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Hi
I've just purchased this rifle from the USA.
It was sold as a Martini Purdey but doesn't have any serial numbers which would make that unlikely.
It does have a fair few markings and what looks to be a military coat of arms.
Does anyone know what it is?
Thanks for any ideas!
Welcome to the forum, it looks like gentleman's sporting rifle.
Hi Jim
Thanks so much for the information!
I'm glad you think it's a Purdey, it's been troubling me. Why do you think it has no serial numbers, Purdey seems to be religious about them?
I wonder how it ended up in the US?
Any idea of that military coat of arms?
Thanks so much for the response. I really appreciate you taking the time.
Regards
David
I have just stumbled across the fact it is a Martini Braendlin, possibly made by The Braendlin Armoury Co and finished by Purdey.
I can't attest to Purdey, but there's some here that will know for sure. I don't know why they haven't come forward yet... The number thing, also hard to figure unless the number was engraved over. The pics could be bigger, not much detail there...have you looked under the wood for the serial number? As long as it has one no one cares where it is. To be honest, I can't even see a coat of arms, or one I can recognize.
I see now, you're still waiting for this rifle...
Hi Jim
The guns in the gunshop at Sydney after being shipped from the US, just waiting on my permit to acquire to come through! I try to get some better pics up!
I have another Purdey, so wrote to my contact there over night. This is what he came back with:-
Dear Mr. Rowe
Thank you for your email. The rifle you have purchased is a Martini action, which we appear to have brought in from the Birmingham trade, as indicated by the proof marks and the B under crossed pennants, which I believe is the mark of the Braendlin Armoury, seen in a shield on top of the action. From memory I believe it is quite early, as the safety-catch was not in use for very long, and this might be backed up by the number '1617', which would be the usage number of the patent (ie. This was the 1617 rifle built on this patent by that company). If there is a serial number on there, perhaps either in the 10,000 or 11,000 range, or beginning with an A, then I may be able to link it to a buyer. From the address and the markings, I believe it dates to the first half of the 1870s, but could be any date up until 1883, when we left Oxford Street for our current address.
I hope this is of use, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Nicholas Harlow
Gun Sales Team
James Purdey & Sons Ltd.
DDI: +44 (0) 20 3428 2120
Mobile: +44 (0) 7435 414837
James Purdey and Sons Ltd | Best Quality London Shotgun and Rifles
I guess good to know it is a Purdey but still so many questions I'd love to know!
Those pics are better...