GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE PURDEY BASTIN SLIDE ACTION PINFIRE DOUBLE RIFLE WITH MAHOGANY CASE.PURDEYSXS675620 gaCal. 20 ga. This is an exceptionally rare rifle with only 27 slide action guns found in Purdey's records, 6 of which are rifles. Patrick Unsworth in his book THE EARLY PURDEYS relates that only 4 slide action weapons are known to exist, 2 shotguns and 2 rifles. This particular rifle makes the third rifle known. The slide action locking system is quite similar to that used in the Borchardt and Luger, being toggles. In this instance the toggle is retained in closed position by snap catch at end of long forward hinging lever. It is interesting to note that the tops of the pinfire hammers have holes drilled up through tips to catch the cartridge pins while bbls are being slid forward, and act as extractors. This rifle has 30" fine Damascus bbls with raised flat rib, file cut at rear behind three folding leaf express sight and at muzzle behind steel bead front. Top of rib is engraved "J. Purdey. 314 1/2 Oxford Street, London." Bottoms of bbls are stamped with "JP". SN is on slide. Sling eye is attached to square block on bottom of bbls. Pinfire action has large steel housing for toggle slide system. Peninsula back action locks with rear sliding safety bolts are mounted with tall flat bodied serpentine pinfire hammers. Action and locks are engraved with very well cut shaded open medium sized scroll. "Purdey" is in small letters on each lockplate. Hammers have stylized dolphin heads. Engraved steel trigger guard with checkered spur grip extension, has SN on rear portion of tang. Lightly streaked and figured dense European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over checkered steel buttplate, engraved "Charge" "2-1/2 dms no. 6. Powder". Stock features classic flat top checkering with mullered borders, beaded shadow line thin Purdey style cheekpiece, and a vacant small silver oval and sling eye on toe line. Drop at heel: Approx 2-1/4", drop at comb: Approx 1-1/2". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz. LOP 14-1/4". Mahogany case with pivoting hook latches and inlet circular D-ring handle on lid, is lined in purple cloth with blue printed Purdey label on lid. Case contains Hawksley 12-ga horn handled chamber brush with brass cover; round plated oil bottle marked "Made in England"; another plated oil bottle marked "G & J W Hawksley"; 2 ebony handled turnscrews; M. Marsh 2-pc brass and ebony cleaning rod; homemade paper case trimmer using an old cutter; and a rosewood handled case reamer; 23 trimmed pinfire cases by RWS and 2 Eley Bros pinfire cases marked "gas tight", along with one loaded pinfire cartridge, cleaning mop and jag, and extra Edwardian vintage paper Purdey label. CONDITION: Very fine as partially restored. Bbls retain nearly all of a very fine chocolate re-brown with excellent definition to pattern. Action retains traces of its orig case hardening color, in protected areas. The balance being a very pleasing bright to matte silver. Lockplates and hammers retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening color, which has thinned and silvered at normal wear points, and is fairly vivid where protected. Stock retains most of its orig oil finish, a bit dry, with numerous marks and minor dings from handling and use. Checkering is slightly worn, and has not been re-cut, except for small area on right side of grip, where it appears dent has been removed. Trigger guard retains a considerable amount of its bright blue, but is mostly silver, as is buttplate. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny, with strong rifling throughout. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Exterior finish of case is fine with a few minor marks and 4" crack in lid at left rear. Case has been re-lined, cloth is excellent. Original Purdey label is slightly foxed with some chips and cracks and 3 small areas rubbed through. Turnscrews and cleaning rod, as well as shortened cartridges are as new. Other accessories are fine. 50754-4 MGM139 (14,000-20,000)