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Product Details
J. PURDEY, LONDON
A MOST UNUSUAL 16-BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 3429,
for 1841 and with subsequent conversion to pinfire and a further conversion back to percussion, with browned damascus multi-groove rifled barrels, flat unsigned top-rib with bead fore-sight and rear-sight of a standing notch with further folding leaf, fully scroll engraved top-tang, border and scroll engraved brushed bright bar-action locks signed 'PURDEY' and with evidence of previous mechanisms including filled apertures for safety bolts, swing under-lever action (still operational), chequered walnut butt-stock with raised cheek-piece, iron furniture including engraved patchbox and chequered heel-plate, lower tang with finger-spur, chequered walnut splinter fore-end and nickel-tipped under-barrel wood ramrod, together with a letter and excerpt from the Purdey ledger
Provenance: According to the Purdey letter, this rifle was ordered in 1840 and delivered in 1841 for a Sir J. B. Mill of Mottisford Abbey, Romsey, Hampshire. It was supplied with 28in. barrels and a leather case. A single rifle, no. 2152 was part exchanged against the purchase but the remainder was not paid until 1844.
Purdey are unable to confirm whether they carried out the conversion work to pinfire as there is no further mention of the rifle in their ledgers. They are also most unlikely to have carried out the reconversion to percussion
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Estimate £1,000-1,500