BY JAMES PURDEY, 4 PRINCES STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, NO. 257, CIRCA 1821

Details

A Very Rare Cased 20-Bore D.B. Flintlock Sporting Gun
By James Purdey, 4 Princes Street, Leicester Square, London, No. 257, circa 1821
With browned twist barrels signed in full in script on the rib, case-hardened recessed patent breeches each with two platinum lines and platinum-lined touch-hole, scroll engraved case-hardened tang, signed serial numbered locks engraved with foliage and monster-heads, rollers, pierced cocks, and rainproof pans, finely figured walnut half-stock, chequered grip and fore-end, the butt with high comb, finely engraved blued iron mounts, the bow of the trigger-guard engraved with foliage and monster-heads, silver escutcheon, original brass-mounted ramrod, and much original finish: in original fitted highly figured mahogany case (relined) with accessories including a powder-flask of planished tin, and a bag of wads with the gunmaker's label of Charles Spencer of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, the lid with trade card of the earliest type, flush-fitting carrying handle, and circular escutcheon engraved with the original owner's name 'Mr. W. Rutson', London proof marks, the barrels forged by Charles Lancaster
28¼in. (71.8cm.) barrels

Provenance

William Rutson
By descent to his great-great-grandson David James, M.B.E., D.S.C., by whom sold at Knight, Frank & Rutley, London, 2 December 1965, lot 282 (£840 to Neal)

Literature

W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, British Gunmakers Their Trade Cards, Cases and Equipment 1760-1860, plate 459
L. Patrick Unsworth, The Early Purdeys, pp. 116, 181, plate 7

Exhibited

The Game Fair, Blenheim Palace, 28-30 July 2000

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

Only ten unconverted Purdey flintlock guns are known to have survived, and they are thus of the greatest rarity. The present gun appears to be the only one in its original case. It was the last to appear at public auction

More from FINE ANTIQUE FIREARMS FROM THE W. KEITH NEAL COLLECTION

View All