October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
According to factory letter this gun was completed in October 1863 for Dr. Ludin. It was a 12 bore pinfire and has been converted to center fire. A second letter states "from the style and quality of alteration, I am sure this was done by Purdeys". 30" Bold two stripe Damascus barrels are engraved "J. Purdey. 314 1/2 Oxford Street, London." on narrow swamped game rib. Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs. Lumps are fitted with early type bridled extractor. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with serial numbers. Round bodied action fitted with Purdey's long guard lever, similar to a Jones except rear portion of lever has been extended to an integral trigger guard having long tang with scrolled end. When gun is open, lever extends about 10" to the right and triggers are exposed. To make this situation safe, a trigger blocking mechanism is incorporated in rear portion of long trigger plate. When lever is in closed position, a small boss on lever pushes internal safety lever upward unlocking triggers (Wyatt's Patent, a holdover from flintlock days). This action is normally found on double rifles. Action is fitted with peninsula back spring locks having short round bodied serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads. The conversion from pinfire is nearly undetectable, with pin holes in barrels plugged, new hammers installed, and standing breech re-worked for center fire. All new work is engraved to match original. Action and locks are engraved with 60% coverage very well cut shaded scroll. "Purdey" is at the top of each lockplate and "Patent" is on top of action. Guard lever is also scroll engraved, and has serial number at grip. Superb, beautifully marbled and nicely figured flesh-toned Circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14" over checkered wood butt. Flat top checkering with truncated front borders is at grip. A vacant silver oval is on toe line. Matching splinter forend with shaped metal tip is near fully checkered and attaches to barrels with sliding side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Gun comes in its original quartered oak case with dual hook closure and D ring handle on top. Guns serial number is in ink on round paper dot under compartment cover. Case is lined in green cloth, and has blue and black ink Purdey Oxford Street label in lid which is inscribed with loading data and instructions in India ink. Case contains an array of high quality cleaning and loading implements, which appear to be original, consisting of two piece ebony and brass cleaning rod with 6" handle piece, and ebony and German silver roll crimping tool marked Purdey, along with matching ebony handled German silver powder and shot measure by Dixon, wad rammer, case mouth reamer with maple handle, case hardened mainspring vice, Hawksley German silver broken case extractor, mops, brushes and key. Newer accessories include a square Purdey marked oil bottle and a pull through cleaning kit. CONDITION: Excellent, as refurbished by Purdeys at time of conversion to center fire. Barrels retain 85 -90% brown with small areas of silvering. Action and locks retain 60 - 70% case hardening color, silvered from normal hand wear. Stocks retain nearly all of their possibly original hand rubbed oil finish with some light marks and scratches. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Case possibly refinished at the same time, retains most of its varnish with some staining around handle and lid. Original interior cloth is very fine to excellent with some light soiling and compressions. Label is very fine, lightly foxed, and with one small rub through. Partitions are generally good. Accessories are very good to fine. A truly fine early Purdey. This gun is listed in THE EARLY PURDEYS by L. Patrick Unsworth as an early breech loader, and was not known to the author. MGM 167
Accessories
case plus accessories
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .034 R .036
Internal Bore Diameter
L .735 R .735
Length of Pull
14" cast 1/4 off