JAMES PURDEY NO. 9293 A RARE PURDEY/HENRY SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK RIFLE (41 FOUND IN RECORDS)

JAMES PURDEY NO. 9293 A RARE PURDEY/HENRY SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK RIFLE (41 FOUND IN RECORDS)

| Cal. .450 BPE. | S# 9293. | 01-28997/MGM |

Factory records indicate rifle was completed in 1874, built for E. Herman and “Action purchased in Samuel B. Allport of Birmingham”. It was finished by Purdey’s with 26-3/4″ tapered round barrel with full length matted rib holding one standing, one folding leaf express rear and silver bead front sights. Un-matted portion of rib is engraved “James Purdey 314 1/2 Oxford St. London.”. Bottom of barrel with forend removed is stamped with S#, London proofs and barrel maker’s initials “WB” (Most likely a known barrel maker of the period W. Boulter.). Henry patent dropping block action is fitted with back spring, left hand lock with non-rebounding hammer, front sliding safety, and “faceted” (shaped) lockplate. Action is engraved with about 40% coverage very nicely cut open scroll. Top of lockplate is engraved “James Purdey”, and top of action “Henry’s” “Patent”. S# is on trigger guard tang. Horn capped pistol grip buttstock of stump figured and well marbled European walnut measures 14-3/8″ over steel buttplate. Stock features usual Purdey double shadow line right hand cheekpiece and silver oval on toe line engraved “H” or “JL” (?). Matching for end with Alexander Henry type grooved tip attaches to barrel with captive side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: LOP: 14-3/8″. WEIGHT: 7 lb. 4 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Purdey Factory letter indicating above information along with “Sighted to 100 200 & 250 yds.” “Charge 3 3/4 No. 6”, and “10th April 1883 Made to shoot 5″ lower than it did.”. (Ledger listing copied on back.)  PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. ANTIQUE GUN