GRIFNÉE engraved .470NE Double Rifle

THYS & SONS

Rifles

Category : C

Caliber : .470 NE 3¼"

 

A truly exceptional, high-end double rifle manufactured circa 1985 and featured in the original catalog of the Belgian manufacturer ALAR, a brand owned by Marcel THYS in Crisnée, Liège, Belgium.

The Anson & Deeley action is of a type specially forged for heavy-duty caliber, and in this case, for the .470 Nitro Express 3¼"[1]

The Purdey sliding bolt with hidden third-fastener, bushed firing pins, heavy-duty pin, H&H hammer ejectors, articulated front trigger and meticulous attention to detail in the action ensure trouble-free operation.

The 24 3/8" barrels feature an express quarter rib sporting a three-leaf, wide-V, rear sight regulated on the golden bead set on an elongated ramp front sight.

The whole finely anti-reflective "guilloche" engraved and gracefully inlaid with the Liège maker's mark in Old English script, "M. Thys & Sons - Belgium".

The shape of the reinforced sculpted boxlock action with its top strap extended to the comb and finely beaded detonators is absolutely perfect, both in symmetry and in balance.

Philippe GRIFNÉE (1952-†2012) Grifnee engraver has done and signed the exceptional engraving.

Now deceased, he is considered to be one of the finest master gun engraver and his work is very sought after. [See the book by Gaier and Sabatti, "Les Plus Belles Gravures d’Armes de Chasse", published by Hatier, to which an entire chapter is devoted to his work.]

An elephant is bulino engraved on the action belly, while a superb portrait of a buffalo hump, in modeled old gold, is inlaid on the right side of the receiver. A rhino, also in old gold inlay, complements the left side.

The oak leaves sculpted on the fences benefit from the same inlay technique modeled in relief. The shaded scrollwork and gold fillets are exceptionally elegant, understated, and of incredible quality.

All the parts and fittings are decorated, and the traditional color casehardening finish highlights the excellence of the engraving.

The stock, crafted from superb French walnut (Juglans Regia), is very classic in shape, with carved drop-points, long top tang extending over front part of comb, trigger guard strap extending to the trapped grip cap and beaded pancake cheekpiece.

Its 15" length of pull is measured from the first hinged trigger to the 1" brown leather covered recoil pad.

The semi-beavertail forend features a handsome push-button hood and, like the grip, boasts a checkering remarkable for its quality and symmetry.

The rifle weighs 9lbs 15oz and proves comfortable to shoot, allowing for a quick second shot without losing sight of the target.

The barrels are sighted in for 60 meters convergence with .470 NE Federal Premium 500 grain at 2150 fps.

This double rifle groups remarkably well, its operation is flawless, with crisp and synchronized ejection.

 

** IMPORTANT NOTICE **

This remarkable weapon is offered at a price that disproportionately reflects its quality and the cost of Grifnée's fabulous engraving, as it appears the stock has sustained damage to the grip.

The virtually undetectable repair involved an internal reinforcement steel rod bonded with two-component epoxy strong adhesive.

We conducted several test firings with Hornady Dangerous Game 500 gr DGS ammo without any damage to the stock.

 

 

[1] The .470 Nitro Express 3¼" was introduced in 1900 by the English gunmaker Joseph Lang and remains to this day the most commonly produced nitro cartridge chambered in double express rifles intended for tropical hunts.