J. PURDEY NO. 5579 A SINGLE 2 GROOVE EXPRESS PERCUSSION RIFLE MADE FOR EARL JERMYN (1 OF ABOUT 60 FOUND IN RECORDS) WITH CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

J. PURDEY NO. 5579 A SINGLE 2 GROOVE EXPRESS PERCUSSION RIFLE MADE FOR EARL JERMYN (1 OF ABOUT 60 FOUND IN RECORDS) WITH CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

| Cal. .47 Belted (.500 groove dia.). | S# 5579 (1859). | 01-29000/MGM |

It appears that this rifle was ordered by Frederick William Hervey created Marquess of Bristol and Earl Jermyn in 1826, who died in 1859. Factory ledger states that this rifle was built in 1859 for Earl Jermyn with later note “Presented to Mr. Hammond”. A scan of Unsworth’s listing of rifle information between 1853-1867 indicates that fewer than 60 single rifles were made in possible express calibers. This lovely rifle has 30-1/2″ fine Damascus octagon barrel with under rib fitted with one standing, two nested leaf express rear sight and silver bead front. Top flat is engraved “J. Purdey 314 1/2 Oxford Street, London.” Bottom of barrel is stamped with S#, “JP”, “45”, and London black powder proofs. Patent breech with engraved bolster, vented platinum blowout, and platinum line at rear is scroll engraved on top flat. Nipple is correct rifle style with platinum bottom vent and is likely original. An ebony ramrod with horn knob tip and blued steel tail mounts through two plain pipes; rear with sling eye. Breech iron is near completely scroll engraved. Front spring right hand lock with tall Purdey style rifle hammer, and front sliding safety is engraved with well cut open scroll; “PURDEY” is at center. Trigger plate has spurred circular finial which is also scroll engraved. Blued trigger guard with checkered pistol grip type tang has S# on tang behind grip. Very attractive stump figured and finely marbled half stock with horn tip measures 14-1/8″ over checkered steel butt plate engraved “CHARGE” “3 1/2 drams No 6 Powder”. Stock features double shadow line swept right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering at grip and around for end, sling eye on toe line, and a spring-loaded patch box on right side of butt which is engraved with open scroll. Patch box contains about 40 greased patches and 2-winged projectiles which fit into recesses in thick felt base. Stock attaches to barrel through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. MEASUREMENTS: LOP: 14-1/8″. WEIGHT: 8 lb. 3 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in Purdey quartered oak case with inlet brass corners and circular “D” ring handle which has pivoting hook and key lock closure. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth and has smaller than normal blue printed Purdey label in lid inscribed “Charge for this rifle is” “4 drams of No 6 coarse grain powder” “as made by Curtis & Harvey”. Case is not original to this gun but was made for a single percussion rifle of a larger caliber; S# dots have been removed. Rifle fits case fairly well; barrel channel is longer by 1″; stock is a tight fit. Case contains brass mold with hollow base plug casting a conical .530 diameter bullet. Mold is not correct but looks good in case. There are two covered compartments one containing a dark green leather covered powder flask marked “PATENT” that throws charges between 2-1/2 & 3-1/4 drams. The other contains: “T” shaped nipple wrench with pricker, spare nipple and turn screw bit under caps, a horn handled turn screw, ebony handled nipple jag, wooden bullet starter, 10 or so winged projectiles, .45 caliber bore buttons, and a key. An open compartment contains suede leather carrying strap with “QD” swivels. Purdey Factory Letter with info as above (Ledger listing copied on back.). PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. I carried this very accurate rifle for many years during the N.H. primitive weapon season. ANTIQUE GUN