A Cased .500 (32-bore) percussion double barrelled sporting rifle, No. 4165, By J. Purdey of 314 1/2 Oxford Street, London. With brown damascus twist sighted barrels, signed in full along the rib, each rifled with eight spiral grooves and leaf sighted from 50 to 100 yards with each leaf has a central platinum line. Border engraved case-hardened breeches each with short platinum line and pierced platinum plug engraved as a rosette and decorated with a symetrical foliate motif on the flat between. Case hardened tang engraved withscrolling foliage, signed border engraved case hardened serial numbered detented flat locks each decorated with foliate scrollwork. The mechanisms retaining their burnished finish, dolphin hammers (each nose repaired) decorated en suiteand each with a blued safety catch in front. Highly figured half stock with cheek piece, chequered grip and fore-end, border engraved blued steel mounts comprising chequered butt plate decorated with foliate scrollwork along the heel tang, serial numbered trigger guard with chequered spur and decorated with foliate scrollwork between borders of repeated flowering foliage on the bow, trigger plate with long slender finial, hinged circular case hardened patch box cover decorated with a flower head centered on a border en suite with the trigger guard, vacant silver escutcheon, foliate engraved barrel-bolt escutcheons, grooved forward trigger, sling button engraved with a flower head, brass mounted ramrod retaining some original finish. In its original oak case partly refitted and relined in burgandy baize with accessories including James Dixon & Sons brass mounted powder flask with bag shaped planished tin body, steel bullet mould and sprue cutter, combination tool in its leather wallet. The interior of the lid with makers trade label (stained and damaged), the exterior with vacant bass escutcheon centered on a flush fitting circular brass carrying handle. London proof marks and James Purdeyss barrelsmith marks. Barrel Length - 71cm. Overall Length - 113.5cm. ** Provenance - Recorded (Unsworth p.159) as sold on the 17th of August 1849. Described as a small double rifle, cased. Built for a Mr Bradley and later resold to a Mr H.W. Salt.