GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
JAMES PURDEY TWO GROOVE EXPRESS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE.JAMES PURDEYEXPRESS TRAIN DOUBLE RIFLE695870 CAL(1865) Cal. 70 bore (.442 groove diameter). This fine rifle named by Purdeys as "Express Train" due to its relatively high velocity and flat shooting, is described by J. H. Walsh (Stonehenge) in the 2nd edition of THE SHOTGUN AND SPORTING RIFLE, as: "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 rifles are all made with two grooves, the balls being a sugar loafed form and cast with two wings to fit the grooves." This fine example has 29-3/8" broad two stripe Damascus bbls with full length file cut rib engraved "J. Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford Street, London." Rear express sight is of one standing leaf and three nested folding leaves, marked for 200, 250, and 300 yards. Fine bead front is longitudinally dovetailed into rib. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs and SNs. Orig rosewood ramrod with grooved brass head and brass tail with steel worm under cap, is held by two plain pipes, rearmost of which is topped by sling eye. Patent breeches have engraved platinum blow-outs, platinum lines at rear, and appear to be fitted with orig nipples (left marked "L"). Breech iron with integral broad fences is finely engraved with shaded scroll. Front action locks are fitted with latest pattern serpentine hammers unique to Purdey rifles, and front sliding stalking safeties, which engage at half cock. Trigger plate has extended ball shaped finial for added strength. Trigger guard has tang which extends into checkered semi pistol grip. All metal parts are engraved with well cut open scroll at nearly 70% coverage. "Purdey" is on each lockplate. Hammers have stylized dolphin heads. Trigger guard is blued, and SN is at grip. Nicely fiddle figured and broadly streaked, dense European walnut stock measures 14-1/2" over coarsely checkered steel buttplate engraved with charge information of 3-1/2 drams no. 6 powder. Stock features Purdey''s classic slim shadow line beaded right hand cheekpiece, point pattern flat top checkering at grip and forend, and sling eye and vacant gold oval on toe line. Right side of stock is fitted with nicely scroll engraved round case hardened steel patchbox. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-5/16", drop at comb: approx 1-9/16". Weight: 8 lbs 7 oz. LOP: 14-1/2”. Old quartered oak case with hook closures and inset brass D-ring handle and brass corners is lined in dark green cloth, and has reproduction Purdey label in lid. Rifle fits in case well. Case contains copper bodied powder flask with embossed foliate decoration, Eely''s cap tin with gilded brass top for no. 11 caps, steel nutcracker type ball mold marked "Made in England" and "45" casting a .449 diameter ball (these 2-groove rifles shoot very well with patched round ball), and a 74 bore marked wad cutter with this rifles SN stamped on side. PROVENANCE: Listed in Unsworth''s THE EARLY PURDEYS as being extant with date of sale of 1856, obviously a transposition of numbers, as all of the rifles in the 6900 range were made in 1865. Purdey records indicate rifle was completed for Sir Edmund Filmer, (member of the House of Commons), at a cost of 84 pounds. Wikipedia info on Sir Edmund Filmer, 9th Baronet. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished, during time of early use. Bbls retain over 90% of a fine re-brown with dramatic bold pattern over some light pitting, with some subsequent pitting and browning at muzzles. Locks, patchbox and breech iron retain over 80% of what appears to be orig case hardening color. Trigger guard retains most of what appears to be its orig bright blue, silvered and browned on edges and on tail. Stock retains most of what appear to be its orig hand rubbed oil finish with many light marks and bumps, checkering lightly worn. Heel of buttplate re-engraved. Bores are excellent, bright, sharp, and shiny throughout, with one or two very light pits towards muzzles. Locks and safeties are crisp. Case retains a considerable amount of its orig finish on exterior. Key lock and escutcheon are missing. Interior cloth is fair to good with areas on lid thinned and discolored. Reproduction label is excellent. Partitions are tight, show some relocation and have added supports. Accessories are good. Purdey''s produced a total of 809 percussion double rifles in all types and calibers; probably far fewer than 250 were double express. A fine example of the type of rifle which gave rise to our modern term "express rifle". 49266-2 MGM48 (11,500-16,500)