Exquisite Chapuis Armes Safari Express Double Rifle – .470 Nitro Express
A true masterpiece of French gunmaking, the Chapuis Armes Safari Express side-by-side double rifle represents the pinnacle of dangerous game firearms. Built to withstand the punishing recoil of the legendary .470 Nitro Express, this rifle is as much a work of art as it is a life-saving tool for the African brush.
Combining old-world craftsmanship with modern metallurgical precision, this bespoke double rifle features breathtaking exhibition-grade woodwork and masterful hand-engraving. Whether you are planning a pursuit of the Big Five or seeking a crown jewel for a high-end sporting arms collection, this Chapuis delivers unparalleled elegance, instantaneous follow-up shots, and devastating power.
Product Specifications
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Manufacturer: Chapuis Armes (Saint-Bonnet-le-Château, France)
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Model: Safari Express Double Rifle
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Caliber: .470 Nitro Express (.470 NE)
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Action: Scalloped Boxlock, Side-by-Side (SxS) with robust automatic ejectors.
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Triggers: Double triggers (featuring an articulated front trigger to protect the shooter’s finger under heavy recoil).
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Barrel Length: 24 inches.
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Sights: Traditional quarter-rib express sights. Features a fixed wide V-notch rear sight with additional folding leaves for extended ranges, and a ramped front bead with a flip-up low-light “moon” sight.
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Woodwork: Exhibition-grade, highly figured Turkish walnut. Features a meticulously hand-rubbed oil finish, beautifully executed checkering, a classic pistol grip with an engraved steel cap, and a traditional cheekpiece. Includes a thick rubber recoil pad.
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Engraving: The coin-finished receiver is lavishly hand-engraved, featuring deep, intricate floral scrollwork alongside beautifully detailed African dangerous game vignettes.
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Lockup: Double-parallel underlugs with a massive locking bite, designed specifically for the extreme pressures of nitro big-bore cartridges.
Condition Report
This heirloom-quality Chapuis double rifle is in absolute exquisite condition showing minimal handling.
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Finish: The barrels retain 99%+ of their deep, lustrous factory rust blue. The coin-finished receiver is immaculate, allowing the master engraving to pop with incredible contrast. There are no scratches, rust, or handling marks on the metalwork.
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Bores: Both bores are mirror-bright with razor-sharp rifling. Absolutely pristine.
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Wood: The exhibition-grade walnut is breathtaking, displaying rich, contrasting dark mineral lines throughout the stock and splinter forend. The hand-cut checkering is perfectly sharp. There is one small wood ding and scratching towards the butt of the stock.
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Mechanics: The action is incredibly tight, opening and closing with the feel of a custom bank vault. The triggers break crisply like glass, and the automatic ejectors are perfectly timed and robust.
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Regulation: Barrels are factory-regulated to crossfire beautifully at traditional dangerous game distances (typically 50 meters with standard 500-grain solid or soft-point loads).
