J. PURDEY RIFLE NO. 4703 PERCUSSION DOUBLE EXPRESS 2 GROOVE THE WORLD’S FIRST DOUBLE EXPRESS RIFLE WITH ORIGINAL CASE, SOME ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

J. PURDEY RIFLE NO. 4703 PERCUSSION DOUBLE EXPRESS 2 GROOVE THE WORLD’S FIRST DOUBLE EXPRESS RIFLE WITH ORIGINAL CASE, SOME ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

01-28993 | Cal. 47, 2 Groove. | S# 4703.

James Purdey II who took over running the business in the 1850’s was very much interested in rifles and experimented with the concept of a rifle firing a relatively light weight small caliber bullet at high velocity resulting in long point blank range. Mr. Purdey called these rifles “Express Train” after the fastest mode of transportation of the day. The term has been shortened to simply “Express” and is still used to this day. The rifles were 2 groove at about 50 caliber and used relatively large charges of #6 powder. J.H. Walsh (Stonehenge) a noted writer of the day said “Foremost in simplicity and in established fame stand Mr. Purdey’s rifles, to possess one of which has been the object of most deerstalkers and rifle shots for many years”. The dimension book finds rifle No. 4700 to be “experimental 2 groove”. It was however, a single 16 bore, so not a true Express. The first rifle fitting the “Express” criteria is No. 4703; which is this particular rifle. It is listed as a 40 bore double sold 8 October 1852. It has 30″ barrels made of dramatically patterned skelp damascus. Narrow flat top rib is engraved “J. Purdey 314 1/2 Oxford Street London” and is fitted with one standing, two folding nested leaf rear and triangular white bead front sights. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#, London proofs, and “JP”. The original greenheart ramrod with grooved brass tip and tail is held by two plain pipes; rear with heavy sling eye. Case hardened breech plugs feature engraved platinum vented blowouts, platinum lines at rears and simple scroll engraving on rib extension. Blued nipples appear to be replacements and are stamped “R” and “L”. Case hardened breech iron is near completely scroll engraved. Front spring locks fitted with Purdey’s distinctive square bodied serpentine rifle hammers with circular bases are engraved with stylized dolphin heads. Front sliding safetys are fitted and locks are engraved with sparse well cut scroll. “PURDEY” is under each safety. Case hardened trigger plate has extended finial with ball end. Bright blued trigger guard with checkered spur forming grip has open scroll on bow and S# at rear of tang. Stock is made of a very fine piece of very dense European walnut having dramatic fiddle figure and measures 14-1/2″ over checkered steel buttplate with medium length top tang. Stock features double shadow line right hand cheekpiece, well cut square checkering at grip and around forend, as well as a sling eye on toeline. It is interesting to note that no crestplate is present adding to the evidence that this rifle was made during development of the Express type rifle and not for a customer. A spring loaded patchbox on right side of butt is engraved with a whirl of scrolls. Inside of cover plate is engraved “Powder 2 drms” (The area after the “2” has been peaned removing a fraction denoting a change of powder charge during development.) Stock attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in its original quarter sawn mahogany case with dual pivoting hook and key lock closure. A typical circular brass “D” ring handle is let into top. Interior is lined in green cloth and a blue printed Purdey label is in lid. One covered compartment with small brass knob has rifle S# on paper dot in bottom of compartment and on bottom of lid. This compartment contains a very rare and most likely original leather sling with clevis snap for heavy ring on barrel and “S” hook attachment for thinner ring on stock. Another covered compartment also with S# on lid contains a tin bodied powder flask by Sykes. Charger is unmarked but appears to be adjustable from 1-3/4-2-1/4 drams. Other accessories include a steel round ball mould marked “WD” (William Davis) marked “Improved No 10”, also marked with S# 14627. Although not correct, it fits compartment very well. Also included are a “T” shaped nipple wrench with pricker and new condition correct style (slotted vented platinum blowouts on bottoms) nipples under caps: a brass 2 dram powder measure, small pewter oil bottle, bright polished and case hardened main spring vise, a pair of ebony handled nipple jags, and a tin of Eley’s percussion caps with gold plated brass top. Purdey Factory Letter indicating rifle was completed 1852 and sold to Lord Vernon with note: “The first 40-bore express rifle”. (Ledger entry copied on back.)  PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. STATUS: ANTIQUE.