Lot 1393

Steduto Engraved J. Purdey & Sons Dangerous Game Double Rifle

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Steduto Engraved J. Purdey & Sons Dangerous Game Double Rifle

Estimate: $120,000 - $180,000

Starting Bid: $100,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Magnificent Giovanni Steduto Signed and Big Five Game Scene Master Engraved J. Purdey & Sons Self-Opening Sidelock Dangerous Game Double Rifle with Case James Purdey & Sons are one of the world's leading makers of fine arms and are known for crafting some of the highest quality guns and rifles on the planet. This magnificent double rifle is an excellent example of their craftsmanship, displaying stunning embellishment themed after Africa's Big Five carried out by world renowned Master Engraver Giovanni Steduto, one of the founding members of the famed Creative Art Studio. Not only does the rifle look the part, but it handles beautifully and its .375 H&H chambering makes it a very serious rifle, ready to handle any big or dangerous game animal out there, from white-tail to elephant. Built with blacked steel chopperlump barrels featuring a beaded blade fore sight with flip-up moon bead on a ramped base, front sling swivel on the under rib, matted rear quarter rib which hosts a two-leaf (one standing, one folding) rear sight with gold inlaid centerlines and "150x/60x" regulation marks as well as a set of German style claw mounts, and a third bit rib extension. The sunken portion of the rib is engraved ".375 H&H", "J. PURDEY & SONS" and "LONDON . ENGLAND" are marked on the right and left barrel respectively, a band of border engraving at the breech, London proof marks dated 2005 on the flats, import mark on the bottom of the left barrel, and chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the brushed bright finished Beesley patent self-opening sidelock bar-action. The action features bushed firing pins, bolstered frame, sideclipped fences, gold centerline cocking indicators, a right hand beaded trigger guard, double triggers (front articulated), top strap over comb, extended bottom strap to the grip cap, and a tang mounted manual safety with secondary bolted safety. The gun is embellished with exceptionally well-executed black leaf scroll engraving over a blackened background surrounding the deep relief carved acanthus scroll on the fences as well as three exquisite game scenes. The left side of the action depicts a pair of bachelor cape buffalo bulls eying the observer looking as though they are deciding whether to charge or turn tail, the underside depicts a bull elephant eying the observer and determining his fate, and the right side shows a pair of male lions furiously battling for supremacy, with all of the scenes cut in exceedingly fine detail in the bullino style. The black leaf then flows off of the action and onto the trigger guard which is engraved with a leopard laying in wait, the toplever showing a bust of a roaring lioness, and both of the extended straps. The engraving is signed "G. Steduto Creative Art" on the triggerplate to the right of the triggers for the master engraver and his studio. The rifle is fitted with a wonderfully well-figured and mullered border multi-point checkered splinter forend with brushed bright and matching engraved Anson button release and iron marked "PURDEY" as well as a pistol grip stock with tear drop carved drop points, an engraved and brushed bright trapdoor grip cap containing an extra fore sight blade, shadowline cheekpiece, a gold stock oval marked "J.P.H.", rear sling swivel, and a leather covered recoil pad. Includes a maker's oak and leather flat case with canvas cover marked "J.P.H." and containing a nickel oil bottle and leather sling. Length of pull 15 inches. Weight 10 lbs. 1 oz.

Manufacturer: Purdey J & Sons Ltd

Model: Double Rifle

BBL: 24 inch solid rib

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 375 H&H Magnum

Finish: black/brushed bright

Serial Number30182

Class: Modern Long Gun

  • Condition: Excellent, retaining 98% original black finish, a few tiny patches of spotting in the highly attractive brushed bright finish, and a few light handling marks. There is a tiny hairline crack at the rear of the right lockplate; otherwise, the wood is very good with some dings and scratches and overall sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine. This is a great chance to own a stunning, and highly capable, English double rifle!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000