JAMES PURDEY NO. 11750 AN ISLAND LOCK TOP LEVER SHORT BARRELED .450 BPE HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE IN SUPERB CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

JAMES PURDEY NO. 11750 AN ISLAND LOCK TOP LEVER SHORT BARRELED .450 BPE HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE IN SUPERB CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

01-28994 | Cal. 450 BPE. | S# 11750.

This dynamic fast handling double rifle was possibly made for wild boar shooting and has 25-3/4″ chopper lump steel barrels fitted with full length file cut rib holding single standing leaf rear sight marked for 100 yards and silver bead front sight. Smooth portion of rib in front of sight is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London.” Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs. Bottoms of barrels are stamped “440” with S#s and barrel maker’s initials “GA” (G. Aston head barrel maker). A sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Round bodied top lever action features side clips, hidden third fastener and double triggers. Back spring island locks are fitted with round bodied serpentine rebounding hammers and front sliding stalking safetys. Action and locks are engraved with near full coverage Purdey house style, miniscule rose & scroll as most likely done by James Lucas (head engraver). “James Purdey & Sons” is on each lockplate. Top lever is engraved “PATENT” and bottom of action with “PURDEY’S PATENT”. Blued trigger guard with open scroll on bow has S# on tang which extends to engraved steel grip cap. Buttstock made from a superb piece of stump figured European walnut with smoky marbling measures 14-1/2″ over checkered steel buttplate engraved “CHARGE 4-3/4 DRs No 6”. Stock features double shadow line right hand cheekpiece, flat top point pattern grip checkering, along with a sling eye and vacant silver oval on toeline. Matching splinter forend with Anson release has actioner’s initial “I” (unknown) on iron. MEASUREMENTS: LOP: 14-1/2″. WEIGHT: 8 lb. 6 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in its original oak and leather case with brass corners and central medallion. Case is lined in scarlet cloth and has correct period small Purdey paper label in lid, along with charge card for this particular rifle. Case is correctly configured for 26″ barrels and contains: a best quality steel bullet mold casting a 440 diameter, inch long multi-grooved projectile. One side of handle is engraved “7259”. Although this number does not match this rifle, mould is of the correct size and type and fits case well. Other contents include: bone striker bottle marked with this rifle’s S#, containing spare strikers and springs; an offset striker key, 2 turn screws, and powder measure all with ebony handles; an ebony rammer; pull through cleaning kit; and bore brushes in red Morocco leather wallet. A covered compartment contains: Purdey marked 450 cal. broken shell extractor and 2 sling loops. Case also contains exterior straps. Purdey Factory Letter indicating rifle was completed in March of 1884 for H. T. Fenwick (Colonel Henry Thomas, British Army officer and Liberal Party politician). Count Valdegrana is listed as owner of rifle S# 11751, a “fellow” to this rifle). Later note: sighted for “100 yds 1/2 ball of front sight in bottom edge of spot”. (copy of ledger entry on back).  PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection.  STATUS: ANTIQUE.