JAMES PURDEY NO. 25145. A .369 PURDEY (28 FOUND IN RECORDS) REINFORCED FRAME TOP LEVER SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE WITH ORIGINAL SCOPE, CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER. OWNED BY A MAHARAJAH

JAMES PURDEY NO. 25145. A .369 PURDEY (28 FOUND IN RECORDS) REINFORCED FRAME TOP LEVER SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE WITH ORIGINAL SCOPE, CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER. OWNED BY A MAHARAJAH

26-933 | Cal. .369 Purdey. | S# 25145 (1937).

The .369 Purdey cartridge is base on the .450 NE case necked to .375. Of the 28 rifles in this caliber found in Purdey records most have been chamber sleeved to accept the .375 H&H cartridge. Perhaps only 10 remain in their original caliber. This fine rifle has not been converted and has 25″ chopper lump barrels fitted with quarter rib holding one standing two folding express rear sight and with provision for tip-off scope mount. Central portion of rib is gold inlaid “1” (“1” is also inlaid on top lever and forend tip). White bead front sight in tall stippled ramp is covered by sight protector. Sunken mid rib is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street, London. England.” Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for .369 express, 61 grains cordite and 270 grain bullet. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#s, left barrel with barrel maker’s initials “S.S” (Sam Simons). Tube numbers “62915” & “62916” are on loop. A sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened robust Beasley patent self-opening sidelock action features automatic bolted safety (“SAFE” and “BOLTED” inlaid in gold), sliding third fastener that engages short rib extension, bushed strikers, side clips, heavy bolsters to frame, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage Purdey house style rose & scroll. Maker’s name is on each lockplate as well as bottom of action over “London” “ENGLAND”. Blued trigger guard with open scroll on bow has S# on tang that extends to engraved steel grip cap. Pistol grip buttstock made from an exceptionally fine piece of crotch figured and nicely streaked European walnut measures 14-7/8″ over brown leather covered pad. Stock features classic small double beaded right hand cheekpiece, drop points, point pattern grip checkering, and sling loop matching that found on barrel on toeline. Also on toeline is a large gold oval engraved with Maharajah’s crest. Matching splinter new style ejector forend has Anson release. Inside of iron is stamped with actioner’s initials “FW” (Fred Williams). Rifle is mounted with Zeiss Zielklein 2.5X scope with three post reticle in Purdey made rings; rear engraved with S#, front with maker’s name and inlaid gold “1”. Scope has leather lens cover. MEASUREMENTS: LOP: 14-7/8″. WEIGHT: 9 lb. 6 oz. (without scope). UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in its original oak and leather case with brass corners and central medallion. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth with paper Purdey labels in lid. Rifle and accessories are housed in lift-out tray which covers a compartment to hold ammunition. This compartment presently contains (10) red and yellow boxes of Kynoch .369 Purdey cartridges. Each box contains (5) loaded with semi-pointed soft nose bullets along with exterior straps for case. Lift-out compartment has space for scope and contains a pair of Purdey marked snap caps and square oil bottle. Other accessories include ebony handle chamber brush, striker key, and turn screw. Funnel for washing out barrels, nickel striker bottle containing spare strikers and spare sight, leather lace-on muzzle protector, high quality rubber backed carrying strap and the key. Cleaning equipment includes a 2 piece brass cleaning rod, and assorted brushes and mops. Also included with rifle are a 2 die set for reloading .369 Purdey by C&H. Purdey Factory Letter indicating that rifle was completed in April 1937 for Levetus. (A retailer and clearing house for export to India and Africa.) Further note: 1938 for H.H. Nawabzada Nasw Ali Khan; telescope sight fitted. (Ledger listing copied on back.)  PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection.  STATUS: CURIO.