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LOT 1263
Highly Desirable Purdey Percussion English Half-Stock Sporting Rifle with Extraordinary Gold Calligraphic Inscription - Serial no. 4464, 65 cal., 24 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/ casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. The exact history of this interesting firearm is not known, but it was meant for a local authority in India under British East India Company rule. The rifle was previously confirmed by Purdey to have been completed in December 1849 for “The Nawabh His Royal Highness Odd Howlah.” Portions of the latter might have been incorrectly recorded or deciphered. Howlah appears to be Howrah a significant city across from Kolkata and then a major hub for the East India Company in West Bengal. Purdey is known to have manufactured multiple guns for Indian rulers in the period. The inscription on the barrel was translated as: “To Hussein Ali Khan Bahadur. You want to go to war, You will be victorious.”“Khan Bahadur” translates to brave leader. This appears to relate to Nawab Hussein
Ali II Khan Bahadur of Banganapalle who ruled from 1822 to 1832 as the kiladar/governor. The region was then managed by the British governor of the Madras Presidency, and shortly before his death, he was again appointed to his prior position. His son-in-law Gholam Mohammad Ali Khan II took his place until his own death in 1868. Hussein Ali II Khan Bahadur lived in north Hyderbad after 1832. The second portion of the inscription may relate to the Second Anglo- Sikh War then ongoing in northern India and perhaps recruitment for the army of Madras Presidency. The top of the barrel has “Purdey London” in ornate script with scroll accents in gold inlay on the breech section, a three-leaf rear sight, the Arabic inscription in gold inlay ahead of the rear sight, and a bead front sight. The lock is signed “PURDEY” and has scroll engraving. The upper tang, trigger guard, cap box, and buttplate have a mix of scroll and floral pattern engraving. It is equipped with a single set trigger.
LOT 1264
Superb Cased Game Scene Engraved Percussion Double Barrel Shotgun by John William Edge of Manchester - Serial no. 1645, 12 gauge, 27 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. John William Edge was
a gunmaker in Manchester
from 1827 until 1864. The Damascus barrels
have a concave rib signed “JOHN WILLIAM EDGE” and fitted with a bead front sight, and each barrel is marked with London proof marks. The casehardened patent breeches have pierced platinum plugs, and the rib divider is engraved with a pheasant. The island with stepped tail locks are signed “J.W. EDGE”. Aside from the browned barrels and the vacant silver oval wrist escutcheon, the gun is casehardened and features scroll engraving along with a variety of bird scenes, and a snake and bird
are also featured on the hammers. The well-figured stock has checkering to the forearm and wrist. The original brass mounted ramrod is serial numbered to the gun. The original mahogany case has a J.W. Edge trade label inside the lid, green baize lining, cap tin “MADE EXPRESSLY FOR/J.W. EDGE” with wads inside, Fabrique Gevelot cap box, brush, cleaning rod attachments, leather shot and powder flasks, nipple wrench with nipple pick, second ramrod serial numbered to the gun, and a note indicating the gun was purchased on November 22, 1959, from a Mr. Chaliat of Rue Biron, Marche aux Puce, Paris.