Hometown exonumia counterstamped token of a notable gunsmith
Boosibri
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Guessing it is legit. Originally a large cent. Here is some info on EK Purdy. I’m looking for pictures of his guns to match the stamp and style to try and assess legitimacy of the issue.
Purdy, Elijah K., Village of Schoolcraft 1850, 1860 &1870 census
Kalamazoo County. O/U, .47 cal rifle and 10 gage shotgun, 32 ¼” barrels. German silver blade front, rear sight adjustable for elevation. Back action side locks, left hammer has “elephant trunk” nose to reach shotgun nipple. Brass trigger guard with finger rest, two steel triggers. Brass butt plate with iron rivet to brass toe plate. Walnut stock. Barrel marked EK PURDY SCHOOLCRAFT MICH. From the photo of his shop, it looks like Mr. Purdy dealt in a variety of sporting items.
In 1850 the census showed Elijah K. Purdy, 34, Gun Smith, and his wife Abiah 35, both born in New York. Their children were Edgar 7 and Gertrude, 6 months, both born in Michigan. His real estate valued at $1000. Another member of the household was Erastus Purdy, also a gunsmith, born in New York, $300 worth of real estate.
By the 1860 census for Kalamazoo County Elijah K. Purdy was 44, Gunsmith and his wife Abiah 45—except now they are both listed as born in Ohio, not New York. As happened to many families at that time they appear to have lost Gertrude. Now there are two children Edgar K., 16 and Ella, 4, both born in Michigan. The value of his real estate now $3000, personal estate $1300.
Comments
Interesting piece and a great research opportunity for you!
I love stuff like this (as you probably know)
Good luck
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
looks like the planchet was flattened instead of planed. Is the circumference larger than a normal 1851 large cent, weight? If it is it speaks of a machine process and familiarization with metal working in line with gun making. It could also simply be vised
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
I wonder if he is from the Purdey family that produced noted British gun artisans in London starting in the early 1800s?
Coinlearner, Ahrensdad, Nolawyer, RG, coinlieutenant, Yorkshireman, lordmarcovan, Soldi, masscrew, JimTyler, Relaxn, jclovescoins
Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't an optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.
My mind reader refuses to charge me....
That 10 gauge/.47 Caliber O/U must have weighed a ton. Most certainly would have dropped anything you came up against.
Elephant trunk hammer.......
The different last name spelling is a problem. Purdey of London was certainly thriving at that time. Cool token.
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
The token may have been used as a repair check.
I have seen some Purdy firearms at gun shows... They generally command a premium. I have no idea if they had any connection to the British Purdey family. Cheers, RickO
Howd you like to give em both barrels with a 10g/ .47 cal over under??
🤯
Hard to tell the date. 1851?
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
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