EARLY JAMES PURDEY PERCUSSION GAME GUN.

EARLY JAMES PURDEY PERCUSSION GAME GUN. SN 504. (ca. 1823) Cal. 16 Bore. This very early percussion gun by this famous and innovative maker, who was the first to use the percussion system, as we know it today, has 32″ skelp twist Damascus barrels. The raised concave game rib was probably engraved with the early Princes Street address, but is mostly indecipherable. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN, London proofs, and “CL” (well known barrel maker, Charles Lancaster). There are two plain twist ramrod pipes holding original ebony ramrod with brass tulip head, and capped brass tail with steel worm. SN is stamped in wood at head of ramrod. Breech plugs have vented platinum “blow-outs” and inset platinum lines at rear with sunrise engraving on rib extension. Old square bossed nipples are in place. Breech iron has interesting early square shouldered fences, and is engraved with large shaded open scroll. Front action locks have broad flat serpentine hammers, and are fitted with Purdey’s patented intercepting safeties that engage a notch in hammer, at full cock, and are released when trigger s are pulled. Locks and hammers are engraved with lightly cut open flowing scroll. Safety levers are engraved “Safety”, with “Patent” under pivots. Fronts of lockplates are engraved with “Purdey” on scroll ended banner with feather motifs above and below, in what is still used by Purdey’s as a logo to this day. Trigger plate and thimble have stylized pineapple filing. Trigger plate is engraved with shell motif. Trigger guard is fitted with patent grip safety lever which blocks triggers until squeezed. Dense, somewhat streaked stump European walnut stock measures 14-3/4″ over original steel buttplate, with long tang. Checkering is at about 16 LPI with mullered borders. There is a vacant rectangular crest plate with cut corners on top of grip. SN is stamped in left bbl channel. Bbls attach to stock with side nail through silver oval escutcheons. Bore diameter: left -.691, right -.691. Bore restrictions: left -000, right -000. Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.030. Drop at heel: 2-3/16″, drop at comb: 1-3/4″. Weight: 7 lbs. 3.5 oz, LOP 14-3/4″. CONDITION: Good. This fine gun has seen generations of use, maintenance, and refinish, and could still probably be used today with some minor attention. Bbls retain most of an old re-brown, with excellent definition to the interesting pattern. As mentioned before, the makers name is considerably washed. Lockplates retain some case hardening color in protected areas, and there is some fire-blue on trigger guard and top tang of buttplate. Stocks show considerable use from carrying, with sharp edges rounded, with areas at tail of locks worn almost smooth. Checkering has been re-cut, but a long time ago. Bores are still very fine, bright and shiny, but lightly frosted throughout. Locks are crisp. Interceptors and safeties work. Nipples could use some attention. 4-40629 MGM70 (3,000-5,000)

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
	1366	$3,450.00	EARLY JAMES PURDEY PERCUSSION GAME GUN. SN 504. (ca. 1823) Cal. 16 Bore. This very early percussion gun by this famous and innovative maker, who was the first to use the percussion system, as we know it today, has 32″ skelp twist Damascus barrels. The raised concave game rib was probably engraved with the early Princes Street address, but is mostly indecipherable. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN, London proofs, and “CL” (well known barrel maker, Charles Lancaster). There are two plain twist ramrod pipes holding original ebony ramrod with brass tulip head, and capped brass tail with steel worm. SN is stamped in wood at head of ramrod. Breech plugs have vented platinum “blow-outs” and inset platinum lines at rear with sunrise engraving on rib extension. Old square bossed nipples are in place. Breech iron has interesting early square shouldered fences, and is engraved with large shaded open scroll. Front action locks have broad flat serpentine hammers, and are fitted with Purdey’s patented intercepting safeties that engage a notch in hammer, at full cock, and are released when trigger s are pulled. Locks and hammers are engraved with lightly cut open flowing scroll. Safety levers are engraved “Safety”, with “Patent” under pivots. Fronts of lockplates are engraved with “Purdey” on scroll ended banner with feather motifs above and below, in what is still used by Purdey’s as a logo to this day. Trigger plate and thimble have stylized pineapple filing. Trigger plate is engraved with shell motif. Trigger guard is fitted with patent grip safety lever which blocks triggers until squeezed. Dense, somewhat streaked stump European walnut stock measures 14-3/4″ over original steel buttplate, with long tang. Checkering is at about 16 LPI with mullered borders. There is a vacant rectangular crest plate with cut corners on top of grip. SN is stamped in left bbl channel. Bbls attach to stock with side nail through silver oval escutcheons. Bore diameter: left -.691, right -.691. Bore restrictions: left -000, right -000. Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.030. Drop at heel: 2-3/16″, drop at comb: 1-3/4″. Weight: 7 lbs. 3.5 oz, LOP 14-3/4″. CONDITION: Good. This fine gun has seen generations of use, maintenance, and refinish, and could still probably be used today with some minor attention. Bbls retain most of an old re-brown, with excellent definition to the interesting pattern. As mentioned before, the makers name is considerably washed. Lockplates retain some case hardening color in protected areas, and there is some fire-blue on trigger guard and top tang of buttplate. Stocks show considerable use from carrying, with sharp edges rounded, with areas at tail of locks worn almost smooth. Checkering has been re-cut, but a long time ago. Bores are still very fine, bright and shiny, but lightly frosted throughout. Locks are crisp. Interceptors and safeties work. Nipples could use some attention. 4-40629 MGM70 (3,000-5,000) 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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