The makers have kindly confirmed that this extremely rare 38 bore double pinfire rifle was completed in 1863 for The Duke of Wellington. Arthur Richard Wellesley, 2nd Duke of Wellington (1807–1884), was the eldest son of the famous Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, who famously defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. It is signed "J. PURDEY, 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET, LONDON" on the flat rib which has matted sections behind the blade front sight and the folding "express" rear sight which has "50," "100," "150," and "200" yard folding leaves. The back action locks are signed "PURDEY" and have sliding half-cock safeties behind the hammers. The water table has "crown/V" proofs. The barrels have London proofs, and matching serial numbers are on the barrels, forearm, and lever. There is fine English scroll engraving on the various components aside from the twist steel barrels. The forearm and stock are checkered, and the stock also has a blank silver escutcheon, a pinned leather cheek pad, and a narrow and elongated oval cheekpiece. The checkered steel buttplate has "CHARGE/2 drms No 6 Powder." Length of pull is 14 1/4 inches. The Purdey label inside the case has a similar hand-written load noted as "Charge 1 3/4 drams of No 6 or coarse grained powder." Inside the case is a chamber cast, a key, and a 1950s Customs form.

Very fine overall as professionally refinished with 95% plus brown and casehardened finish remaining, minor overall wear, crisp engraving and checkering, and minor overall wear including some light marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is good and has moderate age and storage related wear, including a crack in the lid and mild wear on the lining. Overall, a very attractive pinfire double rifle from one of England's most well-respected makers. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.