Resurrecting this old thread.

In June 2007 I was in London and had the chance to visit Purdey's on S. Audley Street. What an experience!

While there I had the pleasure to talk with David Maynard, the Purdey historian. I discussed this rifle with him. We reviewed the records, and the proof marks on these barrels. He said there is no possibility that the barrels are replacement barrels because (1) Woodward always assigned a new serial number to replacement barrels (these bear the original serial number), and (2) the records show no indication of new barrels for this rifle.

So, he concludes that these are the original barrels that were later submitted for nitro proof. They have no "reproof" stamp, but Mr. Maynard says that is not very unusual.

A mystery solved, and still a splendid double rifle.

Curl