An unusual 24ga W. Collath Double Rifle

[buckstix]

An unusual 24ga W. Collath Double Rifle

I am always attracted to unusual and unique double rifles, and this one sure fits the bill. This Collath, like the Dreyse 11mm I posted earlier, also comes from Europe. The high grade features of this Collath double rifle would indicates it must have been made for a customer that could afford the very best.

I will have this double rifle in hand some time next week and I will post additional pictures then. In the mean time, the following pictures came from the seller's post. Searching the internet shows several Collath SxS shotguns and drillings, but this was the only double rifle found. The fact that its 24 gauge will make loading and regulation a challenge. The bore size of a 24 gauge shotgun is 0.579 inches in diameter. A paradox style bullet mold will be ordered for 24 gauge, and a regulating load will be developed.

This Collath's function is is very interesting. When the under-lever beneath the forearm is rotated, a cam pulls the barrel assembly forward. From this forward position, the barrels can be tipped down for loading, just like a conventional break-action double.
(like this link shows) https://i697.photobucket.com/a...sidejoseDSCN0777.jpg

Any additional information about W. Collath, and your comments, are most welcome.

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/COLLATH-00.jpg

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

A clever lockup mechanism, very safe.

 

[AZDAVE]

I believe you are correct that it was built for someone with an exacting eye and had the money to pay for it. The deep relief engraving is exceptionally well executed. Congrats on its acquisition.

 

[375er]

I believe their description is not quite accurate. I have W. Collath drilling and the trigger guard and underlever are made of buffalo horn not ebony as stated. Yours maybe different but I have my doubts. Enjoy, very well made firearms.

 

[buckstix]

Yes, I knew that, but didn't want to inform the seller because he likely would have increased the price.

 

[375er]

As the old saying goes "he who speaks first loses"!!!

 

[93marlin]

@buckstix that little double is my dream gun.
Stunning is the only word that came to my mind....

 

[375er]

What will you use for casings?

 

[buckstix]

What will you use for casings?

Magtech 24ga brass and/or 577 Snider brass. I have lots of each.

 

[rookhawk]

Looks like a "buck and ball" configuration externally, but with both barrels being rifled its a paradox of sorts. (are they full length rifled with lands and grooves?)

This is the first 24 bore German gun I've seen, all the rest being Belgian made or retailed for the Belgian and French market.

I'll be interested to hear how it shoots.

 

[rookhawk]

P.S. - I've worked on a few collaths over the years, the bottom lever is extremely fragile. I recommend you take it off, get out some 800 grit sandpaper, and a couple bottles of crazy glue liquid. (any cyano-acrylate glue). Put the glue in all the cracks, lightly sand to lodge the dust into the voids, repeat, repeat, repeat. At the end, polish the lever. It will be a seamless repair and will add strength to prevent the horn from splitting which it is preparing to do.

 

[WAB]

Beautiful rifle. What class of game would a 24 ga double have been intended for?

 

[Troubleshooter]

I believe their description is not quite accurate. I have W. Collath drilling and the trigger guard and underlever are made of buffalo horn not ebony as stated.

Agreed. Both the trigger-guard and the under-lever appear to be horn. You won't know for certain until you have it in-hand, but I would not be surprised at all. It's a very beautiful rifle.

 

[Red Leg]

Beautiful rifle. What class of game would a 24 ga double have been intended for?

It would have been very similar in use to the 20 bore Paradox that the English created soon after this rifle. As a general purpose European game rifle, with right bullet, it would have been a good choice for boar or red stag. But a 20 generally would have been considered a fairly light bore at the time which is reflected in the roe deer with which it is engraved.

 

[Troubleshooter]

As a general purpose European game rifle, it would have been an excellent choice for boar or red stag or even the roe deer with which it is engraved.

Here we just color-code things for their intended use. Leave it to the Germans to actually engrave the rifle with those animals for which it is suitable!

 

[buckstix]

Agreed. Both the trigger-guard and the under-lever appear to be horn. You won't know for certain until you have it in-hand, but I would not be surprised at all. It's a very beautiful rifle.

I have many German and Austian guns, and yes, for sure its horn.

Beautiful rifle. What class of game would a 24 ga double have been intended for?

It shoots a .620 dia bullet of about 500 grains - so about the same as a 12ga 1-1/4oz slug

Looks like a "buck and ball" configuration externally, but with both barrels being rifled its a paradox of sorts. (are they full length rifled with lands and grooves?)

This is the first 24 bore German gun I've seen, all the rest being Belgian made or retailed for the Belgian and French market.

I'll be interested to hear how it shoots.

It has full length rifling in both barrels.

 

[rookhawk]

Beautiful rifle. What class of game would a 24 ga double have been intended for?

It would be perfect for roebuck and probably okay for “Park Deer” as they called them. I think that was estate deer like fallow deer.

 

[cajunchefray]

It would be perfect for roebuck and probably okay for “Park Deer” as they called them. I think that was estate deer like fallow deer.

These European rifled gauge doubles, fascinate me.
Let us know how it shoots.

 

[buckstix]

Hello ... I got the double rifle in hand today. Its in spectacular condition. But, now I'm really confused as to the caliber. I guess the "CAL 3 24" marking must stand for 3" 24 gauge. But the chamber cast is identical to 600 NE, except with a thinner and smaller dia rim. Perhaps a 600 bpe?

any suggestions?

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/24ga-cast-000.jpg