^Lot 2127 JAMES PURDEY NO. 9567. A PERCUSSION STYLE BREECH

LOADING .500/.450, 2-7/8" LONG GUARD LEVER HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE, ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER. Cal. 500-450 #2 BPE. S# 9567. This unique centerfire breech loading rifle was made in 1876 long after percussion rifles had ceased to be made but this rifle invokes the early grace and style of the classic percussion express rifle. The 28-1/2" steel barrels are fitted with full length flat rib holding one standing, three nested leaf rear sight and silver bead front. Top of rib is engraved "J. Purdey 314 1/2. Oxford Street. London." Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and barrel maker's initials "GA" (Aston). S#s are on bottoms of barrels. A sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened long guard lever action features side clips and double triggers. The long guard lever incorporates checkered steel grip reminiscent of percussion rifles. The entire trigger guard and grip rotate in Jones lever style to bolt barrels to action. As the triggers are exposed while action is open, a trigger bolting safety is incorporated into the bottom tang with triggers being unlocked only when lever is fully closed. Back spring locks are of island type and are fitted with rebounding hammers of Purdey's unique percussion rifle style having serpentine flat sides emanating from a circular base and terminating with tall spurs and stylized dolphin heads. Locks are also fitted with front sliding stalking safetys. Action and locks are engraved with near full coverage well cut small scroll. Each lockplate is engraved "Purdey". Top of action is engraved "Patent". Guard lever has open scroll on bow and S# is at grip. Straight grip buttstock is made from a truly wonderful piece of flesh toned European walnut showing fine fiddle figure mixed with dark marbleized streaking. Stock measures 14-3/8" over checkered steel buttplate engraved "Charge" "4 1/4 Drams No 6 Powder". Stock features beaded shadow line right cheekpiece, flat top point pattern grip checkering and a sling eye on toeline. Matching splinter forend is fully checkered; has engraved steel tip and attaches to barrels with sidebolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. MEASUREMENTS: LOP: 14-3/8". WEIGHT: 8 lb. 6 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in period oak and leather case lined in green cloth. A reproduction Purdey label is in lid. Bottom compartment is semi-French fitted for rifle and old correct type accessories including rare vintage carrying strap with filed steel snap hook swivels; single cavity 45 caliber steel bullet mold marked "Rigby's Patent" with hollow pointing plug; steel reloading dies marked "WR .1" (correct caliber for this rifle); ebony handled powder measure; and cleaning brushes in black Morocco leather wallet; all in compartment under quartered oak cover. Other accessories include: offset striker key, and two turn screws with ebony handles, an ebony muzzle protector for use during cleaning, a circular pewter oil bottle, a bone striker bottle, and a two piece brass and ebony cleaning rod. Purdey Factory Letter indicating rifle was completed in 1876 for H. Shipman and "regulated with Westley Richards No. 1 express cartridges" (copy of ledger entry on back). CONDITION: exceptionally fine. Barrels retaining well over 90% original blue with some scattered marks and scratches. One area about 2"x2" on bottoms of barrels about 3-4 " behind muzzles shows some very deep pitting (probably blood damage from resting muzzles on dead tigers head while taking sight on second tiger). This area of rusting is not obtrusive. Action retains over 80% original bright case hardening color while locks retain nearly all of their color. Guard lever shows some cleaned rusting on bow and at grip, but retains a goodly amount of case color. Stocks retain nearly all of their original dry finish with a fair scattering of light marks and scratches. Buttplate retains over 80% original blue. Gain twist Metford rifled bores are pristine; bright, sharp and shiny throughout. Action is tight; barrels on face. Locks are crisp; safetys engage. Case leather is very dark with many marks and scrapes; has been conserved with lacquer; handle is partially detached. Interior cloth is very fine. Bottom compartment has been reconfigured; added bits with new cloth. Accessories are general good to fine. Carrying strap is very fine; swivels still bright. PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. Ex. John Amber Collection (sold at Bourne Auction 1986). (01-28992/MGM). ANTIQUE. $12,000-18,000.