J. PURDEY NO. 1597 AN IMPORTANT DOUBLE PERCUSSION GAME GUN OWNED BY THE MANIGAULT FAMILY OF CHARLESTON S. CAROLINA WITH ORIGINAL CASE & ACCESSORIES

J. PURDEY NO. 1597 AN IMPORTANT DOUBLE PERCUSSION GAME GUN OWNED BY THE MANIGAULT FAMILY OF CHARLESTON S. CAROLINA WITH ORIGINAL CASE & ACCESSORIES

| Cal. 16 Bore. | S# 1597. | 01-28999/MGM |

This very interesting gun has ledger entry indicating it was built in 1828 for a Mr. Briggshurst (?) entry is crossed out. At this time James Purdey would dispose of his extra on hand inventory through his son-in-law Joseph Lang. It appears this gun was retailed through Lang as his very rare trade card is tacked to the bottom of case compartment lid. Case also contains a tin marked “Langs” “Copper Caps” “7 Haymarket” “London”. Gun has 30″ fine Damascus barrels fitted with elevated game rib engraved “I. Purdey No 314 1/2 Oxford Street London”. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#s, London proofs and “JP”. Patent breeches with S#s on hooks are fitted with platinum vented blowouts and original ring turned nipples marked “R” & “L”. Platinum lines are at rear, and rib extension is engraved with scroll. Correct ebony ramrod with brass tip and tail (worm under cap) is marked with this guns S# 2″ behind tip and is held by two plain pipes. Breech iron is near fully engraved with very nicely cut open shaded scroll. Bar locks with tall flat faced serpentine hammers having dolphin heads are fitted with rare Wyatt’s patent intercepting safety with grip release. Locks and hammers have sparse open scroll engraving and with “PURDEY” at center and “PATENT” under each safety pivot. Safety are engraved “SAFETY”. Trigger plate incorporates the remainder of the safety system with pivoting lever that must be gripped before safety disengage. This lever is engraved “PATENT”. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple type finial. Central area is engraved in shell pattern. Trigger guard has large open scroll on bow. Stock made of stump figured European walnut with some marbling measures 14-3/8″ over checkered steel butt plate with long scroll engraved top tang. Stock features swept double shadow line right hand cheekpiece, flat top checkering at grip and a rectangular silver crest plate at top of grip engraved with Manigault Coat of Arms, depicting Native American with bow and arrows over the initials “CIM” (?). Thimble is scroll engraved and stock attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through oval steel escutcheons. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .658. R .658. Restriction: L .000. R .000. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/4″. DAC: 1-1/2″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-3/8″. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 3 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun is housed in its original quartered mahogany case with duel hook fastening and inlet circular “D” ring handle. Top is inked in “C. Manigault” under handle. Interior is lined in green cloth and has blue printed Purdey label in lid inscribed “Charles I. Manigault London August 1830” along top edge. Also tacked into lid is a Purdey Factory Letter dated 1928 with information that gun was built in 1828, and the price was 55 pounds. Signed for J. Purdey & Sons by “T.P.” (Tom Purdey). Bottom compartment has paper dot inscribed with this gun’s S# under lift-out mahogany box with ivory knob containing perforated felt wads and a small glass bottle. Large, covered compartment with bone knob on cover and afore mentioned Lang trade card tacked to bottom holds correct tin bodied powder flask by Sykes with brass top and copper seams. A German silver circular capper, three unmarked steel double compartment pocket charging tubes, and a paper envelope inscribed “Small screw to make grip safety inoperable”. Open compartment contains afore mentioned Lang cap container, rare Purdey type dimpled wad punch marked with this guns S# and “S. A”, a hand-blown glass oil bottle with pontil mark on bottom, ebony handled nipple wrench with pricker, turn screw, and nipple jag. Case also contains two-piece rosewood and brass cleaning rod as well as the original key. Recent Purdey Factory Letter indicating date of completion and ledger listing copied on back. PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. ANTIQUE GUN