This pair was sold on August 1, 1834, for £52.10.0. per "The Early Purdeys" by L. Patrick Unsworth. The 1834 date is also listed in "Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers: The Definitive History" by Donald Dallas. The rifled octagonal Damascus barrels each feature a dovetailed bead front sight, "J. PURDEY, 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET, LONDON," signed on top, the serial number, "JP", and London proof marks on the underside; and a matching numbered casehardened breech plug with dovetailed notch rear sight, platinum band, and pierced platinum plug. The flat locks are each signed "PURDEY" and feature sliding half-cock safeties. The pistols are each fitted with an adjustable single set trigger and spurred trigger guard. They feature engraving primarily consisting of classic scroll and border patterns along with burst designs on the forend caps, martial trophy designs, and plain silver escutcheons. The ebonized half-stocks have checkered wrists and flared pommels. The pair comes in a mahogany case with a Purdey trade label inside the lid listing the 314 1/2 Oxford Street address along with a suite of loading and maintenance tools, including a James Dixon & Sons flask, loading rod with mallet, cap tin, "6 FULL" marked punch, and "52" marked mold, and the case also has a leather outer cover. These pistols were essentially the standard Purdey target pistol by the late 1820s and lasting until the 1860s, most often without spurs on the trigger guards. Such pistols were owned by notable gentlemen. For example, a similar pair was built for Wilhelm, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg (1806-1884) in 1836, and what may have been the last pair was made for the Maharajah of Bulrampore in the 1860s. These pistols were displayed as part of Norman R. Blank's collection at the NRA in 2004. A note from the collection states the pair was purchased from Tom Purdey and came from the James Purdey & Sons Collection. "They came from Tom Purdey's antecedent and probably go back to James Purdey." Tom Purdey led the company until his retirement in 1955, and Mr. Blank is known to have made many purchases for his collections in the 1950s and 1960s.

Exceptionally fine with 95% plus original brown finish on the barrel along with distinct twist patterns, 85% plus original blue finish on the trigger guard, 80% plus original casehardened finish on the lock and remaining mounts, dark aged patina on the silver escutcheons, minor oxidation, and generally only light wear. The stock is very fine and has very attractive dark ebonized finish, crisp checkering, and scattered mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has a crack in the lid and mild age and storage related wear. The leather outer case is fair with torn corners and straps. The accessories are generally fine with minor wear.

As described in "A." Provenance: The James Purdey & Sons Collection; Tom Purdey; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Exceptionally fine with 95% plus original brown finish and distinct twist patterns on the barrel, 90% plus original blue finish on the trigger guard with some fading mainly on the spur, 90% plus original casehardened finish on the lock and remaining mounts, dark aged patina on the silver escutcheons, minor oxidation, and generally fairly minimal overall wear such as some light scratches. The stock is very fine and has very attractive dark ebonized finish, crisp checkering, and several scattered scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. Overall, this is a very attractive cased set of classic Purdey percussion pistols purchased from Tom Purdey himself.