October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2018
Purdey factory letter indicates that this gun was made in 1871, and includes other specifications, as well as information as to the original owner, Maharajah Duleep Singh, who ruled the Sikh Empire from the age of 5 years old. He was kidnapped by the British crown and later exiled to Britain where he was befriended by Queen Victoria. It appears that he was an avid sportsman, and is pictured in many royal shooting parties. He also rented a house in Auchlyne, south central Scotland, and had the nickname "The Black Prince of Perthshire". This gun, number three of a set made for the maharajah has 30" Fine Damascus barrels engraved "J. Purdey & Sons 314 1/2 Oxford Street London" and "3" on narrow swamped game rib. Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and "NOT FOR BALL". Serial numbers are on bottoms of barrels. Round bodied lever over guard (Jones) action is fitted with back spring island locks having round bodied serpentine rebounding hammers with stylized dolphin heads. Action and locks are engraved with 80% coverage nicely cut small shaded scroll. Steel trigger guard has serial number on tang. Well marbled and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 - 5/8" over checkered wood butt on 1 - 1/2" ebony extension. Point pattern checkering is at grip, and a silver oval on toe line is engraved "3". Comb of stock is fitted with black morocco leather pad affixed with silver tacks. Matching fully checkered splinter forend with shaped steel tip attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Interior of iron is stamped with serial number and engraved "3". Gun is housed in an old quartered oak Purdey case with dual hook closure. Case is lined in green cloth and has blue printed Purdey Oxford Street label in lid. Label is inscribed with charge information in India ink, and has penciled in serial number and address for Major F Barins (?). Case contains ebony handled chamber brush, horn handled powder and shot measures, Purdey marked snap caps, and round oil bottle, a walnut handled striker key, a japanned brass oil container marked "British Made", and a pull through cleaning kit. CONDITION: Good to fine, as refurbished. Barrels retain 60 - 70% of an old Damascus re-brown with excellent definition to pattern. Action and lockplates are cleaned and toned to silver gray. Stocks refinished over numerous bumps. Checkering re-cut. Bores are excellent, bright, lightly frosted. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Locks are excellent. Case is very good retaining some original varnish with more added as maintenance, and has numerous marks and bumps. Label is very fine, wrinkled. Interior cloth is good, soiled, with some renewal. Some partitions have been moved. Accessories are generally good. Gun is accompanied by factory letter, the book QUEEN VICTORIA'S MAHARAJAH, and Wikipedia information on Duleep Singh. MGM 166 CORRECTION: Serial No. 8464.
Item Dimensions: 33x9x3
Accessories
Case with accessories
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .30 R .031
Choke
L .025 (mod) R .022 (mod)
Internal Bore Diameter
L .734 R .732
Length of Pull
14 - 3/8" cast 1/2 off