(A) STUNNING AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE JAMES PURDEY AND SONS HAMMER UNDERLEVER

(A) STUNNING AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE JAMES PURDEY AND SONS HAMMER UNDERLEVER 8 BORE DOUBLE RIFLE. Circa 1886, 8 bore. This very fine “best” quality rifle is pictured and described in Donald Dallas’s book "PURDEY: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY" on page 98. It has 24" dovetailed fine 3-stripe Damascus barrels with raised, file cut full length rib. Unmatted section of barrel in front of one standing, 3 folding leaf platinum lined rear express sight, is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London”. Gold bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into rib. Bottoms of barrels have serial numbers. Bottom of left barrel is stamped “AM” (A. Meers, barrel maker). Barrel flats show provisional and definitive black powder proofs for 8 bore. Bores have 17 groove Enfield type rifling and measure .844. Sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Massive case hardened action features finely filed fences, side clips, and snap Jones underlever with third fastener at back of lump. Non-rebounding island locks have round bodied serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads. Stalking safeties at front end of locks engage at half cock. “J. Purdey & Sons” is engraved on lockplates. All metal parts are very finely engraved with beautifully executed scroll and bouquet engraving in typical Purdey house style (probably the work of J. Lucas, head engraver at Purdey’s at the time that this rifle was made). Steel trigger guard has scroll engraving and serial number at grip. Nicely marbled and boldly stump figured full pistol grip Circassian walnut buttstock measures 14 - 7/8" over Silver type pad with half inch base plate. Stock features large oval shadow line cheekpiece, 22 LPI checkering with mullered borders, steel grip cap, swivel loop, and vacant silver oval on toe line. Matching large splinter forend has Anson release. Weight: 16 lbs. 15 oz, Oversize 38" x 14" oak and leather case with central round brass medallion on lid, brass corners, brass handle reinforcements, and push button lock has an old label on top from Hotel de l’ Europe Ltd in Singapore. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth, with Purdey label, and a smaller label listing fittings. Accessories include large steel mold for conical bullet marked with serial number, another Davis type round ball mold marked “Improved no. 8” and the serial number, nickel plated cartridge capper and de-capper marked “8”, 2 ebony handled striker keys, ebony handled turn screw, 2-piece rosewood cleaning rod, bone striker bottle with spare strikers, nickel plated round oil bottle, 8 bore pull-through, ebony container with tweezers, rifle sling, 2 8-bore snap caps, a “J. Purdey and Sons” marked 8 bore broken case extractor, as well as the key. 12 No. 8 brass casing are included, mostly with Charles Daly head stamps. CONDITION: Excellent as refurbished, most likely by the factory as was not unusual during periods of use. Barrels retain 80% of fine London brown finish with Damascus pattern bold. Action retains approximately 70% original case color. Engraving is sharp and clean. Lockplates retain approximately 50% color, silvering on tails. Under lever is grayish brown. Trigger guard shows most of a later reblue, slightly pitted, with engraving washed. Stocks retain most of a hand rubbed oil finish. Wood is very slightly under metal of locks, and more so at head of action. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Right bore is very fine, with a few minor light pits towards breech. Left bore is excellent with a bit of frosting. All rifling is sharp. Case leather is fine, still light in color, with numerous marks and rubs. Newer straps and handle are very good, but handle is beginning to fray. Interior cloth is fine but with stains and marks from contact with rifle and accessories. Interior partitions are strong. Accessories are good to fine. Casings have some verdigris. Purdey’s produced a total of 768 hammer double rifles, of all calibers and grades, including pinfires, making any Purdey double rifle extremely scarce. This may be the only best quality 8 bore produced by Purdey’s. A world class rifle.Name Value Accessories Case, Accessories Barrel Length 24" Caliber/Bore 8 Bore Drop at Comb Approx. 1 - 3/8" Drop at Heel Approx. 2 - 1/8" FFL Status Antique Length of Pull 14 - 7/8" Manufacturer James Purdey & Sons Model Double Rifle Serial Number 12371, Name, Value, Accessories, Case, Accessories, Barrel Length, 24", Caliber/Bore, 8 Bore, Drop at Comb, Approx. 1 - 3/8", Drop at Heel, Approx. 2 - 1/8", FFL Status, Antique, Length of Pull, 14 - 7/8", Manufacturer, James Purdey & Sons, Model, Double Rifle, Serial Number, 12371

Estimate:£37,787.50

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