Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
AN EXCEPTIONAL .450 / 400 (2 3/8IN) BLACK POWDER EXPRESS SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 14745,
27in. black powder only Whitworth-steel chopperlump barrels with raised partially filed rib, engraved 'MADE FOR R.B. RODDA & CO. GUN & RIFLE MANUFACTURERS, CALCUTTA.', tubes engraved 'J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON. SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL.', ivory-inlaid open sights with folding leaf sight (with silver inlay) for 200 yards, bead foresight with flip-up moonsight, Purdey patent self-opening action with hidden third bite, side-clips, removable striker discs, bolted automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' and 'BOLTED' details, arrow cocking-indicators, best fine bouquet and scroll engraving, retaining much original colour-hardening and finish, 14in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, finely engraved steel pistolgrip-cap, sling swivels and 3/4in. rubber recoil pad, weight 7lb. 15oz., in its fine brass-cornered oak and crocodile skin case (missing handle) with purple velvet lining, complete with a virtually full complement of tools and accessories (some serial numbered), including a crocodile skin cleaning kit pouch, the lid with charge specifications listing 'Powder - 80 grains Curtis & Harveys No.6; Wadding - thin card & greased cloth; Bullet - 230 grain papered express bullet; Cartridge Case - 450-400 solid drawn 2 3/8 inches'. We are kindly informed by the makers that this rifle was completed December 1893 and supplied to Messrs. Brooks Brothers.
Estimate £25,000-30,000
THE ABOVE LOT IS PURCHASED AS AN EXEMPT ITEM UNDER SECTION 58 (2) OF THE 1968 FIREARMS ACT. TO BE HELD AS A CURIOSITY OR ORNAMENT.