GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
RARE "GOLDEN AGE" JAMES PURDEY TOP LEVER SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE IN .400 PURDEY WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES, WITH FACTORY LETTER.J. PURDEYDBL RIFLE24330400W/CASE & TOOLSMODERN; C&R(1934) Cal. .400. 3" Straight. (.405 groove diameter) One of the earliest proprietary Purdey cartridges developed, the "400 Straight" was advertised as an "excellent firearm for deer, wild boar, etc, and has gained great popularity for tiger shooting in India." The first was made in 1906, and of the estimated fewer than 450 Purdey hammerless double rifles ever made, it was by far the most popular, with 120 examples recorded. Through intervening years many of these have been re-bored and chambered to .45-70. This orig example made in 1934 for Rajah Pancham Singh, is described on p. 335 and pictured on p. 337 of JAMES PURDEY & SONS GUN AND RIFLE MAKERS TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF EXCELLENCE by Donald Dallas. It has 25-1/2" chopper lump bbls fitted with full length rib which is matted behind one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight, and in front of raised front portion holding silver bead with flip-up night bead. Matted central portion is engraved "J. Purdey & Sons Audley House. South Audley Street. London." "Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Pressed Steel". Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 47 grains of cordite and 230 grain bullet. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, and bottom of left bbl with early Purdey bbl makers initials "GA" (G Aston). Tube nos "2960" and "2961" are on loop. A sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Small sized Beesley patent self-opening top lever sidelock action is fitted with automatic bolted safety (SAFE and BOLTED inlaid in gold), as well as raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Although most Purdey double rifle actions had side bolsters, those made for the .400 did not. However they still featured side clips and very robust third fastener which engages a visible square rib extension. Action is engraved in classic Purdey house style with well cut varying sized but small scroll surrounding rose bouquets. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate, as well as on bottom of action over "London". Blued trigger guard with open scroll engraving has SN on tang which extends to steel grip cap. Well marbled and stump figured European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over russet leather covered pad over 7/16" hard rubber lengthening piece. Factory letter indicates original LOP to be 13-1/4" over a Silver rubber heel plate. Rifle presently measures 12-1/2" to end of wood. Stock also features beaded shadow line right hand cheekpiece, along with typical drop points, point pattern checkering at grip, and a vacant gold oval on toe line which also has sling loop matching that on bbls. Matching splinter ejector forend with Anson release has inlet gold diamond in uncheckered central diamond. Actioners initials "MT" (Maurice Timbers) are on inside of iron. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/4", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Cast: neutral. Weight: 8 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 14". Orig makers oak and leather case with brass corners and round central medallion, is lined in scarlet cloth, and has small paper Purdey label in lid, which also has cut-outs lined in oak to accommodate sights. Case contains bone striker bottle, horn handled turnscrew, Purdey marked square oil bottle, and two snap caps for ".400 P". PROVENANCE: Factory letter. CONDITION: Good to fine, as partially refinished, Bbls retain 60 - 70% of what appears to be orig blue, with quite a few light marks, considerably thinned and grayed at sides from normal hand wear. Action retains 20 - 30% orig color, strong where protected. Lockplates retain approx 60% of their orig color. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish, most sharp edges preserved, checkering competently re-cut. Bores are excellent, bright, sharp, and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are on face, drop is good. Ejectors are in time. Stock is cracked through the wrist and repaired, and does not seem to flex. Case leather is still relatively light in color but has a fair number of scuffs and marks, and some staining. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is very fine with some marks and rubs. Label is considerably foxed. Accessories are good. A superbly balanced deer or moose rifle in a caliber for which brass can easily be made from readily available 9.3 x 74. 53177-1 mgm155 (20,000-30,000)