I would bet that this was a double rifle in a previous life.
probably .450 or .500BPE.
The serial number should not be on the action flat, but on the grip tang.
The tang was probably changed from pistol grip to straight when the gun was rebarelled and restocked.
I need to look at my guns patent numbers, but I would venture to believe an early 1890s gun, maybe SN 13477 instead of 16477.
More to come.
WC-
That makes some sense. The serial number was etched (poorly) on the action flat, the grip tang and the barrels - all in the same hand. I didn't have another Purdey to compare, but the script on the rib was upside down from the left side of the gun. That is for a right hand shooter, holding the gun in the ready position, the Purdey name and address were upside down. Was it made for a left hander? Or is this typical of Purdey? Lots of questions with this gun...
