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LOT 1274
Documented Exceptional Cased Pair of Engraved Purdey Percussion
Dueling/Target Pistols -A) Purdey Percussion Pistol - Serial no.
2094, 45 cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish,
ebonized stock. This pair was sold on August 1, 1834, for £52.10.0. per
“The Early Purdeys” by L. Patrick Unsworth. The 1834 date is also listed
in “Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers: The Definitive History” by Donald Dallas.
The rifled octagonal Damascus barrels each feature a dovetailed bead
front sight, “J. PURDEY, 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET, LONDON,” signed on top,
the serial number, “JP”, and London proof marks on the underside; and a
matching numbered casehardened breech plug with dovetailed notch
rear sight, platinum band, and pierced platinum plug. The flat locks are
each signed “PURDEY” and feature sliding half-cock safeties.
The pistols are each fitted with an adjustable single set trigger
and spurred trigger guard. They feature engraving primarily
consisting of classic scroll and border patterns along with burst
designs on the forend caps, martial trophy designs, and plain
silver escutcheons. The ebonized half-stocks have checkered
wrists and flared pommels. The pair comes in a mahogany case
with a Purdey trade label inside the lid listing the 314 1/2 Oxford
Street address along with a suite of loading and maintenance
tools, including a James Dixon & Sons flask, loading rod with
mallet, cap tin, “6 FULL” marked punch, and “52” marked mold,
and the case also has a leather outer cover. These pistols were
essentially the standard Purdey target pistol by the late 1820s and lasting
until the 1860s, most often without spurs on the trigger guards. Such
pistols were owned by notable gentlemen. For example, a similar pair was
built for Wilhelm, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg (1806-1884) in 1836,
and what may have been the last pair was made for the Maharajah of
Bulrampore in the 1860s.