A pair of d.b. percussion pistols by Purdey, mid-19th century
Lot 306
A Fine Pair Of 20-Bore D.B. Percussion Belt Pistols
Sold for £13,125 (US$ 22,458) inc. premium
Auction Details
Lot Details
A Fine Pair Of 20-Bore D.B. Percussion Belt Pistols
By James Purdey, 314½ Oxford Street, London, Nos. 2727 And 2728 For 1835
With rebrowned twist sighted barrels each signed in full along the grooved rib, case-hardened patent breeches engraved with foliage between and each with platinum line, grooved case-hardened tangs (one with a patch of pitting) each finely engraved with foliage and a trophy of arms, signed case-hardened foliate scroll engraved rounded back-action locks each with bright safety-catch and internal working parts, foliate scroll engraved case-hardened dolphin hammers, ebonised half-stocks with chequered rounded butts, the latter each with rounded case-hardened butt-trap engraved with a border of ropework and with hinged circular cover engraved with a flower-head, border engraved case-hardened trigger-guards each decorated with a trophy of arms on the bow, trigger-plates each with foliate finial, rear ramrod-pipes en suite, vacant silver escutcheons and barrel-bolt escutcheons, blued barrel-bolts, chequered forward triggers, stirrup ramrods, and much original case-hardened finish, London proof marks (2)
14 cm. barrels

Footnotes

  • Literature:
    L. Patrick Unsworth, The Early Purdeys, 1996, p. 135. Recorded as sold on 17 March 1835 for £42.0.0. to a Colonel Andree, 7th Native Bengal Infantry. Unsworth notes that 'The customer ordered 'a pair of double pistols, 6", 20 gauge to be carried in a belt', but as he also purchased Nos. 2505-6, the order could have referred to either pair'
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