LORD RIPON’S J. PURDEY DOUBLE EXPRESS RIFLE.

LORD RIPON’S J. PURDEY DOUBLE EXPRESS RIFLE. SN 10375. (1879) Cal..450 BPE. All of Lord Ripon’s guns which have come to light show evidence of heavy use, and this rifle is no exception. It is, however, the first rifle made for this famous outdoorsman to come to auction. 28″ Barrels appear to be steel, and of an unusual combination of shoe lump and dovetailed construction. Full length file cut flat rib is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons. 314-1/2. Oxford Street. London.” on unmatted portion. Single standing express rear sight is dovetailed through rib, and is stamped “5”. Bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into end of rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs. Bottoms of bbls have SN and bbl makers initials “GA” (George Aston, Purdey head barrel maker). Lever over guard action has finely filed fences, side clips, and was originally fitted with sliding third fastener. Non-rebounding back action island locks have front acting safety bolts. Rounded hammers have high spurs. Actions, lockplates and hammers are engraved with well cut Purdey house style rose bouquet and scroll in the style originated by noted Purdey engraver J. Lucas, who was probably responsible for this work. “J. Purdey & Sons” is engraved on each lockplate. Trigger guard is engraved with SN and scroll on tang which extends to steel grip cap. Very finely marbled and figured European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over checkered steel buttplate, with charge information engraved on butt. Stock features typical Purdey long beaded shadow line right handed cheekpiece, 20 LPI flat top checkering, and a silver oval on toe line engraved with a stag passant standing on crown, surmounted by crown of a marquis. Splinter forend has Deeley release stamped “Patent” with inset horn tip. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 8 lbs. 6 oz, LOP 14-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Factory email with specifications, denoting that it was completed May 1879 for the Marquis of Ripon. CONDITION: Fair. Bbls retain most of an old re-black, over numerous areas of pitting. Engraving is washed, as are edges and file cutting of rib. Action is cleaned to pewter gray with light pinprick pitting overall. Buttstock shows considerable wear but with remnants of orig finish, and numerous marks, dents and knocks from handling and use. Forend is a replacement with pieces of wood added at sides to fit bbl. Jones under-lever is also a replacement. Bbl lumps have been re-shaped to accommodate this new lever. Sliding third fastener mechanism has been removed. Action is tight. Bbls are on face, but lever engages well beyond stop on trigger guard. Bores are fair, with fairly strong rifling, but with numerous pits throughout. Locks are crisp. Safeties engage at half cock. A grand old historically important rifle, worthy of restoration. It is interesting to speculate how many stags were downed by Lord Ripon. A look at his game book may enlighten us. 4-41848 MGM10 (15,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1147	$0.00	LORD RIPON’S J. PURDEY DOUBLE EXPRESS RIFLE. SN 10375. (1879) Cal..450 BPE. All of Lord Ripon’s guns which have come to light show evidence of heavy use, and this rifle is no exception. It is, however, the first rifle made for this famous outdoorsman to come to auction. 28″ Barrels appear to be steel, and of an unusual combination of shoe lump and dovetailed construction. Full length file cut flat rib is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons. 314-1/2. Oxford Street. London.” on unmatted portion. Single standing express rear sight is dovetailed through rib, and is stamped “5”. Bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into end of rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs. Bottoms of bbls have SN and bbl makers initials “GA” (George Aston, Purdey head barrel maker). Lever over guard action has finely filed fences, side clips, and was originally fitted with sliding third fastener. Non-rebounding back action island locks have front acting safety bolts. Rounded hammers have high spurs. Actions, lockplates and hammers are engraved with well cut Purdey house style rose bouquet and scroll in the style originated by noted Purdey engraver J. Lucas, who was probably responsible for this work. “J. Purdey & Sons” is engraved on each lockplate. Trigger guard is engraved with SN and scroll on tang which extends to steel grip cap. Very finely marbled and figured European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over checkered steel buttplate, with charge information engraved on butt. Stock features typical Purdey long beaded shadow line right handed cheekpiece, 20 LPI flat top checkering, and a silver oval on toe line engraved with a stag passant standing on crown, surmounted by crown of a marquis. Splinter forend has Deeley release stamped “Patent” with inset horn tip. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 8 lbs. 6 oz, LOP 14-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Factory email with specifications, denoting that it was completed May 1879 for the Marquis of Ripon. CONDITION: Fair. Bbls retain most of an old re-black, over numerous areas of pitting. Engraving is washed, as are edges and file cutting of rib. Action is cleaned to pewter gray with light pinprick pitting overall. Buttstock shows considerable wear but with remnants of orig finish, and numerous marks, dents and knocks from handling and use. Forend is a replacement with pieces of wood added at sides to fit bbl. Jones under-lever is also a replacement. Bbl lumps have been re-shaped to accommodate this new lever. Sliding third fastener mechanism has been removed. Action is tight. Bbls are on face, but lever engages well beyond stop on trigger guard. Bores are fair, with fairly strong rifling, but with numerous pits throughout. Locks are crisp. Safeties engage at half cock. A grand old historically important rifle, worthy of restoration. It is interesting to speculate how many stags were downed by Lord Ripon. A look at his game book may enlighten us. 4-41848 MGM10 (15,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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