The exact history of this interesting firearm is not known, but it was meant for a local authority in India under British East India Company rule. The rifle was previously confirmed by Purdey to have been completed in December 1849 for "The Nawabh His Royal Highness Odd Howlah." Portions of the latter might have been incorrectly recorded or deciphered. Howlah appears to be Howrah a significant city across from Kolkata and then a major hub for the East India Company in West Bengal. Purdey is known to have manufactured multiple guns for Indian rulers in the period. The inscription on the barrel was translated as: "To Hussein Ali Khan Bahadur. You want to go to war, You will be victorious." "Khan Bahadur" translates to brave leader. This appears to relate to Nawab Hussein Ali II Khan Bahadur of Banganapalle who ruled from 1822 to 1832 as the kiladar/governor. The region was then managed by the British governor of the Madras Presidency, and shortly before his death, he was again appointed to his prior position. His son-in-law Gholam Mohammad Ali Khan II took his place until his own death in 1868. Hussein Ali II Khan Bahadur lived in north Hyderbad after 1832. The second portion of the inscription may relate to the Second Anglo-Sikh War then ongoing in northern India and perhaps recruitment for the army of Madras Presidency. The top of the barrel has "Purdey London" in ornate script with scroll accents in gold inlay on the breech section, a three-leaf rear sight, the Arabic inscription in gold inlay ahead of the rear sight, and a bead front sight. The lock is signed "PURDEY" and has scroll engraving. The upper tang, trigger guard, cap box, and buttplate have a mix of scroll and floral pattern engraving. It is equipped with a single set trigger.

Very good with dark brown patina along the barrel as well as visible Damascus patterns, dark patina on the trigger guard, mostly light gray patina on the remaining metal surfaces, distinct markings and patterns on most of the components aside from the trigger guard, and mild overall wear including light oxidation. The stock is good with a partially stabilized cracks in the forend, faint crack in the wrist, absent wrist escutcheon, attractive figure on the butt, and minor wear on the otherwise distinct checkering. Mechanically fine. Overall a very interesting and attractive English sporting rifle by one of London's finest gunmakers.