Introduced in 1898, the 450 Nitro Express was an evolution of the black powder 450 Express round, and became one of the chief rounds for hunting dangerous game in Africa and India. Beaded blade front sight and four leaf platinum wire accented rear sight, graduated for 100, 150, 200 and 250 yards, with matte serrations on the front and rear sections of the rib and the smooth mid-section marked "J.PURDEY, 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET, LONDON.". The sleeved barrels are a fine blue finished Damascus twist, with London proofs and "C.A" on the water table and a single piece extractor. The frame, locks, hammers and break lever/trigger guard are all casehardened and decorated with scroll and floral engraving, with the coverage on the upper tang reaching nearly 100%. Each lock is marked "PURDEY" in small, fine letters and outfitted with a niter blue finished sliding half-cock safety, and the combination trigger guard, side-turning break lever and checkered hand rest also doubling as a trigger-locking safety; when opened, a spring loaded button on the lower tang slides into the safe position, and is automatically depressed into the fire position when closed. A semi-circular projection extends asymmetrically from the right side of the lower tang to prevent the stock from being scratched by the underside of the lever. Checkered straight wrist stock, with scroll and floral engraved hardware on the splinter forearm, sling eyes, a thin shadow line cheekpiece, silver inscription panel with a crowned "MAC" monogram, and a floral engraved and checkered steel buttplate marked "CHARGE/3 1/4 dms No. 6 Powder" near the heel. With a brass handled hardwood locking case, with a Purdey label on the red felt interior, with eleven spent 450 Nitro cases. The "MAC" monogram has not been positively identified, though the design of the crown is a close match for the traditional heraldic crown of European princes (particularly of the Holy Roman Empire, the Austrian Empire, Liechtenstein, and Imperial Russia), suggesting acquisition by a member of a family in high standing. Length of pull is 13 7/8 inches, drop at comb is 1 3/16 inches, drop at heel is 2 5/8 inches.