VERY FINE JAMES PURDEY PERCUSSION GAME GUN WITH CASE.

SN 3603. (1841) Cal. 14 ga. 31″ Damascus bbls are engraved “J. Purdey. 314 1/2 Oxford Street. London.” on slightly elevated, broad, concave rib. L. Patrick Unsworth in THE EARLY PURDEYS does not note this gun as being known, but does confirm specifications of bbl length, and gauge, with an additional note that “9 Oct 1857 the pair part exchanged for nos. 5373-4”. Ebony ramrod numbered “3604” has brass head and tail, with worm under cap, and is held by two plain pipes. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and “JP”. Breech plugs with SNs on hooks, are fitted with engraved platinum blow-outs, have scroll engraving on rib extension, and platinum lines at rear. Rear of right plug is stamped “TE” (Thomas Evans (?) barrel maker). Breech iron is engraved with well cut large shaded scroll, and has integral fences. Bar locks fitted with tall flat faced serpentine hammers having stylized dolphins heads are engraved with large open scroll. “Purdey” is on front of each plate. Trigger plate having long extension with ball finial, is engraved with scroll matching breech iron tang. Scroll engraved trigger guard is fitted with patent grip safety, which only acts to block triggers. SN is at rear of tang. Nicely marbled and lightly figured circassian walnut straight grip stock measures 14-1/4″ over steel buttplate engraved on butt with very large open scroll. Long tang has a scene with a pair of fowl. Flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip and forend. Rectangular silver crest plate at top of grip is engraved with a boar pierced with an arrow. Thimble has stylized pineapple finial and is nicely scroll engraved. Stock attaches to bbl with side nail through engraved and shaped steel escutcheons. Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.710, right -.706. Minimum wall thickness: left -.037, right -.036. Drop at heel: 2-1/16″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. Correct style mahogany case with pivoting hook closure and inset D-ring brass handle on top, is lined in olive green cloth. Orig Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford St. label printed in blue ink, is affixed to lid, and inscribed “Charge 3-1/4 DRS No 6 Rifle powder”. This is undoubtedly an orig Purdey case which has been relined. It has usual white paper dots with SNs inscribed on bottom of wad compartment cover and in bottom of compartment; both illegible. CONDITION: Very fine, as refinished, most likely by Purdey’s when taken in exchange in 1857. Bbls retain approx 80% of very attractive plum brown, with excellent definition to broad pattern. Locks, breech plugs and iron retain a considerable amount of case hardening color, relatively strong on lockplates, engraving lightly softened overall. Traces of bright blue are on trigger guard bow; inside of bow has very strong blue. Stock retains most of what appears to be its orig finish with a later over-finish, both crazed, and with numerous light marks, checkering slightly worn. Bores are very fine, shiny, lightly frosted throughout. Locks are crisp. Case retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig finish with numerous scratches and marks, with cracks at front portion of lid. Brass is a mellow patina. Renewed cloth and partitions are excellent. Label is speckled, slightly dirty, and with some rubs through. 4-55358 (5,000-8,000) – Lot 2415

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	2415	$5,750.00	VERY FINE JAMES PURDEY PERCUSSION GAME GUN WITH CASE. SN 3603. (1841) Cal. 14 ga. 31″ Damascus bbls are engraved “J. Purdey. 314 1/2 Oxford Street. London.” on slightly elevated, broad, concave rib. L. Patrick Unsworth in THE EARLY PURDEYS does not note this gun as being known, but does confirm specifications of bbl length, and gauge, with an additional note that “9 Oct 1857 the pair part exchanged for nos. 5373-4”. Ebony ramrod numbered “3604” has brass head and tail, with worm under cap, and is held by two plain pipes. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and “JP”. Breech plugs with SNs on hooks, are fitted with engraved platinum blow-outs, have scroll engraving on rib extension, and platinum lines at rear. Rear of right plug is stamped “TE” (Thomas Evans (?) barrel maker). Breech iron is engraved with well cut large shaded scroll, and has integral fences. Bar locks fitted with tall flat faced serpentine hammers having stylized dolphins heads are engraved with large open scroll. “Purdey” is on front of each plate. Trigger plate having long extension with ball finial, is engraved with scroll matching breech iron tang. Scroll engraved trigger guard is fitted with patent grip safety, which only acts to block triggers. SN is at rear of tang. Nicely marbled and lightly figured circassian walnut straight grip stock measures 14-1/4″ over steel buttplate engraved on butt with very large open scroll. Long tang has a scene with a pair of fowl. Flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip and forend. Rectangular silver crest plate at top of grip is engraved with a boar pierced with an arrow. Thimble has stylized pineapple finial and is nicely scroll engraved. Stock attaches to bbl with side nail through engraved and shaped steel escutcheons. Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.710, right -.706. Minimum wall thickness: left -.037, right -.036. Drop at heel: 2-1/16″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. Correct style mahogany case with pivoting hook closure and inset D-ring brass handle on top, is lined in olive green cloth. Orig Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford St. label printed in blue ink, is affixed to lid, and inscribed “Charge 3-1/4 DRS No 6 Rifle powder”. This is undoubtedly an orig Purdey case which has been relined. It has usual white paper dots with SNs inscribed on bottom of wad compartment cover and in bottom of compartment; both illegible. CONDITION: Very fine, as refinished, most likely by Purdey’s when taken in exchange in 1857. Bbls retain approx 80% of very attractive plum brown, with excellent definition to broad pattern. Locks, breech plugs and iron retain a considerable amount of case hardening color, relatively strong on lockplates, engraving lightly softened overall. Traces of bright blue are on trigger guard bow; inside of bow has very strong blue. Stock retains most of what appears to be its orig finish with a later over-finish, both crazed, and with numerous light marks, checkering slightly worn. Bores are very fine, shiny, lightly frosted throughout. Locks are crisp. Case retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig finish with numerous scratches and marks, with cracks at front portion of lid. Brass is a mellow patina. Renewed cloth and partitions are excellent. Label is speckled, slightly dirty, and with some rubs through. 4-55358 (5,000-8,000) – Lot 2415 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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 PERCUSSION GAME GUN WITH CASE.