The makers have kindly confirmed that this unique rifle was sold on June 24, 1844 at a cost of £42 having been made to the precise specification of the customer, one Captain P.R. Skinner who was serving in Poona, India. According to L. Patrick Unsworth in his book “The Early Purdeys” (p. 158), Skinner “… sent Purdey a detailed specification of his needs – two-groove, barrel to be 3/8 in. thick for 12 in. from the muzzle and 1/8 in. thick for the remaining 2 ft 6 in., and a rib raised 1/4 in. over the entire length, fitted with a large tube iron ramrod. He (Skinner) was none too pleased with the result, but said, “The directions were however given by me and I have no-one to blame but myself.”” This rifle originally sported a 42 inch barrel which Purdey believe to have been the longest muzzle loading rifle barrel made by them. The implications for practicality in the field of such a long barrel led to it being shortened to a far more manageable 32 inches (including the breech), probably fairly soon after Captain Skinner took delivery in India. With browned damascus two stage round barrel cut with deep two groove rifling for a winged bullet with raised flat rib extending from the larger diameter breech section fitted with a bead front sight, the breech section with sighting flat fitted with a dovetailed blued rear sight of two folding leaves and signed “J. PURDEY 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET LONDON”. Casehardened patent breech engraved with a narrow band of stylized running foliage and inlaid with a platinum line and with platinum plug. The barrel with London proof marks and barrel maker’s mark “JP” for James Purdey. A substantial brass mounted wooden ramrod serial numbered to the rifle is housed beneath the barrel with two ramrod pipes fitted to an under-rib. Casehardened standing breech, detented lock signed “PURDEY” with a blued sliding safety catch behind the hammer, casehardened trigger plate, blued pistol grip trigger guard with checkered finger rest, casehardened hinged patch box cover and blued butt plate. The whole with classic Purdey border and scroll engraving throughout. Well figured 14 1/2 inch half length stock with checkered grip and forearm, the latter with large dark horn cap, and raised cheekpiece. The underside of the butt with engraved sling stud, the corresponding sling eye mount fitted beneath the central ramrod pipe.

Very fine. The whole in a remarkable state of preservation. The barrel has been expertly rebrowned and retains near 100% renewed finish with crisp signature and an attractive damascus pattern. The breech, standing breech, lock, trigger plate, rear ramrod pipe and patch box cover retain 90-95% original casehardened finish. The trigger guard and butt plate retain 75-85% original blue finish. The engraving remains crisp and clear throughout. There is light pitting on the buttplate. The stock has been refinished with scattered minor age related storage and handling marks, varnished finish, checkering is sharp with evidence of a small repair to a setting crack between the sidenail and the corner of the breech and a small crack to the right side of the forearm directly in front of the lock. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.