Congratulations! A wonderful and useful rifle. I gave a close look to that one also. I have a couple just like it. They are very accurate and pleasant to shoot. You will have no regrets.

One I have is #14967, made in 1894. It also has the warning engraved on the bottom rib: "FOR BLACK POWDER ONLY".

Purdeys got carried away with warnings on that one. They used a rubber stamp to place warnings on the charge card also. I see they didn't do it to yours.

I have an earlier one, #13577, which should date to 1891. It does not have these warnings.

Curl