CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5318
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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I have been slow making this post, but let me share with you this fine double rifle I had the pleasure to hold in June 2007.
It was my good fortune to be in London in June 2007. On June 18 I made a pilgrimage to Purdeys. I was outside Audley House that morning waiting for the doors to open.
You can imagine my excitement. This was my first visit to London.
I had a cordial visit with David Maynard, Purdey's historian and the keeper of the records. He gave me a tour of the facility, including the legendary Long Room.
I had the opportunity to inspect all the guns on the rack, and to my delight, one was a newly finished double rifle in .470 Nitro Express. Mr. Maynard said the rifle had been completed only three weeks before. At this date the rifle is still offered on Purdey's website. Here are the specifics of the rifle taken from the website:
Calibre: Rifles
Subcategory: Double rifles
Description: A New Purdey .470 Nitro Express Double Rifle No. 30148. Large Scroll Engraving By S. Maissin. Bright Finish.
Location: Audley House
Trigger: Double Trigger
Chokes: N/A
Rib: Quarter with Express Sights
Case: N/A
Grip: Pistol Grip with Cap
Barrels: 24" (61 cm)
Chambers: 3 1/4"(83 mm)
Weight: 11 lbs 8 oz (5.23 kg)
Stock length: 14 5/8" (371 mm)
Much to my delight Mr. Maynard allowed me to snap some photos of this extraordinary rifle, which I will share with NitroExpress.com.
 
 
This masterpiece can be had for a mere £90,000.
You will have to excuse the less than perfect photography. These shots were taken with a hand-held camera.
Enjoy!
Curl
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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
Edited by DRarchive (30/07/08 11:45 AM)
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ArizonaHunter
.224 member
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 26
Loc: Arizona
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Curl:
What a spectacular rifle! Thanks for the report. You suppose they would take my Merkel .470 in trade?
By the way, during WWII, Audley House - the home for Purdey's - was nearly destroyed by a German V2 bomb. The damage to the beautiful columns adorning the outside of the building continue to show the damage sustained that night and are evident in your first photo. They show as large gouges on the columns on either side of the entrance.
Kim
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JabaliHunter
.400 member
Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
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Speechless!! 
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Ahhh Curl now that's what I'm talking about. You should have bought it! It won't last long at SCI 08'.
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5318
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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I could only wish!
Curl
--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
I could only wish!
Curl
I suppose an hourly rate increase is in order then. 
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romojr
.224 member
Reged: 02/11/05
Posts: 7
Loc: Louisiana
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£90,000 = $176,886! I better go buy a lottery ticket.
No matter the price, it is a beautiful firearm.
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5318
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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It's an unfortunate fact for us mere mortals that the price of best quality rifles seems to be at this level.
Here's a comparable price from the H&H website. They have right now at their London gunroom a .470NE with similar engraving priced at £91,895. Here is a photo:
I guess if you want to play, you have to pay!
Curl
--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
Edited by DRarchive (30/07/08 11:48 AM)
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romojr
.224 member
Reged: 02/11/05
Posts: 7
Loc: Louisiana
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An when I when the powerball, I'll be there for my custom fitting.
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jro45
.300 member
Reged: 25/12/03
Posts: 192
Loc: DE, USA
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Thanks for the Photos, Excellant workmenship.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
It's an unfortunate fact for us mere mortals that the price of best quality rifles seems to be at this level.
Here's a comparable price from the H&H website. They have right now at their London gunroom a .470NE with similar engraving priced at £91,895. Here is a photo:
I guess if you want to play, you have to pay!
Curl
I was talking with David Maynard yesterday, he was telling me we could see a 20-30% price increase at the retail level over the next 24-36 months. Skilled labor is getting more expensive and hard to come by. As the dollar continues to slide, its a mere fact that best guns are on the rise big time.
Edited by DRarchive (30/07/08 11:49 AM)
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JabaliHunter
.400 member
Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
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Is that a rise in UK retail prices or in dollar terms?
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dnovo
.333 member
Reged: 21/02/05
Posts: 490
Loc: Chicago & SE Wisconsin
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Thank you for those marvelous photos. I am privileged to be the current custodiam of a Purdey Double, a very early 1900s hammerless underlever in 303, original case, all the 'toys' to go with it, and in wonderful condition. Almost too nice to shoot -- but I shoot all my rifles -- but still a good shooter at a ripe old age.
Yes, H&H builds a wonderful gun, but given the choice of the two above (and I am not in the market for either) I would spend the money on the Purdey first. Less 'common' like all Purdey doubles in comparison to the H&H and no doubt an investment as hand labor becomes even more prohibitive and workmanship like this may not be available much longer. Dave
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Time Wounds All Heels
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
Is that a rise in UK retail prices or in dollar terms?
They both go hand in hand. I was told that there has been "severe" problems in retaining skilled labor, and that the current workforce is not happy with factory arrangements on time allowances for production.
In short, this all spells drastic future cost increases across the board.
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ArnoldB
.300 member
Reged: 23/07/04
Posts: 139
Loc: Uk
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They did put a new factory manager in charge,who comes from a non gunmaking background (that might explain a few things why the workforce are even less happy then they normally are, not that they were happy before he arrived). Quite a clever move. Why they never stuck with Russel(clever knowledgable guy) I can't understand or put the current under manager in charge. Then again I was talking to someone who used to work there in the 80's , gun production was x amount, forward to cnc era and gun production is still x as in the same. Not an easy job.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I am surprised this hasn't moved yet. However, perhaps it's the engraving pattern, I never cared to much for the way the profile flows in front of the lock plates. Lovely gun nonetheless, and would certainly be a center piece to most any collection.
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starwars
.275 member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 58
Loc: California
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I love Purdey guns they really are made with extreme knowledge and care, this one is no exception.
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Richard
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Richard you should know, since you own about a quadzillion of there guns my friend.
PS. When are you going to sell me that pair of Nelsons? 
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starwars
.275 member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 58
Loc: California
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Quote:
Richard you should know, since you own about a quadzillion of there guns my friend.
PS. When are you going to sell me that pair of Nelsons?
Your one to talk you character, your catching up fast! I think we need to drink another bottle (or 2) of Louis XIII if were going to talk about the PVN's for a price thats in your budget.
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Richard
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starwars
.275 member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 58
Loc: California
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I guess I beat you to it this time youngster! This one is tucked under the pillow now.
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Richard
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
I guess I beat you to it this time youngster! This one is tucked under the pillow now.
Where's my 3% finders fee?
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