J. PURDEY RIFLE NO. 5263 PERCUSSION DOUBLE EXPRESS 2 GROOVE DEER STALKING RIFLE MADE FOR LORD HUNTINGFIELD WITH ORIGINAL CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

J. PURDEY RIFLE NO. 5263 PERCUSSION DOUBLE EXPRESS 2 GROOVE DEER STALKING RIFLE MADE FOR LORD HUNTINGFIELD WITH ORIGINAL CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

| Cal. 50 | .556 groove dia. 2 groove for winged conical bullet. | S# 5263 (1857). | 01-29003/MGM |

This exceptionally fine rifle and impressive assemblage of tools is pictured on page 76 of “ENGLISH SPORTING GUNS AND ACCESSORIES” by MacDonald Hastings with the caption “The flamboyance of the 19th century is reflected here, its taste for gun cases furnished cost regardless. The gunmakers weren’t slow to provide a range of gadgets for the most improbable contingencies. The rifle with its trousseau, was built by Purdey for the famous shot, Lord Huntingfield.” (Charles Andrew Vanneck (3rd Baron) who is known to have hunted with Dulip Singh in the area of Auchline, Scotland). Some of the displayed accessories are shown throughout the small monograph and an exterior view of the case is the frontispiece. The 30″ fine damascus barrels are engraved “J. Purdey 314 1/2 Oxford Street. London.” on broad flat rib fitted with one standing two nested leaf express rear sight and fine silver bead front. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with London black powder proofs for 35 bore, S#, and “JP”. The original ebony ramrod with grooved brass tip and tail (accessory screw under cap) is held by two plain pipes (sling eye on rear). Case hardened breech plugs with engraved and slotted platinum blowouts have platinum lines at rear and on scroll engraved rib extension. Original nipples are present stamped “L” & “R”. Case hardened breech iron is very finely scroll engraved. Front spring percussion locks with unusual shotgun type round bodied serpentine hammers are fitted with blued front safetys. Locks and hammers are engraved with typical Purdey small scroll “Purdey” is under each safety. It seems Lord Huntingfield was not enamoured with Purdey’s typical squared rifle hammer design and opted for these more traditional percussion hammers. Case hardened trigger plate has long engraved extension to double ball finial. Charcoal blued spurred trigger guard has open scroll on bow and S# on tang. Stock of very finely marbled and lightly figured dense European walnut measures 14-3/8″ over checkered steel buttplate with engraved short top tang. Stock features typical Purdey small double shadow line right hand cheekpiece and flat top checkering at grip and forend. Stock also features scroll engraved spring loaded patchbox on right side of butt engraved “2 3/4 “Drms.” “No 6 Powder” on inside of cover. A small gold oval on toeline is engraved with a Baron’s crown over “H” which is toward toe of sling eye matching that found on barrel. Stock attaches to barrels with captive sidebolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in its original (S# on paper dot under powder canister) quartered oak case with inset brass corners, “D” ring handle on top, and dual pivoting hook, along with key lock closure. Interior is lined in green cloth and a blue printed Purdey label is in lid. Accessories include bronze single cavity bullet mould casting conical winged bullet engraved “Lord Huntingfield” on one handle and with S# stamped on the other. A hollow pointing pin with ebony handle, bullet starter with walnut handle, a German silver powder measure marked “2 1/2 dram”, pewter oil bottle, nipple cleaning jag, patch cutter marked “32”, steel powder funnel for recharging chamber which screws into nipple hole, steel sprue cutter, 2 bullet sizers; one brass the other steel on wood base, both engraved with matching name & S#, tin patchbox, a “t” shaped nipple wrench with correct type nipples (platinum vent holes) under caps that are not marked for left & right. A covered compartment holds small “Hawksley” leather covered German silver powder flask throwing charges from 2 1/2 – 3 drams. Compartment on right side of case holds Japaned powder tin with painted “Improved” “Rifle Powder”. Cleaning equipment consists of full length brass and ebony cleaning rod and walnut handle for various accessories, jags, and mops. Book: “ENGLISH SPORTING GUNS AND ACCESSORIES” by MacDonald Hastings. Purdey Factory Letter indicating rifle was completed in 1857 for Lord Huntingfield. (Ledger entry copied on back). PROVENANCE: MacDonald Hastings (?), Mark K. Benenson Collection, Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. ANTIQUE GUN