Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
A FINE .470 NITRO EXPRESS DELUXE SINGLE-TRIGGER SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 26495,
25 1/2in. nitro chopperlump barrels, finely matted sight rib with open sights and folding leaf sight with gold-inlaid sight lines and marked for 100 and 200 yards, ramp-mounted gold bead fore-sight, the tubes engraved in script 'J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON. ENGLAND', treble-grip action with side-clips and side-bolsters, removable striker discs, elongated top-strap bolted manual safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' and 'BOLTED' details, cocking-indicators, the fences carved in high relief with oak leaves and acorns on a finely matted background, the action, lockplates and furniture fully engraved with scrolling arabesque scrollwork on a matt background, retaining much colour-hardening and finish, 14 1/2in. figured pistolgrip stock (crack at hand) with cheekpiece, engraved steel pistolgrip-cap (with trap), sling swivels and including 3/4in. rubber recoil pad, weight 10lb. 3oz., in its brass-cornered oak and leather case
Provenance: The vendor has kindly supplied the following information regarding the rifle:
"James Purdey and Sons Ltd was contacted in March 2008 and provided a letter to the current rifle owner regarding origin. The rifle is described by Purdey as being completed in July 1958 by James Purdey and Sons of London, England for Messers L'Alcedo. The specifications were described as .470 Purdey hammerless double rifle, 65 cm (25 1/2') barrels, top action, third grip with side clips to action, fixed V rear sight and leaf sights marked at 100 and 200 yards, foresight with guard, single trigger, snap forend, bolted (stalking safety), non-auto safe, self-opening, ejectors, large scroll engraving, oak leaf detonating, pistol grip with cheekpiece, sling swivels, leather covered Silver's heel pad, and weight 4.8 kg (approximately 10.6 lbs.).
Additional rifle information and features of note include the extended top and bottom straps, stocked for the right hand, and 36.5 cm (approximately 14.37') length of pull. The rifle comes housed in the maker's wood and leather case with accessories. The rifle was originally regulated for Kynoch .470 NE ammunition with 500 grain solids and soft nosed bullets.
The rifle was purchased in 1965 by Italo Viganotti; father of the rifle's current owner, Franco Viganotti. It was purchased by Italo from Count Bubi Bossi Pucci, a member of the great aristocratic family in Tuscany. This rifle caliber was chosen by Italo as he planned to use it for a variety of planned dangerous game hunts to include buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard.
In 1960, Italo began hunting Africa in Somalia. Subsequently he completed approximately 15 estimated safaris in Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana. He utilized the Purdey beginning in 1965. The rifle has proven itself on a variety of game including 10 elephants (one 100 pound, another over 80 pounds, and the balance not under 60 pounds), 4 lions, 4 leopards, numerous buffalo, and plains game. Rowland Ward Record animals taken by Italo included buffalo, sable, Grant's gazelle, and Gnu.
Italo was an Honorary Associate Member of the East African Professional Hunters Association. He has hunted with Professional hunters such as Glen Cottar and Danny McCallum. Italo stopped his hunting career in 1976. The current owner used the rifle in 1972 to hunt elephant and buffalo."
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Estimate £35,000-50,000
S1