April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms

All > Firearms > Rifle-Antique > Single Shot

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019

(1893) 27" chopper lump barrels are engraved "Made For R. B. Rodda & Co Gun and Rifle Manufacturers, Calcutta." on swamped full length matted rib. A one standing, one folding leaf U-notch rear sight and flip-up night bead front are dovetailed through. A very small silver bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into raised front portion of rib forming slight base. Tops of barrels are engraved with Purdey's famous Audley House, London address and Whitworth steel information. Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 400 express, and 82 grains of black powder. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with serial numbers, and barrel makers initials "GA" (George Aston) are on bottom of left barrel. Tube numbers "936" and "937" are on loop. A wide sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened self opening sidelock Beesley patent action features automatic safety with toggling bolt which swings to the left (most go to the right). SAFE and BOLTED are inlaid in gold. Action also features hidden third fastener, side clips, bushed strikers, engraved arrow tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action is engraved in Purdey house style rose and scroll as developed by and most likely in this case, executed by James Lucas, head engraver. As in all of his work, the scroll is very cleanly cut and bouquets nicely shaded. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate. "PURDEY'S PATENT" is on bottom of action, and blued top lever is engraved "PATENT". Blued trigger guard is engraved with usual open scroll and serial number is on tang which extends to blued and engraved steel grip cap. Very dark, intricately marbled and stump figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over brown pigskin covered recoil pad with widow's peak. Stock features long Purdey style beaded shadow line right hand cheekpiece, usual drop points, and closely spaced flat top point pattern checkering at grip. On the toe line there is a sling loop matching that on barrels, a large gold shield engraved, and royal blue enameled monogram "NS" surmounted by a seven pointed crown (The Maharaj Rana's actual name was Nihal Singh). Matching splinter non-ejector forend has forward pivoting lever release. Actioners initials "SP" (Sol Prentice) are on the iron. Weight: 8 lbs 1 oz. Gun is housed in its original oak and crocodile leather case with shaped brass corners and central medallion. Top of case is gold embossed "HIS HIGHNESS THE MAHARAJ RANA" "OF" "DHOLPOR". Left side is also embossed "400" "GAUGE" and right side "RIFLE" "NO 14741". Interior is lined in purple velvet and has black morocco leather gold embossed Purdey label in lid. Remnants of the charge card for this rifle and a hammerless gun's information label are in a compartment in case. Bottom compartment is semi french fitted for rifle and a large array of high quality accessories and loading tools, metal parts are gold plated and handles are ebony. Loading tools include a Rigby type single cavity brass mold engraved with rifle's serial number and are marked "400", two pointing pins are included, one for solid bullet and the other for hollow point. Other loading tools include a sizing die with rammers, lever type primer/ deprimer, bullet seating tool marked "J. PURDEY & SONS", and a powder measure. Other cleaning accessories include a 2-piece cleaning rod with 4-1/2" handle, two turnscrews, striker key, oil bottle, and an empty bone striker bottle. Cleaning brushes, etc. are in a crocodile skin wallet. Also included are sight covers for front and rear sights (rear sight cover engraved with this guns serial number). CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Barrels appear to have a very light, very old re-blue performed after some minor oxidation on barrels with associated light frosting on rib near retailers address. Over 90% of this finish remains, and there are some heavy marks on barrels and associated scratches across file cutting of rib 4" - 8" behind muzzles. Action and lockplates retain over 95% original case hardening color with just minor silvering on fences and beads. Top lever and trigger guard retain over 90% of their bright charcoal blue. Stocks retain most of their original hand rubbed oil finish with some loss due to refinishing of rear portion of butt associated with installation of newer pad. There are remnants of spilled glue in checkering around wrist, probably done while attempting to repair chipped piece of case. Otherwise checkering is very lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Mechanically excellent. Case sat on its back in a damp environment with crocodile skin missing and deteriorated as a consequence. Otherwise leather is good. Gold embossed lettering is legible. Later straps and handle are good. Strap retainers are broken or missing. Interior cloth also shows deterioration in lid most likely due to water damage at bottom. Label is very fine. Cloth shows compressions and rubs. Interior partitions are excellent. An 8" piece has broken out of front oak partition (in case). Accessories are very fine to excellent. MGM166.

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $10,000.00 Final prices include buyers premium: $39,000.00 Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000 Number Bids: 11	Auction closed on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

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