Farquharson 450/400

[TOBY458]

I recently posted a picture of my newly acquired Ruger No 1, 450/400 on another Africa hunting site, and some rude person had the audacity to put up a picture of his 450/400 single loader. Does he not know that I will now feel inferior from now on??? That is until I find me one of these beauties....
My God this is a beautiful rifle! Although it's merely a single barrel, it surpasses most double rifles in the looks department, and I would have to shoot something big and nasty with it....
I've always loved the looks of the Farquharson single shot rifles, and this one does not disappoint.
Do any of you own one similar to this?

 

[TOBY458]

Just found out this is a W J Jeffery rifle. Waiting for details as to whether it's an older rifle or recently manufactured.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Nice rifle.

 

[CM McKenzie]

Nice rifle.

Agree.

 

[flatwater bill]

No, I don't own such a rifle. I own a couple of Ruger No. 1's. If I did own such a rifle, I would not be able to afford a hunt in Africa. But, damn, it is sweet.......................thanks for posting....and making us jealous..........................FWB

 

[Tundra Tiger]

That is a mighty sexy looking rifle...

 

[PaulT]

Toby, if you like that styling of rifle check out Soroka rifles.

Classic Farquarson lines, redesigned action and exceptionally put together.

Glen Soroka was in New Zealand but i think he has relocated to the U.S.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Yes. Farquharson style is certainly beautiful, but put a similar upgraded stock on a Ruger No 1 and IMO it's a tie. This is a pinterest post I believe.

 

[Chukar]

Drool worthy...

My checking account will only allow #1's however.

 

[Opposite Pole]

I did own one such rifle - case coloured, scroll engraving, beautiful wood. That was last night. Then I woke up.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Here is a take down one, courterrey of pinterest. Indeed beautiful.

 

[TOBY458]

Toby, if you like that styling of rifle check out Soroka rifles.

Classic Farquarson lines, redesigned action and exceptionally put together.

Glen Soroka was in New Zealand but i think he has relocated to the U.S.

Thanks! I'll check them out.

 

[TOBY458]

Yes. Farquharson style is certainly beautiful, but put a similar upgraded stock on a Ruger No 1 and IMO it's a tie. This is a pinterest post I believe.

Yes those are very nice for sure. I guess the only problem is, even with the upgrades, it's still basically worth what a normal Ruger No1 is worth if you eventually tried to sell it. Still beautiful though!

 

[xausa]

I brought my Farquharson .450/.400 home from Kenya and had it rebarreled in .500 Alaskan, which is how it remained for decades. Finally I decided to let Steve Bertram restore it to the original caliber. What a transformation. A pitted, pock marked action became a thing of beauty, thanks to some careful restoration and tasteful engraving, something I'm really proud to own.

 

[TOBY458]

Toby, if you like that styling of rifle check out Soroka rifles.

Classic Farquarson lines, redesigned action and exceptionally put together.

Glen Soroka was in New Zealand but i think he has relocated to the U.S.

I looked at those. They start at $18,900.00. Looks like my Ruger No 1 may have to suffice!

 

[ssubwave]

W J Jeffery rifle. This look like an older Rifle to me. Would love to know if am wrong.

 

[Major Bonkers]

The Soroka rifles can be found here: https://www.sorokarifle.com

Rigby and Mayfair Engineering are currently working on newly manufactured Farquarson actions. Rigby says that the prototype rifle passed proof back in March: https://www.johnrigbyandco.com/rigby-workshop-march-2021/

No news as to whether it is the Gibbs-Farquharson or Farquharson-Woodward, the latter of which cocks on closing and is generally considered the better design.

I have a Dakota model 10, and am still astonished at its poor quality.

Holts have a Westley Richards .577 (3") takedown coming up for sale next week at an estimate of £3,000 - 5,000: https://auctions.holtsauctioneers.c...alelot=A0621++++730+&refno=++159692&saletype=

 

[Red Leg]

Yes those are very nice for sure. I guess the only problem is, even with the upgrades, it's still basically worth what a normal Ruger No1 is worth if you eventually tried to sell it. Still beautiful though!

You are correct. An upgraded No. 1 brings relatively little premium for all the investment made. My .300 H&H is an example.

I purchased the rifle, to which someone had added new English walnut stock, from Hendershots a decade ago for about what any other used No. 1 would sell. I had Turnbull case color the receiver, rib, grip cap and lever and traditionally rust blue the remainder. I think it looks about as English as a No. 1 can be pimped out to look. I would guess my personal investment in the rifle is around $1400, and I am sure the original owner spent a grand or more on that stock. Were I to sell it tomorrow, I would be lucky to get $250 over the price of an original lightly used No. 1 in the same caliber.

And I had a look at the Soroka as well - lovely rifle - but damn.

 

[TOBY458]

You are correct. An upgraded No. 1 brings relatively little premium for all the investment made. My .300 H&H is an example.

I purchased the rifle, to which someone had added new English walnut stock, from Hendershots a decade ago for about what any other used No. 1 would sell. I had Turnbull case color the receiver, rib, grip cap and lever and traditionally rust blue the remainder. I think it looks about as English as a No. 1 can be pimped out to look. I would guess my personal investment in the rifle is around $1400, and I am sure the original owner spent a grand or more on that stock. Were I to sell it tomorrow, I would be lucky to get $250 over the price of an original lightly used No. 1 in the same caliber.

And I had a look at the Soroka as well - lovely rifle - but damn.

Yes. I've been down that rabbit hole in the past with other guns. Custom upgrades are only good if you plan to keep it yourself.
On a similar note, I'm bidding on a Ruger No1 300 H&H at the moment. It's another case of, I bought 520 pieces of brass and a set of dies, before I bought a rifle so chambered! In my mind the 300 H&H is an obvious caliber choice for a single shot. That big, long, tapered case should extract under most any circumstance. And from all accounts it's just about the perfect balance of power and recoil in a magnum cartridge.

 

[TOBY458]

I brought my Farquharson .450/.400 home from Kenya and had it rebarreled in .500 Alaskan, which is how it remained for decades. Finally I decided to let Steve Bertram restore it to the original caliber. What a transformation. A pitted, pock marked action became a thing of beauty, thanks to some careful restoration and tasteful engraving, something I'm really proud to own.

View attachment 407181View attachment 407182

Very nice! How does it shoot?