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Forums10
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Most Online9,918 Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1 |
Purdey's DR .500 BP Express, circa 1895. Lever just at front of safety button, is this for barrels fire sequence? Why? 
Geno.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185 |
That switch is for "should you sell that old double to me" it is switched to yes.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1 |
That switch is for "should you sell that old double to me" it is switched to yes. I guess its pointing NO!  Rifled barrels been overbored to smooth ones  Do you wnat it still? 
Geno.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185 |
Mate, its a thing of beauty - rifled or smooth I would like it in my collection. I dont actually know the purpose of the lever. I do love old guns with character, and that old piece has it in spades.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 721
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 721 |
Perhaps it prevents the safety from being inadvertantly activated under heavy recoil form the first barrel?
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 470
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 470 |
The lever is a safety bolt to block the safety in the "safe" position; engaged while your tracker, or someone else is carrying your rifle to keep them from shooting you in the back.
LOVELY RIFLE! [at least it was]
All the best, Mal
Last edited by Mal Mac Gregor; 04/26/11 08:03 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,768 Likes: 115
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,768 Likes: 115 |
Spot on Mal. Gun bearers were notorious for fiddling with things. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 465
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 465 |
Mal and Lagopus have it nailed. The usual name is a stalking safety and the configuration on the Purdey is the most common one. Rigby's tended to inlet a small square button which one depressed to hold the safety in place. I have even see one on a Mauser BA with a mod-70 type safety. It was a lever let into the top of the safety lever that froze the safety in on position and was a wonderful little piece of machining. I have only seen this once and it was worth buying the rifle for that alone!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1 |
Thanks Mal. The present owner of this 'lovely ex-rifle' wants a bit more, than 30 grand for that piece. It was made for some Russian-German Duke Purdey people say. I offered him $500, because of destroyed barrels. He lives in Ekatherinburg and seems this city is famous not only for Czar's family killing, but for destroing best guns as well.
Geno.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 470
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 470 |
Very fine re-inforced top lever action. possible to have a new set of barrels made in say .450 nitro keeping the "original" barrels as is.
Not worth 30 K in my opinion. Your $500 offer might be a bit light, however.
Purdey hammerless double rifles are very scarce with only about 500 ever made in all grades and locking methods.
All the best, Mal
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