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Sidelock
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How about just lining the barrels back to original to shoot blackpowder loads only.

Last edited by Jerry V Lape; 04/26/11 03:03 PM.
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Sidelock
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Hard to tell for sure, but the rib looks to have been changed and rifle sights removed when smoothbored. A new rifle set in a good African caliber [maybe even .375] along with the shotgun barrels would make a great "one gun" combo for hunting anywhere in the world.

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Geno Offline OP
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Original Purdey record says
Purdey No. 15319
Completed - 1895 for The Duke of Leuchtenburg
Calibre - .500 back powder rifle
Barrel length - 27" Whitworth steel
Stock length - 14 11/16" with Silver heel pad
Weight - 9 lb 12 1/2 oz
Action with 3rd grip and clip sides
Lever over guard opening

The top rib doesn't look replaced to me, but sights, yea, removed. The one of hooks looks terrible, somebody wanted to make barrels on face and hammered this hook.
To restore this gun professionally would cost $$$.


Geno.
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Sidelock
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Boy, am I getting blind in my old age, or is it just my short term memory; it is a lever over guard, with third fastener in rear lump. No wonder I couldn't see a "Purdey" third fastener rib extension.

An exceptionally strong action, weight a bit high for .375. Just right for .450 nitro; would probably finish at 10 lbs. 8 oz.

A new hinge pin would be done with re-barrel. Hook and lumps of original barrels can be cleaned up and re-fit with micro-weld; I haven't seen too many that were beyond restoration. Still a very expensive project. I wouldn't want to pay much over 10 K for the gun "as is" if stocks etc. are ok.

What is the present gauge, and weight? It looks like a 28.

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Sidelock
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Originally Posted By: Mal Mac Gregor
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.


Sorry Mal, but apart from the safety "safety" I fail to see a top lever (?).

Sorry, you had already posted your above post.

JC

Last edited by JayCee; 04/26/11 04:54 PM.

"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance."ť Charles Darwin
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Sidelock
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Does anyone have a photo of a "lever over guard" gun from another angle so I can see what it looks like?

Early thanks.

JC


"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance."ť Charles Darwin
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Sidelock
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JC, I believe it is your basic Jones underlever. You can just see the end of the lever in the photo in the open position. I have seen Purdey rifles of this vintage using this lever and they have an assisted closing action as the lever is swung.
Terry


Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought stupid,than open it and confirm.
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Sidelock
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Terry, thank you. I was thinking that was something to hold the rifle for the photo.

JC


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Purdey's improvement of the Jones underlever was to fit it with a sliding "Purdey bolt" that engaged the rear of the rear lump. This bolt was forced into its bite by a very strong V spring mounted on the rear of the action bar which made the entire bolting system a "snap action". It was so strong that you had to make sure your fingers were out of the way when you closed the action and tripped the bolts so that you didn't get a good bruise. It was used on both hammer and hammerless rifles and maybe a few guns built for heavy loads. I have a 10 bore hammer rifle with this action which I have tried to make a strong enough spring for with little success so far. I left it with "Doc" Hutton this winter for a good one. Maybe this summer.

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