VERY FINE JAMES PURDEY TWO GROOVE “EXPRESS” PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE.

SN 5598. (1859) Cal. 40 Bore. (.525 Groove diameter) 30″ Broadly patterned, fine Damascus bbls are fitted with full length rib mounted with one standing leaf and two folded nested leaf express rear sight marked for 100, 150, and 200 yards. A tiny ivory bead front is longitudinally dovetailed into breech end. “J. Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford Street. London.” is engraved on rib behind rear sight. Rifle is no. “2” of a pair with “2” engraved on rear portion of rib and breech iron. Patent breeches with engraved platinum blow-outs are embellished with well cut scroll on rib extension and vestigial platinum bands at breech ends. Case hardened breech iron with integral fences is engraved with full coverage shaded scroll. Bar locks are fitted with Purdey’s uniquely shaped flat serpentine chamfered hammers with circular bases and stylized dolphin heads. Locks also have front sliding safeties that engage at half cock, and are engraved with sprays of very well cut open scroll. “Purdey” is on each lockplate. Trigger plate extends forward to circular finial and front trigger is ribbed. Scroll engraved trigger guard has long checkered spur forming pistol grip. SN is on rear tang. Relatively plain, but lightly streaked, European walnut stock measures 14-1/2″ over coarsely checkered steel buttplate with 1″ top spur. A spring loaded patchbox is installed on right side of butt, which is engraved with burst of well cut scroll, surrounded by scroll and floral borders. Interior of cover is engraved “2-1/2 Drms Rifle Powder”. Stock also features slim shadow line beaded right hand cheekpiece, flat top checkering with mullered borders at grip and forend, and nicely engraved steel thimble. Stock attaches to bbls with side nail through shaped steel escutcheons. Bottom of bbl is fitted with two plain pipes holding ebony and brass ramrod. Drop at heel: approx 2-11/16″, drop at comb: approx 1-7/8″. Weight: 7 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 14-1/2″. Also included with rifle are custom Lyman bullet mold blocks for winged conical bullet with hollow pointing pin, as well as some bullets cast with this mold and some linen patches. PROVENANCE: L. Patrick Unsworth in THE EARLY PURDEYS lists this rifle as being known, and as one of a pair with 30″ bbls in 40 bore, with a date of sale of 28 Jul 1859. Unsworth quotes J. H. Walsh (Stonehenge) in his 2nd edn of THE SHOTGUN AND SPORTING RIFLE: “Mr. Purdey’s two grooved rifle. 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.” This is the type of rifle for which James Purdey coined the term “express train” for its high velocity and flat shooting; the origin of our modern term “express rifle”. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 90% of an old, possibly orig, brown, with very good definition to pattern. Patent breeches retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening color. Breech iron and locks retain 80% of their orig case hardening color. Safeties retain most of their bright blue. Trigger guard retains approx 60% of what appears to be its orig charcoal blue. Stock retains most of what appears to be its orig hand rubbed oil finish, but is most likely an old refinish with numerous light marks and scratches, and a few somewhat deeper dents. Checkering is somewhat worn and dirty. Bores are very fine with some light frosting. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Mold is fine. 50231-2 MGM286 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 2388

Auction: Firearms - March 2016

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
	2388	$0.00	VERY FINE JAMES PURDEY TWO GROOVE “EXPRESS” PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 5598. (1859) Cal. 40 Bore. (.525 Groove diameter) 30″ Broadly patterned, fine Damascus bbls are fitted with full length rib mounted with one standing leaf and two folded nested leaf express rear sight marked for 100, 150, and 200 yards. A tiny ivory bead front is longitudinally dovetailed into breech end. “J. Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford Street. London.” is engraved on rib behind rear sight. Rifle is no. “2” of a pair with “2” engraved on rear portion of rib and breech iron. Patent breeches with engraved platinum blow-outs are embellished with well cut scroll on rib extension and vestigial platinum bands at breech ends. Case hardened breech iron with integral fences is engraved with full coverage shaded scroll. Bar locks are fitted with Purdey’s uniquely shaped flat serpentine chamfered hammers with circular bases and stylized dolphin heads. Locks also have front sliding safeties that engage at half cock, and are engraved with sprays of very well cut open scroll. “Purdey” is on each lockplate. Trigger plate extends forward to circular finial and front trigger is ribbed. Scroll engraved trigger guard has long checkered spur forming pistol grip. SN is on rear tang. Relatively plain, but lightly streaked, European walnut stock measures 14-1/2″ over coarsely checkered steel buttplate with 1″ top spur. A spring loaded patchbox is installed on right side of butt, which is engraved with burst of well cut scroll, surrounded by scroll and floral borders. Interior of cover is engraved “2-1/2 Drms Rifle Powder”. Stock also features slim shadow line beaded right hand cheekpiece, flat top checkering with mullered borders at grip and forend, and nicely engraved steel thimble. Stock attaches to bbls with side nail through shaped steel escutcheons. Bottom of bbl is fitted with two plain pipes holding ebony and brass ramrod. Drop at heel: approx 2-11/16″, drop at comb: approx 1-7/8″. Weight: 7 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 14-1/2″. Also included with rifle are custom Lyman bullet mold blocks for winged conical bullet with hollow pointing pin, as well as some bullets cast with this mold and some linen patches. PROVENANCE: L. Patrick Unsworth in THE EARLY PURDEYS lists this rifle as being known, and as one of a pair with 30″ bbls in 40 bore, with a date of sale of 28 Jul 1859. Unsworth quotes J. H. Walsh (Stonehenge) in his 2nd edn of THE SHOTGUN AND SPORTING RIFLE: “Mr. Purdey’s two grooved rifle. 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.” This is the type of rifle for which James Purdey coined the term “express train” for its high velocity and flat shooting; the origin of our modern term “express rifle”. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 90% of an old, possibly orig, brown, with very good definition to pattern. Patent breeches retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening color. Breech iron and locks retain 80% of their orig case hardening color. Safeties retain most of their bright blue. Trigger guard retains approx 60% of what appears to be its orig charcoal blue. Stock retains most of what appears to be its orig hand rubbed oil finish, but is most likely an old refinish with numerous light marks and scratches, and a few somewhat deeper dents. Checkering is somewhat worn and dirty. Bores are very fine with some light frosting. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Mold is fine. 50231-2 MGM286 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 2388 Auction: Firearms - March 2016 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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VERY FINE JAMES PURDEY TWO GROOVE “EXPRESS” PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE.