I own a field grade searcy 470NE that shoots great and has taken a nice bull elephant but my dream is to some day own an english side lock double rife in 500NE. I am slowly trying to save up the money. I wondered if anyone knew what Purdey charges for a sidelock double. I don't want to email them becuase I am no where near being able to buy one at this time and don't want to waste their time.

Also, does anyone have an opinion on a side-lock from Westley Richards. They are known for their drop locks but their side-locks look awfully nice on the web site and I bet they are a lot cheaer than Purdey or H&H.
thanks

Hi Carl,

yes, Purdy makes doubels, but only 2 or 3 per year.
You know, they are specialist in shootguns.
The most parts for there doubles are comeing from other firms in London.
Even if you dont have the money yet, write them an mail, Im sure they will answere.

WR ist in my option the best price-for-value english double. Go on the WR webside, you will see the prices for the boxlock, witch are great.

If you "only" have 50.000 to spend, buy a WR, with some nice extras and you will be happy with it for the rest of your life.

Best wishes.

The "B"

I seem to remember them being over 100 grand new. And I think well past that.

If you have to ask, you can't afford one. A new DR from Purdey, will be several times $100k.
I should not have said you can't afford it. I meant I can't.

I wondered how their prices compared to WR and H&H. I will just email them and see if they respond.

The Purdey that was on display at DSC was still in the white,but it was absolutely hands down the best balanced DR that I have ever had the chance to shoulder!!!!!

You might check with Dustin Mounts He is an authorized gunsmith for Purdey in the US.

For a new bespoke Purdey sidelock, my guess is you will be looking at between $150K-$200K. Buy one to go hunt the black rhino sold at DSC. Call Dustin, I am sure he would be salivating at the thought someone might order one.

They have had the one in the white floating around for a while. As I recall it is a 470 and was $187,000

I visited Purdey in London 8 weeks ago. Price for a 500 double was approx. $175000 for the standard side lock. Elaborate engraving was extra.
Wait time was 3 plus years. I also visited H&H
And WR as well.

I am going with WR in 500 droplock , ready for mid 2017 ele!

Interesting that PUrdeys get there barrels from HAmbrusch in Austria.

Cheers
Nick

We will see how the "new" rising bite Rigbys turn out. This is the only newly made English double I personally would be seriously considering eventhough the Rigby name has been beaten to death over the last few years.
If you are fixed on owning a sidelock, get into a vintage H&H Royal at 50% or less what a new one (even less than 50% of a new Purdey) will cost you. May not be a .500NE though.
Hunt it for the rest of your life and let your descendants make money on it when you are gone.

quote:

Interesting that PUrdeys get there barrels from HAmbrusch in Austria.

The most parts are not from Purdy, at a Purdy double...

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:
I visited Purdey in London 8 weeks ago. Price for a 500 double was approx. $175000 for the standard side lock. Elaborate engraving was extra.
Wait time was 3 plus years. I also visited H&H
And WR as well.

I am going with WR in 500 droplock , ready for mid 2017 ele!

Interesting that PUrdeys get there barrels from HAmbrusch in Austria.

Cheers
Nick

Good to hear you went for the handier 500NE mate.
And also good to hear that about Hambrusch.

Yes Adam,
I found the difference in weight and point ability between the 577 and 500 substantial. The 500 action with 26inch barrels felt great in my hands!
The barrels from HAmbrusch for PUrdeys was surprising indeed. I asked around and they all seem to use Krupp steel, that's what WR had in the workshop when I visited. Man that was one impressive place! Should post some photos after I get back from Vegas in a couple of weeks. The WR showroom and factory leaves the others for dead! They have a pair of 150lb ele tusks inside. They absolutely dwarf me.!

My 600 VC is here in 5 weeks time,
Should come down for a shoot with Harry , be good to catch up


Cheers

Nick

They have just adjusted their pricelist.

Up to 500NE £115.000 Ex VAT
577/600NE £122.000 ex VAT


@ Bockhunter.

Could you please tell us mpore about this statement? where doo you have this from?

"The most parts are not from Purdy, at a Purdy double.."

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:
Yes Adam,
I found the difference in weight and point ability between the 577 and 500 substantial. The 500 action with 26inch barrels felt great in my hands!
The barrels from HAmbrusch for PUrdeys was surprising indeed.
Cheers

Nick

I figured you would see the light .
It appears a lot of the English Double rifle trade used or uses Ferlach regulated barrels over the years.

....Buy one to go hunt the black rhino sold at DSC...

Not to hi-jack the thread, but the winner of the auction will be using a V-C 500

quote:

Originally posted by Kebco:
....Buy one to go hunt the black rhino sold at DSC...

Not to hi-jack the thread, but the winner of the auction will be using a V-C 500

This is good to hear. I was hoping that it would be done right with a double as opposed to a bow or bolt gun.

There are three things the sum up everything about rifles.The first is a rifle should be able to hit what the bead is pointing at.The second is that it should do it over and over again or in other words it should be mechanically sound.The third is that it should look good while doing it.Once you have all three you have the ultimate.A rifle needs to prove it can do 1 and 2 before it puts on a tuxedo.

Get a very old Purdey if that's your builder of choice.
You want it made by Purdey don't you?

You might consider watching some of the better auctions. I know of one Purdey 470 NE on Gunsinternational atm that is listed for $165k. I found where it sold at auction several months earlier for $72,500. A $92k markup is just crazy. Since you have time to look and wait a great deal could be found. At that price difference you could have it restocked to fit you and have the rifle sooner and at a much better price point.

A new sidelock fully engraved would be in the 225k to 275k range (new)... 75k will hardly touch a new WR sidelock. More like 105k to 120k would get you close.

Ed

I am aware of a slightly used Purdey sidelock DR for sale from an acquaintance. I believe it can be bought right. If interested, PM me and we can talk.

http://icollector.com/FINELY-E...TH-SCOPE-A_i15604965

Sorry if this link doesn't work properly but for some reason I cannot copy/paste it in the reply box. Rifle was sold March 12, 2013 for $72,500 by James D Julia Inc. It is a game scene engraved 470 built in 1992. The gun is about as nice as they come but I would have made it a 500 NE

The Purdey rifle is built as a self opener and on a Beesley patent action. Nice as it is, I would steer a fellow looking to buy a rifle of this quality to an H&H back action sidelock.

JPK

An English sidelock double in 500NE -- CarlSY, you seem to have priority on a new rifle. If that is so, you are best advised to seek a) as JPK writes, an H&H all of whose sidelock rifles are back action; b) someone else and, for sidelocks that could be Purdey, William Evans, Greener or a new Rigby or, possibly, Boss which is, like Purdey more of a shotgun builder; c) for trigger plate, the David McKay Brown; d) for droplocks, a Westley Richards.

Believe you have more research to do, especially if you are considering something used rather than necessarily something new.

Regards, Tim

quote:

Originally posted by carlsyoung:
I own a field grade searcy 470NE that shoots great and has taken a nice bull elephant but my dream is to some day own an english side lock double rife in 500NE. I am slowly trying to save up the money. I wondered if anyone knew what Purdey charges for a sidelock double. I don't want to email them becuase I am no where near being able to buy one at this time and don't want to waste their time.

Also, does anyone have an opinion on a side-lock from Westley Richards. They are known for their drop locks but their side-locks look awfully nice on the web site and I bet they are a lot cheaer than Purdey or H&H.
thanks

carlsyoung,

If a Purdey is in your future it is a wonderful thing to work toward achieving. I have a very good friend in Italy that has a .470 NE Purdey for sale. I have personally handled the rifle in Italy and it is a thing of beauty and balance. The rifle was completed in July 1958.

James Purdey and Sons Ltd was contacted in March 2008 and provided a letter regarding origin. The rifle is described by Purdey as being completed in July 1958 by James Purdey and Sons of London, England for Messers L’Alcedo. The specifications were described as .470 Purdey hammerless double rifle, 65 cm (25 ½”) barrels, top action, third grip with side clips to action, fixed V rear sight and leaf sights marked at 100 and 200 yards, foresight with guard, single trigger, snap forend, bolted (stalking safety), non-auto safe, self-opening, ejectors, large scroll engraving, oak leaf detonating, pistol grip with cheekpiece, sling swivels, leather covered Silver’s heel pad, and weight 4.8 kg (approximately 10.6 lbs.).

Additional rifle information and features of note include the extended top and bottom straps, stocked for the right hand, and 36.5 cm (approximately 14.37”) length of pull. The rifle comes housed in the maker’s wood and leather case with accessories. The rifle was originally regulated for Kynoch .470 NE ammunition with 500 grain solids and soft nosed bullets.

If you want to see photos send me a PM and we can exchange email addresses so I can email them to you. If this rifle is of interest to you just let me know and I can make the necessary introductions.

I wrote the letter of provenance for this fine rifle and can provide that at the sellers direction for you as well.

Best always,
Shawn