April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Beautiful Purdey boxlock rifle made originally as a .450 Express and later rebored to .45-70 by Daniel Fraser and so marked on the bottom of the barrel tubes. Top rib is matted near breach and muzzle with plain engraved portion at center that says "J. Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street London." Top of left barrel marked "Cal .45/70" and barrels with three flip up rear sights and blade front sight, bottom rib with sling eye. Splinter forend with Anson type push button release is near fully checkered with circular edges towards breech ends. Buttstock is of beautifully figured French walnut, has a steel capped pistol grip, and is checkered in two point pattern through the wrist with tear drops behind boxlock action. Buttstock with edged cheekpiece on left side, sling eye and silver oval near toe engraved with owners initials "L.E.C." and terminates with a checkered butt. Double triggers, extractors, and auto safety. The action is nicely scroll engraved in about 80% coverage and nicely engraved "J. Purdey and Sons" on sides. Case colored triggerplate is also very nicely scroll engraved, as is blued floorplate. Blued triggerguard with scroll engraving and long tang with serial number and scroll. Top of action is nicely scroll engraved as is blued top lever and top tang. "SAFE" in gold in front of safety. Beaded fences. Housed in a beautiful oak and leather case with reproduction tools. Case is red felt lined with original label on top and owners initials "L.E.C' found embossed on top (matching oval at toe). CONDITION: Excellent at partially restored. Barrels retain nearly all of an older blued finish, likely applied by Daniel Fraser at the time of caliber update. Action retains about 20-30% original case colors. Floorplate retains about all of its properly restored blue, as does triggerguard. Stocks have been expertly restored and retain about all of their restored finish. Bores are bright and shiny. Mechanics are crisp. Action is tight and barrels are on face. Case is fair with leather wear, felt lining has been restored and tools are replacements as noted above. All in all, this is a dandy rifle and will last for many more lifetimes!