2242

LIGHTWEIGHT AND HANDY JAMES PURDEY SINGLE BARREL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
LIGHTWEIGHT AND HANDY JAMES PURDEY SINGLE BARREL

PERCUSSION RIFLE. Cal. 47 (.490 groove diameter/12 groove rifling). S# 1335 (1828). This neat little rifle of relatively large caliber weights 4 lb. 13 oz. and would be the perfect thing for most primitive weapon hunting. Unsworth in "THE EARLY PURDEYS" lists this as a single rifle sold on 23 September 1828 for 36 pounds 15 shillings, which was the standard rate at the time. It has 28" tapered octagon barrel with under rib. Top flat is engraved "J. PURDEY 314 1/2 Oxford Street London" behind one standing, two nested folding leaf rear sight with platinum lines. Front sight is a simple steel blade dovetailed through. Bottom of barrel is stamped with S#, London proofs and "JP". Patent breech with two inlaid platinum lines has vented platinum blow out. Breech iron with integral fence is engraved with shaded scroll. Front spring lock with flat faced hammer having stylized dolphin head is fitted with back sliding safety and engraved with about 50% coverage well cut open scroll in normal pattern for early Purdey guns and rifles. Trigger plate fitted with set trigger, has pineapple finial engraved with classic early shell motif. Trigger guard with scroll on bow has spurred tang forming grip. Stock of well streaked European walnut measures 14" over steel buttplate with long scroll engraved top tang. Stock features very small double shadow line swept right hand cheekpiece and flat top grip checkering. A vacant silver octagon is at top of grip. Forend tip is horn. Stock attaches to barrel with sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. What looks to be original greenheart ramrod with brass head and tail (worm under cap) mounts through two plain pipes (front with sling eye) and beaded steel thimble. CONDITION: very good original "as found". Barrel retaining a fair amount of original brown under considerable overall rusting which presents a dark brown appearance. There are many vice or wrench marks at breech area from attempted breech plug removal. Other metal parts show traces of original blue under overall light rusting and cleaning does not appear to have been attempted. Buttplate is nearly all brown. Stock shows about 85-90% original finish with considerable crazing, marks and dents overall. Bore is good, fairly shiny with strong rifling throughout as well as considerable frosting throughout (should still shoot quite well). Lock is crisp, safety does not operate (probably gummed) and finger tab is broken. Set trigger works. A fine small rifle that should profit from some TLC. (01-23002/MGM). ANTIQUE. $4,000-6,000.