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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifle Photos & Archive
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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)

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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



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bonanza
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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"

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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

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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)

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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.



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Anonymous
Unregistered




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

Dripping with elegance

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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.



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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

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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

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93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4199
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.

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26994
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

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