GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
JAMES PURDEY TWO GROOVE EXPRESS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES. J. PURDEY SXS D-RIFLE 6220 40 Cal. 40 Bore (.550 groove diameter, two groove rifling with slow twist). A typical Purdey express rifle of the period, Purdey's two groove was very popular, and was orig called "Express Train" due to its relatively high velocity, resulting in low trajectory. It was made to fire a conical bullet with cast in wings to engage rifling. This example has 30" Damascus bbls engraved "J. Purdey 314-1/2 Oxford Street, London" on full length flat rib fitted with one standing and three nested express rear sight. Ebony ramrod with brass head and tail is in two plain pipes, rear with sling eye. Case hardened breech plugs have engraved vented platinum blow-outs. Breech iron is nicely scroll engraved. Bar locks with front sliding safeties are fitted with third type flat faced Purdey style hammers with dolphin heads. Locks and hammers are engraved with 80% coverage exceptionally well cut varying sized shaded scroll. "Purdey" is on each plate. Trigger plate has long circular finial. Trigger guard has checkered spur forming grip. SN is on tail. Finely stump figured and dark streaked European walnut stocks measures 14-3/8" over checkered steel buttplate engraved "Charge 3 drams no. 6 powder". Stock features thin beaded shadow line cheekpiece, scroll engraved patchbox on right side, flat top checkering at grip and forend, and attaches to bbls with captive side bolt through shaped steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/8", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Neutral cast. Weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Rifle is housed in quartered oak case, possibly orig, with inlet brass corners and central D-ring handle which has pivoting hook closure. Interior is lined in reddish cloth and has old Purdey label in lid, and contains a number of correctly styled accessories for this rifle, including a brass conical bullet mold, along with a Davis type belted ball mold, and a steel and walnut bullet sizer, all three newly engraved with this guns SN. Other accessories include ebony cleaning rod, ebony handled hammer jag, along with matching nipple recess jag, 1-1/2" wad cutter, Hawksley leather bodied bag flask, nipple wrench, turnscrew, powder measure, and dusting brush. CONDITION: Fine, as completely refinished. Bbls retain most of an old re-brown. Locks have new color hardening over light pitting. Stock refinished with oil over numerous marks. Bores are very good, strong rifling, somewhat pitted. Locks are very fine. Case retains most of what appears to be its orig finish with many marks. Interior cloth renewed. Purdey label is fine, and inscribed with correct charge for this gun. Accessories are fine. An undoubtedly shootable example of this relatively hard to find and historically important rifle. They are known to shoot tightly patched round balls very well. 52999-4 MGM377 (10,000-15,000)