Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***
You are not logged in. [Login] Main Index · Search · Active Topics
New user · Who's Online · FAQ · Calendar

Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifle Photos & Archive
Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Pages: 1
WildCattle
.275 member


Reged: 22/03/06
Posts: 95
Loc: Northern California
J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8
      #179813 - 24/04/11 03:44 AM

Hello,
Look what I found in my Easter Egg hunt:



She is a queen born on 9/3/1891. She has not been molested ever since.
Purdey rifle in 450/400 2&7/8 caliber.
The caliber itself is not well known as apparently only Purdey chambered it.
The loading is here:



I.e 96 grains of BP.
This is a much stiffer loading than the regular 2 3/8 chambering. The normal bullet weight seems to be in the 255 grs range. The bores measure .405". I expect the velocity to be in the 1850fps range, which would be pretty close to the .303 BR ballistics.
The bores are as new, so she has not had much use.
She was built for the Marquis of Caudon (sp.?), whom I have not been able to trace yet.
The case shows labels from London and Scotland.
Purdey's record shows that the Stocker was Dean and she was "put together" by Bilston.
Here are more pictures.



She is built with a snap action which makes the Jones lever snap shut on closing the gun.
It's a lot better than the regular system.



She has side clips, island rebounding locks with safeties, a cheek piece and a steel butt plate.



The sights are classic.



The engraving is magnificent, likely by Lucas.



She weighs 7# 12oz, and balances 3" 5/8 ahead of the breech, just as when it left Audley House.

I need now to do chamber casts in order to get some dies made.
Unfortunately the bullet mold is missing. If you know of one, please let me know.

Best regards,
WC

--------------------
You know you have reached perfection of design not when you have nothing more to add, but when you have nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Edited by CptCurl (24/04/11 09:36 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
gatsby
.375 member


Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 862
Loc: inland valley CA USA
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: WildCattle]
      #179823 - 24/04/11 05:32 AM

Nice looking gun. Where are you doing your egg hunting?

--------------------
"Recoil is insignificant when there is a tiger on the head of your elephant" The Maharaja of Cooch Behar



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: WildCattle]
      #179824 - 24/04/11 05:55 AM

Rare find to include the original case.

--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Buchsemann
.333 member


Reged: 12/12/08
Posts: 439
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: bonanza]
      #179847 - 24/04/11 01:07 PM

A very nice find indeed, congratulations.

--------------------
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.

- John Dryden

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
kamilaroi
.400 member


Reged: 18/12/04
Posts: 1803
Loc: sydney, new south wales, Austr...
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: Buchsemann]
      #179848 - 24/04/11 04:33 PM

Nice engraving, particlarly the "dolphin head" hammers and shaping of the fences and the reference to (transitional) frizzens.

Edited by kamilaroi (24/04/11 09:27 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: kamilaroi]
      #179869 - 24/04/11 09:37 PM

WC,

That is just lovely. When you grow tired of it please give me a call.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Anonymous
Unregistered




Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: CptCurl]
      #179872 - 24/04/11 11:20 PM

Dripping with elegance

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Watson577
.300 member


Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 132
Loc: Fredericksburg, Virginia USA
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: ]
      #179981 - 26/04/11 08:06 AM

Simply gorgeous! Especially so since it resides in its original case. I too am keenly interested in where you are looking for Easter eggs

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
rigbymauser
.400 member


Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 1972
Loc: Denmark
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: Watson577]
      #180097 - 27/04/11 04:09 PM

My facination for doubles with jones underlever, backaction hammer guns, will never stop. The doubles with the flimsy toplever are nice ofcouse, but will never superseed the underlever for function and aestetics.
Thank you Easter bunny for sharing this beautiful Purdey.

Edited by rigbymauser (27/04/11 04:10 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
WildCattle
.275 member


Reged: 22/03/06
Posts: 95
Loc: Northern California
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: gatsby]
      #180104 - 27/04/11 05:39 PM

Thanks everyone for the comments. This one certainly has "the magic touch" we all look for.
I had to go to France to get that one. I guess I have a large yard.
She actually showed up in this site before. Somebody found the web ad. I did as well a couple of years ago, and then could not find it again, until about 2 months ago. Voila.
WC-

--------------------
You know you have reached perfection of design not when you have nothing more to add, but when you have nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Kapu
.275 member


Reged: 12/03/07
Posts: 53
Loc: Finland
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: WildCattle]
      #180117 - 27/04/11 08:08 PM

WildCattle,

Bugger, I got just chocolate Easter egg, should I re consider of changing the 1st lady or the hunting ground for the Easter eggs?

Congrats, something worth of hunting with that condition and details. Will try to do by my self as well, maybe Santa Claus would be more favorable

Kapu

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: Kapu]
      #180120 - 27/04/11 08:32 PM

WC,

I'm curious about the stalking safety on the right lock. It's shorter than what I have seen on other rifles.



I've not seen one with that appearance.

In comparison, here's a photo of my .500BPE:



I'm wondering if it's a different design.

Have you shot her yet? You are one fortunate man.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
WildCattle
.275 member


Reged: 22/03/06
Posts: 95
Loc: Northern California
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: CptCurl]
      #180147 - 28/04/11 12:32 AM

Hi Curl,
It's unusual indeed. It seems to grab the hammer shank inside the lock rather than outside. I had never seen this either. I'll take a pic of the innards if I remove the locks.
I need to get some custom dies made to reload it, so I have not shot it yet.
WC-

--------------------
You know you have reached perfection of design not when you have nothing more to add, but when you have nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
CJF
.333 member


Reged: 07/08/17
Posts: 274
Loc: United States
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: WildCattle]
      #387369 - 23/10/24 06:06 AM

Hello WC,

I know this is an ancient thread, but I thought I'd see if you were still active on this board...I also have a Purdey 450/400 2 7/8"s DR. Mine is a little later than yours, dating from 1895. It's a hammerless self-opener.

I was wondering if you had any more observations about loading for this round to share or if you had a chance to use it on game. Mine loves jacketed 210gr bullets and black powder. I've heard from another shooter that they used 4198 and backer rod to good effect.

Anything to share?

Chris

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4212
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: CJF]
      #387373 - 23/10/24 06:59 AM

Magnificent rifles indeed, with exquisite engraving on both WC & CC's rifles!
Yes it would be wonderful to know the loads for this old round for prosperity.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27032
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: J Purdey 450/400 2 7/8 [Re: WildCattle]
      #387376 - 23/10/24 11:37 AM

Quote:

Hi Curl,
It's unusual indeed. It seems to grab the hammer shank inside the lock rather than outside. I had never seen this either. I'll take a pic of the innards if I remove the locks.
I need to get some custom dies made to reload it, so I have not shot it yet.
WC-



Most likely, the safety engages a notch on the tumbler. just a guess.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1


Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Extra information
0 registered and 24 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:  CptCurl 

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating:
Topic views: 7507

Rate this topic

Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved