Rare Jeffery rook rifle by Purdey at Holt’s

 

PurdeyHolt’s Auctioneers is selling a rare .255 Jeffery single-barrelled rounded-bar boxlock ejector rook rifle, made by J. Purdey & Sons with an estimate of £3000 to £5000.

“Who wouldn’t want to own this lovely little rook rifle – or ‘pea rifle’ as Purdey’s once termed them,” commented Holt’s Auctioneers’ Chris Beaumont, adding: “It’s so perfectly in proportion and in amazingly original condition. Rook rifles were very much working tools and usually suffer the wear and tear that goes with, so to find one as tidy as this is rare – especially one by Purdey’s.”

The rifle features a 27in. black powder only octagonal barrel, top flat partially matted and engraved ‘SHOT & REGULATED BY J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON’, open sights and two folding leaf sights with white metal inlaid sight-lines and marked for 50, 100 and 150 yards, bead fore-sight, the breech end with some acanthus scroll detailing and marked ‘J. 255.’, trademark ‘E’ quality hammerless action with teardrop fences, and matted standing breech, removable striker disc, automatic safety with gold-inlaid ‘SAFE’ detail, non-selective ejector, the action and furniture profusely engraved with acanthus scrollwork with beaded borders, rounded bar with scrolling banners engraved ‘J. PURDEY & SONS’, retaining much original colour-hardening, 14 3/8in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with engraved steel pistolgrip-cap, Hackett patent snap fore-end with horn finial, weight 5lb. 6oz., in its lightweight leather case with claret velveteen-lined interior and original Purdey trade label.

The auction takes place on Thursday 18th June.

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