Buying A Used Heym Double Rifle - Any Advice?

[Daniel Cary]

I think it is hideous.

From engraving to high gloss, I know shit from shinola.
I wondered, a friend hated it. I take your opinion.

Is it even a good engraving? accurate, good bull, layout, etc.

 

[Daniel Cary]

May be last to speak on behalf of the K 500. Members swear by em, customer service incredible.

I'm also on the fence of it's aesthetics. But feel the same way about some Heym's?
Verney-Carron, they got the look imo.

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[MacJenkins]

May be last to speak on behalf of the K 500. Members swear by em, customer service incredible.

I'm also on the fence of it's aesthetics. But feel the same way about some Heym's?
Verney-Carron, they got the look imo.

View attachment 680550View attachment 680551

Can’t get past the look of the monoblock on them and grip feels weird to me.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Can’t get past the look of the monoblock on them and grip feels weird to me.

What is a mono-block? .. when you can
Many thanks.

 

[KJE81]

What is a mono-block? .. when you can
Many thanks.

Monoblock is when the barrels are welded to the block, visable joints between the barrels and the action flats like in your pictures. I also find the joints rather ugly and prefer demiblock barrels when possible.

 

[MacJenkins]

What is a mono-block? .. when you can
Many thanks.

It’s how the barrels are fitted to the receiver block. It’s a modern way of building barrel sets. What looks like decorative engraving on the barrels 3-4” in front of the breach face is actually only there to cover up the joint where the barrels are sleeved or threaded into the “mono-block”.

 

[MacJenkins]

Monoblock is when the barrels are welded to the block, visable joints between the barrels and the action flats like in your pictures. I also find the joints rather ugly and prefer demiblock barrels when possible.

Agreed, chopper lump and shoe lump look better but is a more expensive to make is my understanding.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Thank you .. that's it!

I remember Chris explaining this vs Heym's shoe-lump. I really had to follow his explanation, the concept a couple times; it was the 1st introduction to doubles ..

 

[Daniel Cary]

Well, I'm excited for anyone that's buying a Heym.

I honestly, if the right one came along .. would go for broke, perhaps.

If an 88 that fit ..

 

[JHT]

Do all of the 88B models have the same features, are the early models the same as the current models, are they all equal, should I be concerned about buying a 1980's gun compared to a 2010 gun?

The very early 88B's had a screw on the bottom of the receiver that was eventually removed.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

May be last to speak on behalf of the K 500. Members swear by em, customer service incredible.

I'm also on the fence of it's aesthetics. But feel the same way about some Heym's?
Verney-Carron, they got the look imo.

View attachment 680550View attachment 680551

I fully agree. Not a fan of the Krieghoffs “lines”. Not a fan at all of Heyms 88b lines. Huge fan of the 89b lines. They nailed the English boxlock look for sure. And I’ve seen some stunner VCs and would certainly entertain the thought of buying one, if they hadn’t closed their doors for good a few weeks back. Whatever this VC in the photo is, it is spectacular looking. Any idea whose it is? Or chambering? Gorgeous rifle there

 

[Daniel Cary]

I fully agree. Not a fan of the Krieghoffs “lines”. Not a fan at all of Heyms 88b lines. Huge fan of the 89b lines. They nailed the English boxlock look for sure. And I’ve seen some stunner VCs and would certainly entertain the thought of buying one, if they hadn’t closed their doors for good a few weeks back. Whatever this VC in the photo is, it is spectacular looking. Any idea whose it is? Or chambering? Gorgeous rifle there

Happy to hear. At least you know what you want "89"
The Octagon Barrel VC is a distributer's 500.
The Monstrosity on the floor is an individual's 577.

 

[Rare Breed]

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I seem to have come full circle. My first DR fairly plain. Then as I bought more I got higher levels of engraving, gold, etc. Now given my experience hunting with them I prefer my latest, simple Rigby, little to no engraving a very functional lovely rifle. I kid @Kevin Peacocke I have become exactly like him in terms of DR style choice

 

[PCC600]

I seem to have come full circle. My first DR fairly plain. Then as I bought more I got higher levels of engraving, gold, etc. Now given my experience hunting with them I prefer my latest, simple Rigby, little to no engraving a very functional lovely rifle. I kid @Kevin Peacocke I have become exactly like him in terms of DR style choice

Me too . I have requested minimal engraving on my Rigby Shikari . Just some borders . With sidelocks the old style rose and scroll is fairly understated . I have recently looked at a friend’s sidelock DR with the “funeral” finish and thought it was magnificent . For my taste - less is more .

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I seem to have come full circle. My first DR fairly plain. Then as I bought more I got higher levels of engraving, gold, etc. Now given my experience hunting with them I prefer my latest, simple Rigby, little to no engraving a very functional lovely rifle. I kid @Kevin Peacocke I have become exactly like him in terms of DR style choice

There is a place, I won't say the heart because that is too connected to emotion and we hunters don't have much use for that. No, the place I am referring to is just around the solo plexus, it is connected to the corners of the mouth. When you are holding a plain, but beautiful double rifle, when the watch on your wrist just has hands and is driven by your own motion through the bush and when your knife will hold it's edge through a whole buffalo skinning, then the quiet warmth in that spot lifts the corners of the mouth, and you are at peace.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

Happy to hear. At least you know what you want "89"
The Octagon Barrel VC is a distributer's 500.
The Monstrosity on the floor is an individual's 577.

Haha yes but again, I already own an 89b in .500

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

Happy to hear. At least you know what you want "89"
The Octagon Barrel VC is a distributer's 500.
The Monstrosity on the floor is an individual's 577.

Speaking of that .577, as well as some other posted on your media, are you the owner of any of those rifles? Or could put me in contact with the owner? Wondering if any of those rifles are available, as some had price tags, and I could potentially entertain the thought of adding one or 2 of those to the battery. Especially that .577 and there was a .500 Jeffery (I think) that you posted as well. Looking for a 3rd large Mauser to add to the 450 Rigby and a spectacular South African made .416 I acquired over the last couple of weeks.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I especially appreciate the old “aged” more simple English doubles. The more use and patina. The better they look to me. A perfect rifle to me is one that was carried for decades and rarely shot. But meticulously maintained.

 

[PCC600]

I especially appreciate the old “aged” more simple English doubles. The more use and patina. The better they look to me. A perfect rifle to me is one that was carried for decades and rarely shot. But meticulously maintained.

I just can’t understand the mania for tarting up old rifles that are still in great working order . The 2 things I hate are -the addition of gold animals engraved on the underside of actions , and renewed colour case hardening . The colours are invariably lurid , the reheating may damage action metallurgy and for what - to pretend it is a new rifle ?