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LOT 3455
Factory Engraved J. Purdey Underlever Hammer Double Rifle in .500 Black Powder Express - Serial no. 8573,
500 Black Powder Express cal., 28 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c.
1871 according to page 193 of Donald Dallas’ “Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers: The Definitive History”. The rifle was made
with browned Damascus steel barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight and four leaf (one standing, three folding)
rear sight on the smooth solid rib signed “J. PURDEY, 314 1/2, OXFORD STREET, LONDON.”, front sling stud, London proof
marks, and an extractor. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened underlever hammer back action which displays
attractive scroll engraving surrounding “PURDEY” signatures on the lockplates and continuing onto the
hammers, tangs, and underlever. The rifle features double triggers and non-rebounding hammers
with bar safeties. The rifle is fitted with a nicely figured, fully checkered splinter forend with
engraved fittings and wedge fastener as well as a straight grip stock with multi-point
checkering, raised cheekpiece, rear sling stud, blank silver oval, and checkered
blued steel buttplate marked “CHARGE/4 DRMs No. 6 POWDER”. Included is
Norman Blank’s 1964 dated Special Customs Invoice for this rifle and others.
Length of pull 14 11/16 inches. Weight 9 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Fine overall, retaining 25% original brown finish with the balance
a fine grey patina, 60% original case colors vibrant in the protected areas, some
scratches on the barrels, oxidation towards the muzzles, and nice Damascus
patterns. The wood has a tiny crack off the right lockplate; otherwise, the wood
is fine with a few marks and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3454
Rare Factory Engraved John Dickson &
Son Jones Underlever Hammerless Double
Rifle - Serial no. 3990, 450 Black Powder Express cal.,
26 7/8 inch solid
rib bbl., brown/
casehardened
finish, walnut stock. The rifle was completed
in 1886 according to page 81 of Nigel Brown’s “British Gunmakers
Volume Two: Birmingham, Scotland & the Regions”. The rifle was made
with brown Damascus steel barrels featuring a beaded blade front
sight and a three leaf (one standing, two folding) rear sight with platinum
center-lines on the matted flat solid rib which is signed “JOHN DICKSON
& SON. PATENT/63 PRINCES STREET EDINBURGH.”, London proof marks, front sling stud, light engraving at the
breech, and chambers with an extractor. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened Dickson round body action with a Jones
underlever release which features attractive carved fences and near full coverage scroll engraving surrounding “JOHN DICKSON & SON/PATENT”
banners on either side. The rifle features double triggers, gold plated cocking indicators, and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold “SAFE” indicator.
The rifle is fitted with a highly attractive well-figured and fully checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings and Anson & Deeley button release as well as
a nicely checkered pistol grip stock with shadowline cheekpiece, engraved casehardened grip cap, rear sling stud, “SJ” in the silver inscription oval, and lightly
engraved steel heel and toe plates around the checkered butt. A remark on the Norman R. Blank collection note states: “I think this round action rifle must be fairly
rare as Keith-Neal told me that he has not seen a double barrel Dickson with round action.” Length of pull 14 11/16 inches. Weight 8 lbs. 5 oz.
CONDITION: Very good overall, retaining 97% re-browned finish and strong Damascus
patterns on the re-chambered barrels, 70% original case colors with the balance a fine grey,
oxidation at the muzzles and the lower tang, and light handling
evidence. The wood is freshened and has sharp checkering and a
few minor marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000