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s Purdey & Sons
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LOT 520
Rare Westley Richards “Gold Name” .450/.400 (Nitro
Express) Double Barrel Droplock Ejector Rifle - Serial no. 8664, 450/400 cal., 26 inch
solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle was manufactured in
circa 1904 featuring the famous Deeley and Taylor patent hand-detachable locks (British Patent No. 17731 of July 28, 1897). This rifle is chambered for the classic .450/.400 nitro express cartridge which prior to the introduction of the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum was considered the
best all-round game shooting cartridge and found great favor with hunters in Africa and India. The blued barrels are
respectively signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS. 178. NEW BOND ST. LONDON. GUN MAKERS BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY KING EDWARD VII” and “W.R. HIGH VELOCITY NITRO EXPRESS RIFLE. .400 BORE”, and each tube is engraved
with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The sunken concave rib is partially engraved with fine classic English
scrollwork and sighting comprises a block mounted bead front sight with flip-up moon-sight and patent flip-over tunnel cover and partially matted rear
sight ramp with sight formed of one standing notch sight and two folding leaf notch sights graduated to 300 yards. The casehardened treble grip action
is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS” in gold on each side, engraved “WESTLEY RICHARDS/EJECTOR” ahead of the blued top lever, bolted automatic safety with
gold inlaid “SAFE” and “BOLTED”, blued detachable floorplate, and blued trigger guard. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro proof marks. The well-
figured walnut pistol grip stock has a raised cheek piece and panels of multipoint checkering on the grip and forearm, a rubber recoil pad, a casehardened grip cap with hinged trap cover, and a
casehardened Deeley and Edge fastener and dark horn tip on the forearm. The underside of the butt is numbered “18” and has a blank silver oval initial escutcheon and blued sling eye, and the
corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrel. 14 5/8 inch length of pull. Weight 9 lbs. 15 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent as professionally refurbished. The barrels, action and furniture each retain nearly all of the blued and casehardened finish, with slight handling and storage marks. The stock retains well-defined checkering with occasional scattered minor age related storage and handling blemishes and a small chip along the left edge of the trigger guard tang within the checkered area. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 521
Very Fine Factory Engraved Jame
Back action Hammer Double Rifle with Case and Factory Letter - Serial no.
14865, 500 Black Powder Express cal., 26 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Blued steel barrels with ramped blade front and two leaf (one folding, one standing) rear
sight on the raised flat rib which is marked with the Purdey address, light engraving at the breeches, single extractor for the chambers, and London black powder proofs. The casehardened rotary underlever action and back action locks displays extensive scroll engraving
which extends to the hammers, lever, and both tangs. The locks feature safety catches and rebounding hammers. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered splinter
forend with engraved fittings, including the underlever release, and pistol grip stock with engraved casehardened grip cap, raised cheek piece, blank silver initial oval,
and serrated buttplate. Includes a factory letter confirming current configuration when the gun was completed for a Lt. Colonel Douglas Dawson in 1893. Sir Douglas Dawson
Frederick Rawdou Dawson was a British army general officer and courtier who saw active service in the 1882 Egyptian Campaign and the 1884-5 Nile Expedition as part of the
Guard’s Camel Corps before being appointed as a military attache. Also includes a binder of information and correspondence on the rifle, original Purdey takedown case, period reloading tools (including 23 cases), reloading manual, sling, and cleaning tools. Length of pull 14 3/8 inches. Weight 9 lbs. 4 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine overall as professionally refurbished, retaining 98% blue on the barrels and 99% case colors with minor handling evidence. The wood shows a few minor dings and scratches and sharp checkering. The case is good and accessories very good. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000