I did find a reference where Purdey & Whitworth were real chummy in the 1880s with Purdey being the 1st to opt for the Whitworth Compressed Steel. It was noted Purdey was the exclusive recipient of a large contingent of raw tubes as well as inferred that Whitworth supplied tubes in the raw state, but I don't believe that for a minute. I just don't see Whitworth forging raw tubes. But what I do see is that there was an immediate tube maker who took the Whitworth bar steel and converted it into a tube in the raw, or better, state and then delivered his wares to Purdey and others. Mr. John Robertson looks to be the connection between Whitworth & Purdey. He worked at Whitworth and then on to Purdey where he rose to the upper echelon.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
