GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT, EARLY PURDEY DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES, OWNED AND USED BY R. GORDON CUMMING, DURING HIS "FIVE YEARS IN THE FAR INTERIOR OF SOUTH AFRICA", ONE OF THE EARLIEST ACCOUNTS OF SPORT HUNTING AND TRAVEL IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, 1843-1848, INCLUDING FIRST AMERICAN EDITION TWO VOLUME SET OF THESE BOOKS (HARPER & BROTHERS, 1851). J. PURDEY SXS PERCUSSION DBL RIFLE 1933 14BORE Cal. 14 bore. (.697 Groove diameter, 10 wide and deep grooves, to take a 16 bore ball.) This interesting rifle incorporating Wyatt's patent grip and intercepting safety sear mechanism, is the 11th double rifle listed in Purdey's records. It was put to auction in 1982 by the Gordon Cumming family, as related by L. Patrick Unsworth in his book THE EARLY PURDEY'S, where he recounts the life and hunting career of R. Gordon Cumming: "he undertook a five year long hunting expedition in South Africa, and his book, A Hunter's Life in South Africa, gives a fascinating account of his experiences commencing with the creation of an armory including three dbl rifles by Purdey, William Moore, and Dickson of Edinburgh." "Gordon Cumming's expedition commenced in 1843 and his book narrates many successful encounters with elephant." (He shot over 100.) "However one in particular (no doubt thrilling at the time but rather nauseating to the modern sportsman) when accompanied by his dog, Wolf, vividly illustrates the lack of knock down power of the 16 bore on big game." He now quotes from "A Hunters Life ..." "having lost my two grooved rifle" (the Dickson, which blew-up) "I resolved to try what could be done with the double barrel Moore and Purdey rifles carrying 16 to the pound ... ". "Coming upon a group of elephant", he continues, "spurring my horse in another moment I was in the middle of them closely followed by Johannes (a servant) and in a twinkling the finest bull had received the contents of the Moore and Purdey behind the shoulder ... I was in a precious hurry, as the sun was setting and I kept loading and firing at dueling distance. On receiving the 24th shot he stood trembling violently for several seconds, and then fell forward on his tusks, after which he rolled over and rested on his side." Unsworth speculates that number "1933" was not the rifle used because it was made in 1830, "there is every likelihood that it was used by Roualeyn when at home at Altyre". In further reading of "A Hunters Life ..." Roualeyn Gordon Cumming states "The Purdey was also a tried friend, both it and the heavy German" (single 12 bore rifle) "having been with me in several campaigns on the plains and in the jungles of Hisdostan." R. Gordon Cumming went to India in 1839 to join the 4th Madras Light Cavalry, and most likely he purchased Purdey "1933" as a second hand rifle before his posting, not being able to afford a new rifle on a subaltern's salary. Factory ledger page indicates the rifle was made for "A Gamarell" (with a date of 1830) but there is a secondary notation "July 1931 L/ 1830/ P57" in the ledger. At this time Purdey was disposing of guns and rifles not picked up or paid for, by clients through his son-in-law, Joseph Lang, who offered them at a discount, and the "L" in this notation may refer to such a transaction. This rifle has 28" twist bbls with slightly raised flat rib, holding one standing, two folding leaf rear sight, and silver bead front. Rib is engraved "I. PURDEY NO 314-1/2 OXFORD STREET LONDON". Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs, SN, and a very early use of "JP" indicating bbls were made by Purdey (most early Purdey guns have bbls forged by Charles Lancaster). A very stout greenheart ramrod SNed to this rifle with heavy brass head and tail, is held by two plain pipes, rear with sling eye. Breeches have vented platinum blow-outs and some scroll engraving on rib extension. SNs are on hooks. Breech iron is engraved with very finely cut shaded scroll. Bar locks are fitted with tall flat faced serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads, as well as aforementioned external intercepting sears as part of Wyatt's patent which engage notches on bottoms of hammers, engraved with sea monsters. Triggers cannot be pulled until grip is squeezed. Locks are engraved with nicely cut open scroll, and "PURDEY". Safeties are engraved "SAFETY" on levers, and "PATENT" around its pivots. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial matching thimble. Blued trigger guard has more open scroll on bow within knotwork borders, and grip safety lever is engraved "PATENT". Very finely marbled and well figured European walnut straight grip stock measures 14-1/8" over steel buttplate with long top spur engraved with a bird. Right side of stock has a patchbox with spring loaded cover engraved with a stag and hind in a very early incidence of both a patchbox and game engraving on Purdey rifles. Stock also features small beaded shadow line right hand cheekpiece, flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip and forend. A sling eye is on toe line. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side bolt through oval engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-11/16", drop at comb: approx 1-13/16". Weight: 9 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Rifle is housed in its orig mahogany case with dual pivoting hook closure, inlet arched brass corners, and circular D-ring handle. Case is lined in green cloth and has blue and white paper Purdey label in lid, and includes a fine array of orig accessories including correct vintage and style tin bodied powder flask throwing a 1-1/2 dram charge (correct for this rifle), rosewood leather faced loading mallet with matching bullet ball starter, ebony handled nipple wrench with pricker which fits nipples installed in and provided with this rifle, steel nutcracker type ball mold marked "14", and another long handled steel mold marked "WD" (William Davis) casting a short 16 bore conical bullet, small round steel oil bottle, horn bottle containing spare nipples, early style 2-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod with 7" handle and long 27" end, various cleaning brushes and turk's heads and jags which fit ramrod tip, as well as two (right and left) spare mainsprings, as possibly needed on an extended adventure into the wilds of Africa. Right hand compartment has circular paper dot glued to bottom inscribed with this guns SN in typical Purdey fashion. PROVENANCE: Copy of ledger on page 45 JAMES PURDEY & SONS GUN AND RIFLE MAKERS 200 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE by Donald Dallas. Copy of listing of Purdey rifles by SN on page 146 THE EARLY PURDEYS by L. Patrick Unsworth, where this gun in listed and described "of some rarity as it is fitted with patent intercepting sears and grip safety" "at one time owned by the Gordon Cumming family." Two volume set, first American edition of FIVE YEARS OF THE FAR INTERIOR OF SOUTH AFRICA aka A HUNTERS LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA by R. Gordon Cumming (Harper & Brothers, 1851) in which this rifle is mentioned on many occasions. These books are filled with interesting bits of natural history and Cumming's meetings with famous historical personages such as "Livingstone" and Oswell, along with his troubles with tsetse flies, and loss of many oxen, horses, and dogs due to "sleeping sickness" as well as marvelous adventures, as the first British subject to see many areas of northern South Africa. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain a considerable amount of their twist pattern, with some scattered pitting on breech ends, especially on sides. Breech iron and locks retain most of their orig case hardening color, again showing some cleaning and scattered light pitting, mostly on left lock. Trigger guard retains about half of its orig blue. Buttplate has a considerable amount of blue remaining. Stock retains over 80% of its orig french polish with a considerable amount of marks and scratches, some fairly deep. Bores are very fine, shiny, lightly frosted. Locks are crisp. Safeties work well. Exterior of case has a myriad of marks, scratches, and rubs, as one might expect from being carefully stowed in a wagon for extended periods. Interior cloth is good with some rubs through from contact with rear sight and rifle. Label considerably foxed, soiled, and rubbed. Partitions are good. Accessories are fine. Books are good, intact, ends of spines tattered. Interiors somewhat foxed. An incredible survivor of one of the most interesting expeditions and narratives of African lore. 52440-2 MGM190 (35,000-60,000) CASED W/ACCESS, 2 BOOKS