Page 200 - 4091-BOOK3

LOT 3324
Exceptional Early Production Cased Panel Scene Engraved J. Purdey 12 Bore Percussion Double Barrel Ball Gun - Serial no. 3133, 12 gauge, 25 5/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/ blue finish, checkered walnut stock. Per the data shown in “The
Early Purdeys” by L. Patrick Unsworth, this early percussion double
barrel shotgun was manufactured c. 1838. It is setup as a ball gun for hunting big
game and has smoothbore Damascus barrels outfitted with a bead style blade front sight and three leaf rear sight (70 standing, 100 and 150 folding) with platinum sight lines. The flat rib is signed “J. PURDEY.314 1/2 OXFORD STREET. LONDON.” The breechplugs have platinum bands and plugs and light engraving. The standing breech has a big cat mask and scroll engraving. The locks are each signed “PURDEY” below the sliding safeties and have scroll engraving, twisted rope borders, a reposed stag on the right, and a tiger on the left. The gun features a single set right trigger and a plain left trigger. The trigger guard and furniture feature scroll and floral engraving. The trigger guard tang has the serial number. A round cap/patch box is set in the right side of the stock which has a checkered wrist, shadowline cheekpiece, checkered steel buttplate, and 14 1/4 inch length of pull. The gun comes in a takedown case with a Purdey trade label insider and a variety of loading and maintenance tools, including an “IMPROVED No. 14” ball mold and a powder flask.
CONDITION: Very fine with much of the older rebrowned finish remaining on the barrels which display attractive Damascus patterns, 60% original blue finish on the trigger guard, 70% of the lightly faded but distinct original case colors on the locks and furniture, and generally minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has distinct checkering, minor edge wear, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are very good with mild age and storage related wear, including some cracks visible in the case lid.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3325
Scarce Swinburn & Son Patent Jacob Rifle Combination Gun - NSN, 16 gauge, 23 3/8 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1861. The Jacob rifle was invented by General John Jacob.
An officer of the British East India Company, Jacob commanded a cavalry regiment called the 36th Jacob’s Horse. He
invented the rifle with the aim of firing explosive “caisson killer” bullets to knock out enemy artillery at long range.
He wrote, “Judging from our practice at Jacobabad, it seems certain that two good riflemen so armed, could in 10
minutes, annihilate the best Field Battery of Artillery now existing.” A well-placed shot into a caisson would cause a
large explosion that could destroy both an artillery piece and its crew. He intended to arm the 1st Regiment Jacob’s Rifles
with his distinctive double rifles, but he died before the order for the rifles was filled. Some do appear to have been issued to
the unit, and the rifles saw at least limited use in the American Civil War, including by chaplain Lorenzo Barber of the Berdan
Sharpshooters with one barrel loaded with buckshot and the other with a solid projectile. This example has the distinctive four-
groove rifling in the 32 bore left barrel for a winged bullet, and the right barrel has been bored out to 16 bore smoothbore and lacks the usual lug for mounting a
sword bayonet. The stock also has a checkered wrist. The lock plates are each marked “SWINBURN & SON/PATENT/1861.” The patchbox is marked “JACOB’S RIFLES” and contains some winged bullets. Behind the ladder rear sight, which is graduated to 2,000 yards not including the top notch, is a three leaf express sight graduated for 100 to 300 yards. CONDITION: Fine with 75% plus of the period reblued finish on the barrels, patches of bright original case colors, gray and brown patina on the balance, patches of mild pitting, and general mild wear. The period refinished stock is also fine and has crisp checkering and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
198