For sale, on consignment, a very nice example of the WJ Jeffery & Co Model 95 Farquharson action falling block single shot rifle in 450/400 3” Nitro Express.

William Jackman Jeffery commenced gun making on his own account as W.J. Jeffery and Company at King Street, St James in London in 1891.

The Jeffery name became synonymous with the largest Nitro Express calibres, built for the ultimate stopping power for those pursuing dangerous game. He created a variety of proprietary cartridges, including the mighty .600 NE, the .500 Jeffery and the .404 Jeffery, all of which are still regarded as the best in their field.

Jeffery established himself as a leading supplier of guns and rifles to discerning hunters and explorers throughout the British Empire - many of the early 20th century’s greatest sportsmen relied on their Jeffery rifles to make their mark and keep them safe. The famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett used his Jeffery double rifle to kill man-eating tigers and leopards in India, whilst ivory hunter C. Fletcher Jamieson used his special build .500 Jeffery to make a living hunting elephant in Africa.

John Farquharson was an inveterate poacher and law breaker, but it appears he was only convicted three times: poaching 93 grouse on 1884, trespass in pursuit of game in 1886, and shooting 22 grouse before the season opened in 1888. He died in 1893 of heart disease and dropsy.

Farquharson was born sometime between 1835 and 1840 at Daldhu, Perthshire, Scotland. A direct descendant of the Farquharsons of Braemar, he was gamekeeper to Lord Abercromby and then The Earl of Roseberry.

Farquharson was a fair shot himself – winning many prizes in rifle shooting competitions in Scotland, the Edinburgh Cup 1862, Championship of Scotland 1865, NRA Cup 1867 at Wimbledon, King of the Belgians' Championship Gold Medal and Elcho Shield (Northern Indian Rifle Association prize) in 1869, Duke of Cambridge's Prize 1878 at Wimbledon.

The "Hythe kneeling position" was used by all target shots around that time (changing later to the prone position used today), Farquharson was the first and most successful proponent of "Back Position" shooting which was undoubtedly developed for deerstalking on a sloping hillside.

In 1870 he patented an extractor for the Martini Rifle (No. 3178) and on 25 May 1872 his famous falling block action (No. 1592) for target and military rifles. The rights to manufacture the rifle were sold to George Gibbs/Gibbs and Pitt and Metford in 1872. Metford barrels were used, Gibbs & Pitt made the remainder, which is why the rifle was known as the Gibbs-Farquharson or Farquharson-Metford rifle.

Farquharson and Alexander Henry disagreed as to who invented the design, the matter went to Court and Farquharson won.

Manufactured in 1902, this Farquharson action rifle, in the excellent medium calibre, big game rifle this 450/400 3” Nitro Express, was used by our client’s father to take dangerous game in Africa.

Lock
Firm Farquharson falling block action
Fine floral engraving marked “WJ Jeffrey & Co 13 King Street St James” London
Right hand side safety lever
Folding peep sight

Stock
Well figured two-piece walnut [replacement] stock
Pistol grip with ebony cap
Walnut forend with ebony forend tip
Very good flat top chequer with mullered border
Length of pull 14.5” to centre – including Silvers recoil pad and ebonite spacer
Sling eye

Barrel
24” Krupp of Essen, Germany round blued steel barrel with Jeffrey taper
Three folding, island mounted platinum lined express sights marked 1, 2 & 3
Ramped bead – blade foresight – sight hood not present
Sling eye
Bright, clean bore with strong rifling
Birmingham Proof House marks “400 Ex” and “Cordite 55 gn Ball 400 gn Max”

This rifle presents in very good used, nicely refurbished condition, minor cosmetic storage and handling marks to metal and woodwork. Mechanically the rifle is excellent.

Price plus transfer and shipping to you licenced firearm dealer.

Inspection welcome at Andrew Hepner & Sons Fine Guns, Geelong, Victoria.