edge of the fire about 80 yards from me, broadside on, and I at once gave him the .577 in the left shoulder. On receiving the shot he turned round and charged straight back through the fire (which was about 18 or 20 yards off), burning his whiskers and singeing himself generally, but not very badly. On getting through the flames he stood on his hind legs, pawing the air, and then fell over on his side--dead. ..."

The forth lion was a female, and McNeill's hunting ethics, dictated him not to pursue her.

So, 3 out of 4 lions in an afternoon's vacation from Duty, 2 shot with my 20-.577 Dickson/Henry. One shot at 130 yards, and the other at 80 yards.

Here is a reference to Capt. Malcolm McNeill Military Service from the London Gazette. This is a very interesting bio indeed.




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Testifying to his Military Battles is this very interesting reference to Capt. Malcolm McNeill. This was a sketch that was published on October 12, 1901, in a Newspaper called the GRAPHIC. (page 485)

It shows Captain McNeill directing his forces in a Battle (detailed in his book) Note the several Martini rifles in addition to the Maxim Machine Gun. McNeill had 2 maxims under his command, a 303, and a 450 cal.

Although Capt. McNeill is shown holding a Martini rifle, I'm sure his 20-.577 was not far away.

The caption reads; "The Expedition Against The Mad Mullah: The Attack On Captain McNeill's Zariba"



I'll continue to research this rifle and p Perhaps someday I'll find some interesting information about James Robertson, the first owner who ordered it from Dickson in 1868 as a 12 bore double rifle.

And, I intend to shoot it ... a lot.

P.S.

And if all this History wasn't enough, here's another treat. This Holland & Holland Royal Grade Double Grade was presented to President Teddy Roosevelt. It is on display in the Frazier Museum in Louisville, KY.

Look who's on the list of donors. He's the 12th one down. None-other than our "Captain M. McNeill." The text is from page 28 of Teddy Roosevelt's book; "African Game Trails."

How cool is that?




I really like ths rifle .... A LOT!! I enjoy handling it almost as much as shooting it.

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OFF THE SCALE COOL, Buckstix! Have you shot it yet, if so what charge and how does it regulate for you? The book and provenance are AWESOME!. Anyway, if you've shot it, let us know and maybe even post some targets! Congratulations sir! Love this! j

And, here's an update,

When I received the rifle, there was accompanying loading data that was dangerously "over-loaded" and continued use these loads would have harmed the rifle. However, with some scientific pressure testing I was able to find the rifle's "sweet-spot" as can be seen by my target below. Many people unwittingly abuse these old Vintage Beauties needlessly thinking they must try to wring-out every last foot-per-second, rather than doing diligence to obtain factual period data and doing pressure testing to duplicate period loadings.

Wow, hell of a group! What velocities are you getting?

Amazing stuff. Thanks for sharing.

We're definitely going to want some details of your shooting results.

What are you using for brass?

Sounds like he was a hell of a man, and what a beautiful find, congratulations.

Wonderful post !

GTC

Great post, thanks for sharing! Amazing rifle and story with the documentation to prove it all.

What is great about this, is that Captain McNell is remembered and a much loved rifle, is being shot and maybe hunted with, all most 100 years since his death!

Great find and very interesting story. Capt. McNeill would be glad to know his rifle is in good hands.

Just incredible on all points. Beyond that, words fail me.

Absolutely Capital!!!!

Thank you for the story and accompanying photos!!!!

Most enjoyable read!!!!!

Goethe was right. Life is truly the the infancy of our immortality! Thank you for keeping the spirit of the good Captain alive!

Wow!

That gun and story are off the charts cool...

I just love that kinda stuff.

Thanks for sharing.

DF

Extremely interesting! Thanks for sharing. (Although it probably is wrong to steal space on the 'fire's server that could be devoted to more useless crap about the election. )

Outstanding; thanks for sharing!

FANTASTIC! Thanks for sharing this Great Treasure with us.