JAMES PURDEY 16 BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE.

JAMES PURDEY 16 BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 2993. (1837) Cal. 16 Ga. 27″ Stub Damascus barrels are engraved “J. Purdey 314 1/2 Oxford Street, London” on raised flat full length rib with deep V express rear sight dovetailed through, and small front bead filed into front portion. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with “JP”, proofs, and SN. There are 3 large ramrod pipes affixed to bottom of bbl, one mounted with sling eye, and rearmost with loop, with a raised lug at muzzle to secure ramrod. Bbls have deep 10-groove rifling. Twist appears to be about one turn in 60 inches. Breech plugs have platinum blow outs, and SN on hooks. Breech iron has high fences, and nicely cut flowing open scroll engraving. There is a cat face engraved near break off. Front action locks have sliding safeties locking tall Purdey style hammers at half cock. Locks are engraved with more flowing open scroll; “Purdey”, and a recumbent stag on left lockplate, and running boar on right. Trigger plate and thimble end in stylized pineapples. Steel trigger guard forms pistol grip. SN is on rear tang. A prowling tiger is engraved on bow. Dense slightly figured and streaked European walnut stock measures 14-7/16″ over engraved steel buttplate. There is a hinged circular patchbox on right side, engraved with hart and hind with geometric border. Stock features small double beaded right hand cheekpiece, sling button, and 20 LPI point pattern flat top checkering with mullered borders. Bbl attaches to stock with side nail through oval steel escutcheons. Ramrod is a modern replacement. Drop at heel: Approx 2-1/8″, drop at comb: Approx 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs. 9.5 oz, LOP 14-7/16″. L. Patrick Unsworth in his book THE EARLY PURDEYS lists this as a 16 bore double rifle, with date of sale 25 August 1837. This rifle is not noted as “extant”. PROVENANCE: Email from Purdey’s with ledger info stating that rifle was completed in August 1837 for Lord Blandford. CONDITION: Fair. Bbls retain virtually all of a pleasing purplish re-brown with good definition to pattern. Locks and breech iron are cleaned to silver brown. Thimble shows considerable deterioration, as do side nail and escutcheons. Trigger guard, buttplate, and patchbox are modern replacements that someone took a great deal of time and trouble to fit and finish. Engraving is done in the correct style and motif for the rifle, but is a bit heavy handed. Wood is sound, and has an oil finish which needs some more work. Checkering has not been re-cut at grip, but has been at forepiece. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Bores are dark and pitted, but rifling is strong. 4-40191 (4,500-8,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

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
	1362	$4,600.00	JAMES PURDEY 16 BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 2993. (1837) Cal. 16 Ga. 27″ Stub Damascus barrels are engraved “J. Purdey 314 1/2 Oxford Street, London” on raised flat full length rib with deep V express rear sight dovetailed through, and small front bead filed into front portion. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with “JP”, proofs, and SN. There are 3 large ramrod pipes affixed to bottom of bbl, one mounted with sling eye, and rearmost with loop, with a raised lug at muzzle to secure ramrod. Bbls have deep 10-groove rifling. Twist appears to be about one turn in 60 inches. Breech plugs have platinum blow outs, and SN on hooks. Breech iron has high fences, and nicely cut flowing open scroll engraving. There is a cat face engraved near break off. Front action locks have sliding safeties locking tall Purdey style hammers at half cock. Locks are engraved with more flowing open scroll; “Purdey”, and a recumbent stag on left lockplate, and running boar on right. Trigger plate and thimble end in stylized pineapples. Steel trigger guard forms pistol grip. SN is on rear tang. A prowling tiger is engraved on bow. Dense slightly figured and streaked European walnut stock measures 14-7/16″ over engraved steel buttplate. There is a hinged circular patchbox on right side, engraved with hart and hind with geometric border. Stock features small double beaded right hand cheekpiece, sling button, and 20 LPI point pattern flat top checkering with mullered borders. Bbl attaches to stock with side nail through oval steel escutcheons. Ramrod is a modern replacement. Drop at heel: Approx 2-1/8″, drop at comb: Approx 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs. 9.5 oz, LOP 14-7/16″. L. Patrick Unsworth in his book THE EARLY PURDEYS lists this as a 16 bore double rifle, with date of sale 25 August 1837. This rifle is not noted as “extant”. PROVENANCE: Email from Purdey’s with ledger info stating that rifle was completed in August 1837 for Lord Blandford. CONDITION: Fair. Bbls retain virtually all of a pleasing purplish re-brown with good definition to pattern. Locks and breech iron are cleaned to silver brown. Thimble shows considerable deterioration, as do side nail and escutcheons. Trigger guard, buttplate, and patchbox are modern replacements that someone took a great deal of time and trouble to fit and finish. Engraving is done in the correct style and motif for the rifle, but is a bit heavy handed. Wood is sound, and has an oil finish which needs some more work. Checkering has not been re-cut at grip, but has been at forepiece. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Bores are dark and pitted, but rifling is strong. 4-40191 (4,500-8,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 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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