Purdey percussion at auction

I expect it is an Irish registration number. WA for Waterford in SE Ireland. Registration of firearms was required in Ireland and the marks are for the county and the firearm number.
A letter to Purdey would be in order. I believe their records would reveal for whom the rifle was made, and when.
 
This sale has a number of heavy game rifles in it. Modern rifles in addition to these muzzle loading antiques. Along with the Purdey, there is a .75 double and a 4 bore single. It would be quite the experience to shoot them...
 
I have been watching the Purdey also, and I agree on the Irish registation numbers on my research is in the book the early Purdeys, serial number shows that gun made in 1836 and also sold with a extra 36 inch barrel (not stated if it was a shotgun barrel or not) but was says 16 bore. so a little confusion there, I am guessing not the original case but is isnt stated to be the original case either. So the records are either wrong on caliber or the mold isnt correct. The double 12 is a nice gun but the 4 bore confuses me also with the 33 inch barrel and no ramrod, almost as if it was a heavy live pigion gun that got rifled but who knows as many things were done in different ways
 
I think the barrel is too heavy to have been a live pigeon shotgun. The ramrod would likely have been carried with the loading kit by a gun bearer, or the gun would have been used from a blind or howdah.
Interesting guns.
 
never thjought of that most of the big bore guns I have handled were usally back up guns and shorter and it is very interesting gun. The maple stock is another uncommon feature.
this is a 8 bore marked Bortha out of cape town compared to a TC hawken, the ball is .810 diameter

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