Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
A .500 / .465 NITRO EXPRESS SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 23527,
26in. Whitworth-steel nitro chopperlump barrels with matt sight rib, open sights with folding leaf sight and ramp-mounted bead fore-sight, the rib engraved 'J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL', cordite proofed for 75-480 MAX, the short under-rib engraved 'MADE IN ENGLAND', treble-grip action with side-clips and side-bolsters, removable striker discs, the toplever with a flip-up peep-sight, bolted automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'BOLTED' and 'SAFE' details, elongated top strap, cocking-indicators, best fine acanthus scroll engraving with floral bouquets, the underside with 'J. PURDEY & SONS. LONDON.' in an oval cartouche, retaining some original colour-hardening and finish, 14 3/8in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, engraved steel pistolgrip-cap, sling swivels and including 7/8in. rubber recoil pad, weight 11lb. 4oz., in a modern leather case
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this rifle was completed on 10th August 1931 for Raymond Guest as a .500/.465 with 26in. barrels. The makers records indicate that in July 1935 the gun was the property of 'Dalyit Singh of Irdar' and that at that time they made some stock adjustments for him as well as fitting the toplever peep sight.
Research would indicate Raymond Guest to be Commander Raymond Guest OBE (November 1907 - December 1931), American businessman and thoroughbred race horse owner and polo player. From 1965 to 1968, he was United States Ambassador to Ireland.
Dalyit Singh of Irdar would appear to be Maharaja Sri Daljit Singh Sahib Bahadur (1917 - 1992), Maharajah of Irdar state from 1960 to his death in 1992
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Estimate £30,000-40,000
S1 - Sold as a Section 1 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act