J. PURDEY NO. 20264 A SIDELOCK DOUBLE RIFLE MADE FOR THE INFAMOUS GORDON BENNETT WITH EXTRA .470 BARRELS, CASE, SOME ACCESSORIES, INFORMATIONAL SHEET & FACTORY LETTER

J. PURDEY NO. 20264 A SIDELOCK DOUBLE RIFLE MADE FOR THE INFAMOUS GORDON BENNETT WITH EXTRA .470 BARRELS, CASE, SOME ACCESSORIES, INFORMATIONAL SHEET & FACTORY LETTER

26-1014 | Cal. .450/.400 3-1/4″ Nitro Express, .470 Nitro Express. | S# 20264.

Purdey records indicate this fine rifle was “In Black” on 11th January 1912 and made for James Gordon Bennett Esq.” who was the editor of the New York Herald, International playboy, yacht and balloon racer, as well as the origin of the mild British oath “Gordon Bennett” denoting his unpardonable faux pas; arriving at a New York fiance’s parents New Years party stewed to the gills. He then proceeded to relieve himself in a convenient fireplace (some say it was a Grand piano). The engagement was called off and Bennett took refuge on his 121′ racing yacht “Dauntless” and left for Europe never to return to the U.S. He is also famous for his career as editor of the Herald and was responsible for financing Henry Morton Stanley and his quest to find Dr. David Livingstone in Africa, to create a front page news scoop for his paper. This rifle was made with 25-1/2″ chopper lump barrels fitted with file cut quarter rib holding one standing, one folding express rear sight and white bead front in short ramp with cover. Sunken portion of rib is engraved with Purdey’s famous Audley house address and Whitworth Steel info. Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for .400 express, 60 grains cordite and 400 grain bullet. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#s and barrel maker’s initials “GA” (long time barrel man G. Aston) on left barrel. Tube numbers “1967” & “1972” are on loop. A sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened robust Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action features non-automatic bolted safety, (“SAFE” & “BOLTED” in gold) extremely strong snap Jones underlever bolting combined with heavy side bolsters to action, side clips, and sliding 3/8″ diameter third fastener that engages short rib extension. Action also features gold plated internals, bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators and gold plated double triggers. Action and lockplates are engraved with very well cut Purdey house style rose & scroll. “J. Purdey & Sons” is on each lockplate and also appears on bottom of action over “London”. Blued trigger guard has S# engraved on tang which extends to steel grip cap. Pistol grip buttstock made from a dramatic piece of beautifully fiddle figured and well marbled flesh toned European walnut measures 14-3/4″ over Silver type pad. Stock features typical drop points, grip checkering, shadow line right hand cheekpiece, and a gold oval on toeline engraved “BE”. Matching splinter forend with Anson release is stamped with actioner’s initials “AF” (Alf Fullalove) and serves both barrel sets. Rifle is also fitted with a second set of 24″ chopper lump barrels originally made in .450 nitro that were re-bored and regulated by Marholdt (?) of Ferlach in .470 nitro at a later date. These barrels are also fitted with quarter rib engraved with charge in milled out portion of rib, and silver bead front sight. Sunken rib is marked with Purdey name and address with street numbers “57-58 Audley Street”. Barrel flats are stamped with remnants of British proofs including “Cordite-75” most other proofs have been over stamped. Bottoms of barrels are stamped “Bohler Antinit NG”, “.470 N.E.” Ferlach proofs and “JP” in an oval. A sling eye is screwed to bottom rib. MEASUREMENTS: CAST: about 1/2″ off. LOP: 14-3/4″. WEIGHT: 10 lb. 10 oz. (with .400 barrels) & 10 lb. 3 oz. (with .470 barrels). UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle and both barrel sets are housed in a later leather case with brass corners and central brass medallion engraved “450” “BIG GAME” “RIFLE” “BY JAMES PURDEY LONDON”. Interior of case is lined in light blue cloth and has green leather Purdey label in lid. Case contains original sling loops, original rear sight for .400 barrels, horn handled striker key, turn screw, small ebony handled turn screw, two piece metal cleaning rod by Parker Hale, and 4 unmarked snap caps for .450 nitro. Also included is a solid hallmarked silver engraved grip cap. A piece of paper titled “Purdey Proprietary Cartridge Rifles” detailing number of Purdey double rifles made between 1880-2014 totaling 437. A caliber breakdown estimates that “Maybe 6 rifles were made in .450/.400 N.” A brief history of rifle is on back. Purdey Factory Letter (ledger listing copied on back) with information, some of which is intriguing, including “Churchill wrote about June 1929”. There is also an unclear notation on ledger page dated April 28 1930 regarding a set of barrels over “Finished”. It’s also interesting that John (Pondoro) Taylor reports that he at one time owned a Purdey double rifle in this caliber. As this rifle was sold into the European market after the intestate Gordon Bennett’s demise from influenza in 1918; it is quite possible that this particular rifle was at one time owned by Taylor who reports his rifle weighted 10 lb. 11 oz. exactly the same as this one. Furture research in both avenues could be rewarding.  PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. I shot this very accurate rifle at 3-4 Vintager events with very fine results finishing in either 1st or 2nd place. STATUS: CURIO.