doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com James Dalziel Dougall & Son info.

I have a .500 3" BPE double rifle cased with 20 accessories made by Dougall. Does anyone have info on Dougall or the records? I went on the web and could not find much out about him. I am trying to find out who the rifle was made for. Thanks!

A famous Scottish gunmaker from Glascow patentee of the famous "Lock Fast" action, patent number 1128 of 1860.

Here's more from Micheal McIntosh's excellent book, The Big Bore Rifle, page 59;

"Lefaucheux's fastening system scarcely was durable enough to handle the relatively low preassures that shotguns created much less the substantially greater stresses endemic to rifles. Systems truely stout enough for rifles did not appear until 1859 when Henry Jones patented his T-Fastener and 1860 with the appearance of James Dougall's Lock-Fast action."


Also from Mr. McIntosh's book:

With his father as J. & J. Dougall 1837 to 1841
As James D. Dougall 1841 to 1891
As J. D. Dougall & Sons 1891 to 1929

Address from 1837 to 1850 53 Argyle Arcade, Glascow Scotland
1850 to 1929 23 Gordon Street Glasgow, Scotland
1863 to 1883 59 St James Street, London
1883 to 1893 8 Bennet Street St. James

These books are also excellent resources;

"The British Shotgun" in three volumes by I. M. Crudgington and D. J. Baker
"Sidelocks & Boxlocks" by Geoffrey Boothroyd

If you need more just let us know!

Thanks! The 8 Bennet Street label indicates it was made between 1883 and 1893. Do you have any idea as to who has the ledgers (if they still exist)? The rifle is a Jones underlever hammer so I think it is not the highest quality Dougall, as I did see pictures of a Howda pistol made by Dougall that was stamped "HIGHEST" on the water table and I assume his best quality rifles were made on the Lockfast action. I have never, however, seen as many original reloading and cleaning tools with a double rifle.

Dougall's records have been lost. The fact that it's an under-lever does not exclude it from being high or even highest quality.
yes that is a hell of a lot of tools

Thanks Justin, I wanted to find out who the rifle was made for, but that is impossible as there are only 3 initials on the case lid. The rifle has about 80% engraving (which need cleaning as old varnish is on the locks and action in spots). If I can figure how to post a picture, I would show you what the rifle looks like.

Im sure everyone who watchs this site would love to see pictures.
There is an excellant tutorial,accessed through the title page to the site

[email:][/email] [email:][/email] [email:][/email]

Sorry, guess I got double or nothing!

Great!!!! Great!!!!
Thanks !! Thanks !!
Mike Mike

Sorry for nothin. Seeing that gun twice is a joy. This is a high quality Dougall