An Exceptionally Fine & Rare Military Rifle by Purdey. 50 ½” overall, 34” browned twist barrel with octagonal breech numbered ‘17’, rifled with ten spiral grooves, octagonal at the breech and with folding leaf sights from '100' to '200' yards, each leaf with central platinum line, Birmingham Proofs. Case hardened patent breech and tang each numbered '17’, the former with pierced platinum plug and oval steel protective shield, case hardened detented flat lock singed ‘Purdey’ numbered on the inside, case hardened hammer, figured three quarter stock with cheek piece, plain brass mounts comprising butt plate, spur trigger guard, turned ramrod pipes, fore end cap, brass tipped ramrod with horn terminal.
Circa 1833
In mint condition and retaining nearly all its original finish, with a modern bullet mould made for the rifle.
This is one of a unique stand-of-arms consisting of thirty five weapons commissioned by the 5th Earl of Tankerville (1776-1859) of Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, complete with bayonets and other accessories, to arm a body of yeomanry. Purdey completed the order between February 1832 and June 1833. The first thirty three weapons are virtually identical and were supplied at a cost of £10 each including bayonets. Numbers 34 and 35 were of higher quality priced at £15 15s each, and were intended for use by Lord Tankerville and his son, Lord Ossulston. See Unsworth pp. 106-107, pls. 92-93