PURDEY 100 BORE TWO GROOVE EXPRESS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES.

PURDEY 100 BORE TWO GROOVE EXPRESS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES. SN 7044. Cal. .400 Groove diameter. .362 Bore diameter. (100 bore). In 1852 James Purdey experimented with small caliber rifles using large powder charges, and developed a mechanically fitted conical bullet with two wings to preclude stripping across rifling. This was done in order to produce high velocity and thus long range striking energy and flat trajectory. He obtained excellent results, and marketed his newly developed rifle and bullet as “The Express Train”. This was later shortened and taken into everyday usage as the “Express”. Stonehenge (J. H. Walsh) in his second edition of THE SHOTGUN AND SPORTING RIFLE says of Mr. Purdey’s 2-groove 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.” These percussion rifles were made well into the breech loading era, the last of which were sold in 1868 and 1869. This particular rifle no. 7044 was sold 5 July 1865 to the famous sportsman Lord Bentinck, of whom, James Purdey wrote “My First and Best Customer”. After a quick perusal of all the listed rifles in L. Patrick Unsworth’s book THE EARLY PURDEYS, it appears that this is one of only two 100 bore 2-groove express rifles ever made. The other being #6224, sold in 1862. All other 100 bores listed after 1852 (the introduction of the express) were breechloaders. It has 29-1/2″ fine two blade Damascus bbls with full length flat rib, matted in front of one standing, three folding express rear sight, and longitudinally dovetailed ivory front sight. Rib is engraved “J. Purdey, 314-1/2 Oxford Street, London”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and proofs. What appears to be the orig ramrod, with grooved brass head, and tail with steel worm under cap, mounts through three pipes, center pipe fitted with sling eye. Patent breeches have platinum bands at rear, and engraved platinum blow-outs. Breech iron with filed in fences is nicely engraved with large open shaded scroll. Bar locks with Purdey late style rifle hammers have front sliding stalking safeties. Locks are engraved with well cut open scroll. Hammers have stylized dolphins heads. Trigger plate extends forward to help reinforce stock. Scroll engraved trigger guard with tail forming pistol grip has SN at grip. The other sighting arrangement on rifle is what appears to be orig folding circular engraved steel tang sight with sliding German silver bar dovetailed in for windage adjustment. Finely marbled and figured Circassian walnut stock measures 14-1/2″ over checkered steel buttplate, engraved “Charge 1-1/2 Drs. No. 6 Powder”. Stock features shadow line right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip and forend, sling loop and vacant silver oval on toe line, and scroll engraved round spring loaded patchbox on right side of butt. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: Approx 2-7/16″. Drop at comb: approx 1-3/4″. Weight: 8 lbs 7 oz. Original makers quartered oak case with inset D-ring handle and inset brass corners, has dual brass pivoting hook closure, as well as a key lock. Interior is lined with burgundy cloth with blue printed Oxford St. Purdey label having notations in India ink of SN, “Made in 1865”, “95 Bore”, and “Charge 1/2 Dms of no. X6 powder, as made by Curtis & Harvey”. Another card installed later by an owner gives specifications of the rifle and loads he found to be accurate, using both round ball and conical bullet. Case contains an array of orig accessories, most important of which are two bullet molds; one Davis type brass and iron casting belted round ball; the other, original to the rifle, entirely of steel stamped with SN casting conical bullet with wings. Also included are two brass and Greenheart cleaning rods with handles, an ebony patch container full of muslin patches, and other tin boxes containing a variety of different types of patch. Another compartment contains a 70 bore patch cutter. Two covered compartments with paper dots under lids have SN of rifle inscribed in ink, one contains “James Dickson & Sons” leather covered German silver powder flask with nozzle adjustments from 1-1/2 to 2 drams. Another nozzle is included for increments up to 3 drams. The other compartment contains an assortment of bullets both conical and round. Many of the round belted balls are covered in fine kid leather neatly tied off to be ready for use. Under the bbl channel is a leather pouch containing 3-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod. Another small leather wallet contains a threaded nipple and a brass cap. This very rifle is illustrated and described in Richard Akehurst’s GAME GUNS AND RIFLES on illustrations 16, 17, and 19. With rifle comes framed and matted frontispiece of book on fox hunting featuring Lord Henry Bentinck with a side on portrait of the Lord above handwritten note stating James Purdey’s comment written on the photograph of Lord Henry Bentinck in the long room at Purdeys. Along with “On the back is written: the best and truest friend and patron to James Purdey the elder and the younger.” PROVENANCE: Copies of pages from books. Letters and other good junk. CONDITION: Very fine, as refinished, most likely during period of orig use. Bbls retain 95% of a correct plum brown giving excellent definition to pattern. Patent breeches, breech iron, locks, and trigger plate retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening colors in protected areas, but are mostly gray brown. Safeties retain approx 30 % of their blue. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a correct charcoal re-blue, engraving slightly washed. Stock retains nearly all of a professional rubbed oil finish, checkering competently re-cut. Patchbox cleaned to silver, and is slightly above wood. Bores are excellent. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Case retains a considerable amount of what appears to be its orig lacquer, with numerous minor scuffs, marks, and cracks. Interior cloth is very good with some insect damage, and marks from contact with gun and accessories. Label is very fine with only some minor staining. Accessories are very good. Framed papers have some slight foxing and creasing. Frame is excellent. 4-45683 MGM29 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 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
	2331	$17,825.00	PURDEY 100 BORE TWO GROOVE EXPRESS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES. SN 7044. Cal. .400 Groove diameter. .362 Bore diameter. (100 bore). In 1852 James Purdey experimented with small caliber rifles using large powder charges, and developed a mechanically fitted conical bullet with two wings to preclude stripping across rifling. This was done in order to produce high velocity and thus long range striking energy and flat trajectory. He obtained excellent results, and marketed his newly developed rifle and bullet as “The Express Train”. This was later shortened and taken into everyday usage as the “Express”. Stonehenge (J. H. Walsh) in his second edition of THE SHOTGUN AND SPORTING RIFLE says of Mr. Purdey’s 2-groove 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.” These percussion rifles were made well into the breech loading era, the last of which were sold in 1868 and 1869. This particular rifle no. 7044 was sold 5 July 1865 to the famous sportsman Lord Bentinck, of whom, James Purdey wrote “My First and Best Customer”. After a quick perusal of all the listed rifles in L. Patrick Unsworth’s book THE EARLY PURDEYS, it appears that this is one of only two 100 bore 2-groove express rifles ever made. The other being #6224, sold in 1862. All other 100 bores listed after 1852 (the introduction of the express) were breechloaders. It has 29-1/2″ fine two blade Damascus bbls with full length flat rib, matted in front of one standing, three folding express rear sight, and longitudinally dovetailed ivory front sight. Rib is engraved “J. Purdey, 314-1/2 Oxford Street, London”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and proofs. What appears to be the orig ramrod, with grooved brass head, and tail with steel worm under cap, mounts through three pipes, center pipe fitted with sling eye. Patent breeches have platinum bands at rear, and engraved platinum blow-outs. Breech iron with filed in fences is nicely engraved with large open shaded scroll. Bar locks with Purdey late style rifle hammers have front sliding stalking safeties. Locks are engraved with well cut open scroll. Hammers have stylized dolphins heads. Trigger plate extends forward to help reinforce stock. Scroll engraved trigger guard with tail forming pistol grip has SN at grip. The other sighting arrangement on rifle is what appears to be orig folding circular engraved steel tang sight with sliding German silver bar dovetailed in for windage adjustment. Finely marbled and figured Circassian walnut stock measures 14-1/2″ over checkered steel buttplate, engraved “Charge 1-1/2 Drs. No. 6 Powder”. Stock features shadow line right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip and forend, sling loop and vacant silver oval on toe line, and scroll engraved round spring loaded patchbox on right side of butt. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: Approx 2-7/16″. Drop at comb: approx 1-3/4″. Weight: 8 lbs 7 oz. Original makers quartered oak case with inset D-ring handle and inset brass corners, has dual brass pivoting hook closure, as well as a key lock. Interior is lined with burgundy cloth with blue printed Oxford St. Purdey label having notations in India ink of SN, “Made in 1865”, “95 Bore”, and “Charge 1/2 Dms of no. X6 powder, as made by Curtis & Harvey”. Another card installed later by an owner gives specifications of the rifle and loads he found to be accurate, using both round ball and conical bullet. Case contains an array of orig accessories, most important of which are two bullet molds; one Davis type brass and iron casting belted round ball; the other, original to the rifle, entirely of steel stamped with SN casting conical bullet with wings. Also included are two brass and Greenheart cleaning rods with handles, an ebony patch container full of muslin patches, and other tin boxes containing a variety of different types of patch. Another compartment contains a 70 bore patch cutter. Two covered compartments with paper dots under lids have SN of rifle inscribed in ink, one contains “James Dickson & Sons” leather covered German silver powder flask with nozzle adjustments from 1-1/2 to 2 drams. Another nozzle is included for increments up to 3 drams. The other compartment contains an assortment of bullets both conical and round. Many of the round belted balls are covered in fine kid leather neatly tied off to be ready for use. Under the bbl channel is a leather pouch containing 3-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod. Another small leather wallet contains a threaded nipple and a brass cap. This very rifle is illustrated and described in Richard Akehurst’s GAME GUNS AND RIFLES on illustrations 16, 17, and 19. With rifle comes framed and matted frontispiece of book on fox hunting featuring Lord Henry Bentinck with a side on portrait of the Lord above handwritten note stating James Purdey’s comment written on the photograph of Lord Henry Bentinck in the long room at Purdeys. Along with “On the back is written: the best and truest friend and patron to James Purdey the elder and the younger.” PROVENANCE: Copies of pages from books. Letters and other good junk. CONDITION: Very fine, as refinished, most likely during period of orig use. Bbls retain 95% of a correct plum brown giving excellent definition to pattern. Patent breeches, breech iron, locks, and trigger plate retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening colors in protected areas, but are mostly gray brown. Safeties retain approx 30 % of their blue. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a correct charcoal re-blue, engraving slightly washed. Stock retains nearly all of a professional rubbed oil finish, checkering competently re-cut. Patchbox cleaned to silver, and is slightly above wood. Bores are excellent. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Case retains a considerable amount of what appears to be its orig lacquer, with numerous minor scuffs, marks, and cracks. Interior cloth is very good with some insect damage, and marks from contact with gun and accessories. Label is very fine with only some minor staining. Accessories are very good. Framed papers have some slight foxing and creasing. Frame is excellent. 4-45683 MGM29 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 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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