"404 Jeffery" wanted to purchase.

[Wheels]

I am in the market for a 404 Jeffery. This is something I have been thinking about for awhile but Gert's purchase of a beautiful one last month ( My .404 Jeffery is home. ) pushed me over the edge. Maybe it's my ego, "yea, I shoot a .4 caliber" but its small enough I won't flinch and cry like a baby! Maybe its just me being sentimental remembering the game warden carrying one. (The sweat, oil and dirt from his hands turning the stock a chocolate brown and the bluing worn down to a chrome finish) Yea, I know it doesn't have the ballistics of a 416 or the power of a 458. What ever the reason is, I'm in the market.

What better place to start looking than AH. There have to be a few hanging around old Commonwealth countries (or the other half of the world) open to a new home. If one is purchased outside of the U.S., I don't know about the laws to get it out of a country and into the U.S. but I am sure some of our friends here can help us out or point us in the right direction.

Must Haves:

Manufactured by Jeffery (not just a Mauser action)
No pitting in barrel or significant rust on metal
No split stocks (all other "normal wear and tear" I can probably live with. Less wear and tear is certainly better. If you dropped it on bricks and can persuade me it was a buffalos boss from a charge and have a really good story.... I might buy it.....literally.)
Rifling must not match bullets from any known crime scenes. :devil:I have never been to prison and don't think I will do well there. :crying: (With a 404 there is a great chance of a pass through, hence if you are sure there are no bullets in a police station somewhere you are okay):thumb:

Wants:

Prefer earlier model but open to all. (There is a good chance I won't bite on an 1890's model though.)
Prefer action to not be tapped
Prefer everything to be original or close to it
Accurate (Rifling must not be shot out but can be worn a bit)
I prefer paying in Zim dollars (I have a few hundred trillion left) but am open to other types of currency if you wish.
Prefer it to not be so expensive it costs me my left nut (yea I know its a surprise but I still use it)

Getting older and more senile I reserve the right to change my mind on any of the above requirements. If any of you have one and are interested in selling or have a friend who is interested in selling, feel free to post or pm me. Pics will be necessary at some point. Try not to take to much advantage of a senile ole goober.

Have a great day!

 

[enysse]

Good luck on your search! I hope you find your dream gun!

 

[sestoppelman]

A rifle as you describe will be many thousands of US dollars. Good luck on the search, its at least half the fun!

 

[FerRGarza]

if you don't find one on the forum, try some online gun auction websites (gun broker, auction arms)..maybe some luck as well.

 

[enysse]

A rifle as you describe will be many thousands of US dollars. Good luck on the search, its at least half the fun!

I think it will be the quest for the holy grail. You first have to find someone who will let it go for less than an arm and a leg.
It's a noble search.

 

[FerRGarza]

I think it will be the quest for the holy grail. You first have to find someone who will let it go for less than an arm and a leg.
It's a noble search.

yup. in those conditions probably a gun collector and like Enysse said, hopefully he will let it go for less than an arm and a leg.
If i come across one ill let you know. Let us know when you find it! would like to see the rifle as well

 

[Wheels]

Thanks for the help and well wishes guys.

I have done some internet searches and found two in the U.S. Champlin has a great one for sale (pre WWI, Lyman peep sites) for $8,900 and there is another for sale on Gunsamerica for $9500. My "advisor" tells me they are both overpriced to the U.S. market by $2 and $4k. They are overpriced to me by more than that. I don't have a set price. Would I like a great deal, you bet, but I am willing to make a fair deal if it is affordable for me.

Hopefully I am not tilting at windmills. If I find one I will certainly post pictures here.

 

[DOC-404]

Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt. That's why I had so much fun with this post http://www.africahunting.com/375-up/7684-404-jeffery-ph's-point-view.html I couldn't afford the 'genuine' one I did find, so I settled for one of these CZ-USA -> Magnum Express Rifle and never looked back. Get yourself one, send it to me for a season, and I'll put the boss marks on it and take the bluing off the barrel for you..no charge ! :biggrin2:

 

[spike.t]

Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt. That's why I had so much fun with this post http://www.africahunting.com/375-up/7684-404-jeffery-ph's-point-view.html I couldn't afford the 'genuine' one I did find, so I settled for one of these CZ-USA -> Magnum Express Rifle and never looked back. Get yourself one, send it to me for a season, and I'll put the boss marks on it and take the bluing off the barrel for you..no charge ! :biggrin2:

Doc such self sacrifice is very commendable :biggrin2::clap::tongue:

 

[Buff-Buster]

Doc such self sacrifice is very commendable :biggrin2::clap::tongue:

I almost teared up reading Doc's post. Your right Spike...such sacrifice! I'm thinking SCI Humanatarian of the Year Award or better yet, maybe a Nobel Peace Prize!!:first:

 

[DOC-404]

SCI Humanatarian of the Year Award or better yet, maybe a Nobel Peace Prize

..aaaww jeez ! c'mon now you guys.. :blush:

 

[Wheels]

Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt. That's why I had so much fun with this post http://www.africahunting.com/375-up/7684-404-jeffery-ph's-point-view.html I couldn't afford the 'genuine' one I did find, so I settled for one of these CZ-USA -> Magnum Express Rifle and never looked back. Get yourself one, send it to me for a season, and I'll put the boss marks on it and take the bluing off the barrel for you..no charge ! :biggrin2:

Docman, Thanks for the links. I have read "404 Jeffery a PH's point of view" somewhere before and didn't realize it was you who wrote it. I am just trying make a good first impression on my PH. Maybe fool him for a bit before the facade wears off.

As has been mentioned by Spike.t and Buff-Buster, it is kind of you to offer to break in a new CZ for me.

Are there very many 404's Jeffery's still floating around southern Africa? I guess from your post they are substantially higher than the CZ's. Thanks for the input.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt. That's why I had so much fun with this post http://www.africahunting.com/375-up/7684-404-jeffery-ph's-point-view.html I couldn't afford the 'genuine' one I did find, so I settled for one of these CZ-USA -> Magnum Express Rifle and never looked back. Get yourself one, send it to me for a season, and I'll put the boss marks on it and take the bluing off the barrel for you..no charge ! :biggrin2:

Doc such self sacrifice is very commendable :biggrin2::clap::tongue:

I almost teared up reading Doc's post. Your right Spike...such sacrifice! I'm thinking SCI Humanatarian of the Year Award or better yet, maybe a Nobel Peace Prize!!:first:

:rofl: Hey DOC I'm dusting my Black Tie off for this one, wouldn't miss it for the world. :hail:

 

[spike.t]

I almost teared up reading Doc's post. Your right Spike...such sacrifice! I'm thinking SCI Humanatarian of the Year Award or better yet, maybe a Nobel Peace Prize!!:first:

i think with Docs resume humanitarian and peace awards are not too likely...shame because i would have enjoyed watching him dressed in a penguin suit :biggrin2::beer:

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Wheels
Since you are from abroad (not from South Africa) it is likely that you will pay a lot less for a rifle build in South Africa hence the currency difference between our country and America or England . Sabi Guns in Nelspruit Mpumalanga , South Africa can custom build you one for about R30 000 South African rands, a friend of mine took that road. Contact Rosenthal Arms, Cape Town/Windhoek Namibia , maybe they can assist you, Classic Arms Witbank , Mpumalanga ,South Africa has a .404 Jeffery as well.

I am of the opinion the requirements set by you regarding the specific .404 Jeffery is maybe not realistic, if you can get a .404 Jeffery, take it as is, they normally are in reasonable condition since not many hunters can afford a safari anymore, so the owner will sell it since he is to old to hunt anymore (my scenario reason how I got my .404 Jeffery) or he just don`t use it anymore and it is standing in his rifle safe taking other more practical rifle`s place.

But the only way you will get one is to build one or surf the many rifle forums and auctions... if you do not try you will not get one, they are there, you need to find its owner and negotiate...

 

[Wheels]

Gert,

Thanks for the information and for thinking of me. I think I will try to keep looking for "Jeffery" instead of having a Mauser build. I will check with Rosenthal and Classic, thank you.

My requirements may be to specific. I am open to most anyone who has a 404 Jeffery to sell. The good news is I don't have to buy one tomorrow. I am checking websites weekly and have been for a few months. There may be other websites I am not familiar with though. The pursuit is part of the fun. One day hopefully I will find my "holly grail". When I do I will certainly post pictures. The reason for posting is the possibility that one of our fellow AH members will come across one and think of me.

All the best

 

[Bobpuckett]

Hey Wheels take a look at this sight they've got a pretty good list of 404s Guns International, Used Guns For Sale Online, Antique Guns, Collectible Firearms

 

[Wheels]

Hey Wheels take a look at this sight they've got a pretty good list of 404s Guns International, Used Guns For Sale Online, Antique Guns, Collectible Firearms

Bob, I am familiar with the site. It is probably the best out there that I have found for what I am trying to do. I am hoping to find something for a little less than some of these. Maybe I am dreaming or will have to lower my standards a little. Thanks for thinking of me. All the best.

 

[Buff-Buster]

Wheels - Not sure what your budget is, but here is an option to check out. Really nice rifles and you can get one chambered in the .404 Jeffery. Good luck on your quest!

Rifles

 

[Wheels]

Wheels - Not sure what your budget is, but here is an option to check out. Really nice rifles and you can get one chambered in the .404 Jeffery. Good luck on your quest!

Rifles

Buff-Buster, Montana does a great job on rifles from what I hear. What I am looking for is a 404 Jeffery that was made by Jeffery. There are a few still out there. The good news is I don't have to buy one tomorrow. So I hope to hold out for one of those. Thanks for thinking of me and for the help!