2131 JAMES PURDEY NO. 17438 A .400/.360 PURDEY (23

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 Nov 07 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 7,500.00 USD
Estimated at 15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
FOUND IN RECORDS) REINFORCED FRAME SIDELOCK SNAP UNDER LEVER DOUBLE RIFLE & FACTORY LETTER. Cal. .400/.360 2-3/4". S# 17438 (1903). Perhaps only a handful of these rifles remain in unaltered condition as the conversion to 9.3 x 74R is very easy requiring only about five minutes with a chambering reamer. The .400/.360 Purdey is about 1/8" shorter than the 9.3 x 74R which can be shortened to make correct brass. Bore diameter is .366. This fine rifle has 26" chopper lump barrels with file cut full length rib holding one standing, one folding leaf rear sight and silver bead front in raised portion of rib forming ramp. Uncut area of rib in front of rear sight is engraved "J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London." "Made of Sir Joseph Whitsworth's Fluid Pressed Steel." Rib has 3/8" extension for third fastener. A sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for .360 express 40 grains cordite and 300 grain bullet. Bottoms of barrel are stamped with S#s and barrel maker's initials "GA" (George Aston). Tube numbers "1614" & "1615" are on loop. Case hardened robust Beesley patent self-opening action is perhaps the strongest ever designed featuring heavy spring snap Jones underlever combined with 3/8" diameter sliding bolt that engages rib extension for third bite. This is combined with side bolsters to reinforce action bar and side clips to help stabilize side to side movement. Operating this action feels like closing a bank vault: it also presents a very clean viewing of sights and game by eliminating top lever, etc. Action also features automatic bolted safety ("SAFE" & BOLTED" inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, engraved arrowhead tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action is engraved with Purdey house style rose & scroll. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate. Blued trigger guard is engraved with some open scroll; S# is on tang that extends to blued steel grip cap. Buttstock made of lightly flame figured and well streaked European walnut measures 14-3/4" over Silver type pad (matching factory letter). Stock features shadow line right hand cheekpiece, drop points, point pattern checkering at grip, a sling eye and a vacant gold oval on toeline. Matching splinter forend has Anson release. Iron is stamped with actioner's initials "SN" (? Unknown). MEASUREMENTS: LOP: 14-3/4". WEIGHT: 9 lb. 14 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Purdey Factory Letter indicating rifle is made in 1903 for General Mahon (Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon 1862-1930 KCB, KCVO, DSO, PC (Ireland) & FRGS, Commander in Chief Western Frontier Force Ireland). (Ledger listing copied on back.) CONDITION: very fine as partially and lightly refinished. Barrels retaining nearly all of a best quality rust blue. Action retains most of its original case hardening color. Lockplates retain over 90%. Forend iron, underlever, trigger plate, trigger guard, and grip cap have been re-blued. All engraving remains sharp and clear. Stocks retain nearly all of a very fine oil refinish. Checkering is moderately worn at grip and correctly recut on forend. Bores are bright and shiny throughout. Action is tight. PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. (26-935/MGM). CURIO. $15,000-25,000.