J. PURDEY PERCUSSION RIFLE/ SHOTGUN WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES.

J. PURDEY PERCUSSION RIFLE/ SHOTGUN WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES. SN 5020. Cal. .52 (2 Groove express rifling) groove diameter/ .560 (smooth bore). 32″ Damascus bbls with full length flat rib engraved “J. Purdey & Sons 314-1/2 Oxford Street London.” fitted with one standing, two folding leaf rear sight, and white bead front are stamped with London black powder proofs, SNs, and “JP” on bottoms. Bottoms of bbls are fitted with three plain pipes, central one with sling eye, rearmost with loop, holding orig SNed Greenheart ramrod, with steel worm under brass tail, and brass tip with large groove, which locks into keeper at muzzle. Patent breeches with engraved slit vented platinum “blow-outs” have scroll engraving on rib extension, platinum bands at rear, and are fitted with orig rifle nipple at left marked “L” on base, and modern shotgun type nipple on right. Breech iron is engraved with beautifully cut medium shaded scroll with floral highlights. Front action locks with front sliding safeties that engage at half cock are mounted with classic Purdey flat-faced rifle style hammers. Locks are engraved with open flowing scroll. “Purdey” is on each lockplate under safety. Hammers are scroll engraved on sides, with stylized dolphin heads. Scroll engraved trigger plate has extended circular end with circular finial for added strength. Blued trigger guard has long scroll supported spur forming grip. SN is behind spur. Beautifully marbled and figured Circassian walnut stock measures 14-3/8″ over checkered steel buttplate with 1-1/2″ spur. Stock is fitted with sling eye. Beautifully scroll engraved spring loaded patchbox on left side of butt, is engraved under lid “6 Powder, 2-1/2 drms”. (The normal load for early 40 bore Purdey express rifles.) Rifle is checkered at grip and forepiece with standard pattern, flat top, checkering with mullered borders. Stock attaches to bbls with single side nail through engraved oval escutcheons with circular ends. Quartered oak case with pivoting hook latches has inlet brass corners and circular D-ring handle on top. Case is lined with green cloth with correct blue printed paper Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford St. label on lid, and contains a number of original and later added accessories. Most important is original Davis type mold for winged conical bullet, (casting correct .518 groove diameter bullet) which is SNed to rifle. With mold are two hollow pointing pins with rosewood handles. Also included is pedestal type sizing die which fits bullets, and is scratch engraved with SN. Other accessories include: a Rapine .565 diameter nutcracker type round ball mold; a .603 diameter wad cutter; reproduction leather bodied shot flask containing shot; leather handled brass telescope marked “Made in France” on end cap; Curtis and Harvey’s powder can; and various percussion cap boxes containing bullets, patches, etc. Miscellaneous pieces include turned rosewood bullet starters, breech plug wrenches, and one broken bridle, another one cracked, and various worms and cleaning tips. Also envelopes with various patching materials. PROVENANCE: Purdey factory letter, 25 March 1952 stating that it was built in 1854. Correspondence from M. Ehinger, another notation that it was made for G. Heathcore. Henry H. Blagden Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as refinished. Bbls retain most of a very fine re-brown, with excellent definition to pattern, which has pleasingly silvered at muzzles, and at normal carry point at forend. Breech plugs, breech iron, locks, and patchbox retain most of their nicely colored re-case hardening, engraving softened. Trigger guard and buttplate retain most of their correct charcoal re-blue. Stocks retain nearly all of their rubbed oil finish, with a few minor marks, checkering correctly re-cut. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Besides probable high quality replacement of bridle, a new side nail has been fashioned, and rear sight replaced, per bill for work from Michael Ehinger. Case exterior is good, retaining a considerable amount of orig finish, with a number of large repaired cracks. Interior cloth is good with marks from contact with gun and accessories, with some added pieces, and area worn through. Label is fine, considerably soiled at bottom. Original accessories are good. Later accessories are fine. L. Patrick Unsworth in THE EARLY PURDEYS, lists this rifle as a double 40 bore with 32″ barrels, with date of sale 9 August 1855, and a price of 84 pounds. It has been estimated that fewer than 250 Purdey double express rifles were produced. J. H. Walsh (Stonehenge) in the 2nd edition of THE SHOTGUN AND SPORTING RIFLE says “Foremost in simplicity and in established fame stand Mr. Purdey’s rifles, to possess one of which has been the object of most deer stalkers and rifle shots for many years … these rifles are all made with two grooves, the balls being a sugar loafed form and cast with two wings to fit the grooves.” 4-46043 MGM290 (7,500-12,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	1209	$9,200.00	J. PURDEY PERCUSSION RIFLE/ SHOTGUN WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES. SN 5020. Cal. .52 (2 Groove express rifling) groove diameter/ .560 (smooth bore). 32″ Damascus bbls with full length flat rib engraved “J. Purdey & Sons 314-1/2 Oxford Street London.” fitted with one standing, two folding leaf rear sight, and white bead front are stamped with London black powder proofs, SNs, and “JP” on bottoms. Bottoms of bbls are fitted with three plain pipes, central one with sling eye, rearmost with loop, holding orig SNed Greenheart ramrod, with steel worm under brass tail, and brass tip with large groove, which locks into keeper at muzzle. Patent breeches with engraved slit vented platinum “blow-outs” have scroll engraving on rib extension, platinum bands at rear, and are fitted with orig rifle nipple at left marked “L” on base, and modern shotgun type nipple on right. Breech iron is engraved with beautifully cut medium shaded scroll with floral highlights. Front action locks with front sliding safeties that engage at half cock are mounted with classic Purdey flat-faced rifle style hammers. Locks are engraved with open flowing scroll. “Purdey” is on each lockplate under safety. Hammers are scroll engraved on sides, with stylized dolphin heads. Scroll engraved trigger plate has extended circular end with circular finial for added strength. Blued trigger guard has long scroll supported spur forming grip. SN is behind spur. Beautifully marbled and figured Circassian walnut stock measures 14-3/8″ over checkered steel buttplate with 1-1/2″ spur. Stock is fitted with sling eye. Beautifully scroll engraved spring loaded patchbox on left side of butt, is engraved under lid “6 Powder, 2-1/2 drms”. (The normal load for early 40 bore Purdey express rifles.) Rifle is checkered at grip and forepiece with standard pattern, flat top, checkering with mullered borders. Stock attaches to bbls with single side nail through engraved oval escutcheons with circular ends. Quartered oak case with pivoting hook latches has inlet brass corners and circular D-ring handle on top. Case is lined with green cloth with correct blue printed paper Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford St. label on lid, and contains a number of original and later added accessories. Most important is original Davis type mold for winged conical bullet, (casting correct .518 groove diameter bullet) which is SNed to rifle. With mold are two hollow pointing pins with rosewood handles. Also included is pedestal type sizing die which fits bullets, and is scratch engraved with SN. Other accessories include: a Rapine .565 diameter nutcracker type round ball mold; a .603 diameter wad cutter; reproduction leather bodied shot flask containing shot; leather handled brass telescope marked “Made in France” on end cap; Curtis and Harvey’s powder can; and various percussion cap boxes containing bullets, patches, etc. Miscellaneous pieces include turned rosewood bullet starters, breech plug wrenches, and one broken bridle, another one cracked, and various worms and cleaning tips. Also envelopes with various patching materials. PROVENANCE: Purdey factory letter, 25 March 1952 stating that it was built in 1854. Correspondence from M. Ehinger, another notation that it was made for G. Heathcore. Henry H. Blagden Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as refinished. Bbls retain most of a very fine re-brown, with excellent definition to pattern, which has pleasingly silvered at muzzles, and at normal carry point at forend. Breech plugs, breech iron, locks, and patchbox retain most of their nicely colored re-case hardening, engraving softened. Trigger guard and buttplate retain most of their correct charcoal re-blue. Stocks retain nearly all of their rubbed oil finish, with a few minor marks, checkering correctly re-cut. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Besides probable high quality replacement of bridle, a new side nail has been fashioned, and rear sight replaced, per bill for work from Michael Ehinger. Case exterior is good, retaining a considerable amount of orig finish, with a number of large repaired cracks. Interior cloth is good with marks from contact with gun and accessories, with some added pieces, and area worn through. Label is fine, considerably soiled at bottom. Original accessories are good. Later accessories are fine. L. Patrick Unsworth in THE EARLY PURDEYS, lists this rifle as a double 40 bore with 32″ barrels, with date of sale 9 August 1855, and a price of 84 pounds. It has been estimated that fewer than 250 Purdey double express rifles were produced. J. H. Walsh (Stonehenge) in the 2nd edition of THE SHOTGUN AND SPORTING RIFLE says “Foremost in simplicity and in established fame stand Mr. Purdey’s rifles, to possess one of which has been the object of most deer stalkers and rifle shots for many years … these rifles are all made with two grooves, the balls being a sugar loafed form and cast with two wings to fit the grooves.” 4-46043 MGM290 (7,500-12,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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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