April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
(1938) All hammerless Purdey rifles are rare, with production of under 450 in all grades and calibers since 1880. Factory records indicate that 27 were made in this Purdey proprietary cartridge, developed to compete with Holland's now famous .375 magnum. It uses .375 diameter bullets and has ballistics on a par with Holland's .375 flanged magnum. Its parent cartridge was the .450 Nitro, and .369 Purdey brass can be made from almost any brass with this base, like the .450-400 3". A number of these rifles have been converted to .375 H&H, leaving perhaps as few as 15 examples in their original chambering. This very fine rifle made during the "Golden Age", has 25" chopper lump barrels fitted with quarter rib holding one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight. Small ivory bead is in nicely shaped front ramp. Mid rib is engraved "J. Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street. London. England." Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 61 grains of cordite and 270 grain bullet. Serial numbers are stamped on bottoms of barrels, and barrel makers initials "A.H" (Alf Harvey) are on bottom of left barrel. Tube numbers "63231" and "63232" are on loop. Case hardened self opening sidelock action features automatic safety with pivoting bolt (both SAFE and BOLTED are inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, patent third fastener engaging rib extension, side clips, nicely filed reinforcing bolsters, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action is fitted with later ejector system without cross bar. Action is engraved in classic Purdey house style well cut small scroll with rose bouquet highlights. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate and on bottom of action over "London" and "ENGLAND". Forend iron, top lever, trigger plate, and trigger guard are blued and engraved with matching scroll. Serial number is on trigger guard tang, which extends to case hardened and engraved steel grip cap. (Purdey's policy was to store spare front sight under grip cap, and that sight is still present for this rifle.) Dark, well veined, and lightly fiddle figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/4" (neutral cast) over Pachmayr solid red basket weave pad. Stock features typical Purdey slim beaded shadow line right hand cheekpiece, drop points, and closely spaced point pattern checkering. A sling loop matching that on barrel, as well as a vacant silver oval, are on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Actioners initials "FW" (most likely Fred Williams, but possibly Frank Winter) are on iron. Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz. Rifle is housed in green canvas leather trimmed case by Brady, and 57/58 South Audley Street Purdey label (post 1955) is in lid. Case contains a pair of keys. Also included with rifle are six red and yellow boxes of Kynoch .369 Purdey once fired brass, as well as a set of RCBS loading dies with hand priming tool. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Barrels retain nearly all of a very well done quality re-black. Barrel matting softened a bit. Action and lockplates retain over 90% original case hardening color, silvering on sharp edges and on bottom from normal hand wear. Trigger guard and top lever have only a bit of silvering on sharp edges. Stock retains essentially all of a hand rubbed oil finish over some marks, edges slightly rounded. Checkering cleaned. Bores are excellent, shiny, with sharp rifling throughout. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case is excellent. Interior is excellent with some rubs, label somewhat soiled. A great handling Purdey rifle with few apologies to make. MGM162.
Accessories
Case, Reloading Equipment
Caliber/Bore
.369 Nitro Express
Drop at Heel
Approx 2 - 3/4"
Paperwork
Yes, factory letter with copy of ledger page, consignors notes, targets