This rifle was built by Purdey in 1862 and has a two-groove Damascus barrel with a dovetailed globe front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight with platinum sight line "J. PURDEY 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET LONDON." signed on top a scroll engraved breechplug with platinum band, and the serial number, London proofs, and "JP" maker's mark on the bottom. The scroll engraved lock is signed "PURDEY" and has a sliding half-cock safety ahead of the hammer. The furniture is also scroll engraved. The trigger guard has a checkered grip extension and the serial number on the tang. The stock has a horn forend tip, checkered forend and wrist, oval cheek piece, and nice figure. The checkered buttplate is marked "Charges 3 1/4 drms No 6 Powder." The case has a Purdey label inside the lid with "Charge for this Rifle is 3 1/4 drms. of/no. 6 Powder as made by Curtis's/& Harvey only" hand marked on the left side of the label, a black japanned powder can with "Improved/Rifle Powder" in gold paint, F. Joyce & Co. cap tin, oiler, mainspring vice, 3 1/4 dram powder measure, nipple wrench, cleaning rod, and some plain conical bullets. Provenance: Firearms for Freedom Collection

Very good plus with mottled gray and brown patina on the barrel, silver-gray patina on the standing breech, 20% original case colors on the lock concentrated around the hammer and safety, traces of original blue on the trigger guard and buttplate, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, some areas of minor oxidation and pitting, and general mild overall wear. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, mild dings and scratches mostly on the butt, and attractive figure. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine and exhibit the usual age and storage related wear.