Enclosed are a couple of images that members may find interesting of a 50 calibre park rifle that was used in the country estate parks for the culling of park deer. This gun I have restored and housed in a fitted case by the well know gun maker Benjamin Wood ward
Feltwad
Interesting but please tell us how do you know it's a "park" rifle and what are the differences betwixt a "park" rifle and an ordinary rife?
I'm not sure the name indicates other rifles are "not suitable".Interesting but please tell us how do you know it's a "park" rifle and what are the differences betwixt a "park" rifle and an ordinary rife?
I mean why would this rifle only be suitable in a "park" and an ordinary rifle not not suitable?
Dave, I don't understand. I will explain.I'm not sure the name indicates other rifles are "not suitable".
Perhaps the name indicates the first rifle is only suitable when you ride out in the carriage to the park, assemble it, and cull some deer, as it's very long so gives one a very precise sight plane, but it's very heavy so not suited for carry all day in a stalking hunt. While the second rifle would be handier in brush and in stalking all day ??
LD
Enclosed are images of it length
Feltwad
Keeping on the theme here's an English sporting rifle by Harvey of Exeter and Plymouth. The overall length of the rifle is 41”, with a barrel of 25.5” including breech plug. Bore size is about .52”, with 7 wide grooves and narrow lands. The rifle has a single set trigger, leaf rearsight and an ivory or bone foresight dovetailed into the barrel. The rifle bears Plymouth on the lock and likely dates from the 1840s.
David
Let's just settle something for our American and other readers. Here in UK a 'park' where the estate owner has a rifle like this could be anything up to around 4000-5000 acres, sometimes more. It's not a place where the Victorian public went to have picnics or ride the swings. Look up Zion Park to get some idea of what is entailed.
I own both rifles I posted pictures of but don’t shoot them (for now).Mr Minshall, do you own and shoot this fine-looking piece?
The rifles pictured pre-date the NRA by two decades... that’s not to say they may not still have been in use when the United Kingdom NRA was founded in 1859. Its aims included "the encouragement of Volunteer Rifle Corps and the promotion of rifle shooting throughout Great Britain." Their first rifle meeting was held on Wimbledon Common in 1860 and shooting was at mid and long range with Enfield rifles and small-bore rifles such as Whitworth. A running deer target was added in 1862 although I'm note sure what rifles were eligible for use.Ok so we're absolutely sure it was not used on the common also know as a park for target shooting by the founders and members of the then new British national rifle association?
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