Is this a dust/sand cover for SMLE mk3 muzzle?

[ColinR]

Certainly not for a SMLE, why don't you contact Purdy with the pictures. I am sure that they will enlighten you. I suspect that it is for a double rifle or shotgun.

That would seem an obvious thing to do, but the notion escaped me in favour of asking you knowledgeable lot. I'll ask the question and post any reply.

[Chapuis]

Totally thrown. It doesn't look like a W.D. broad arrow mark to me, and I don't think that the famous London gunmaker would have referred to themselves as proprietary. Any chance of some more detailed photographs showing the mark in the groove and whether the two wings are the same length.

[dromia]

There is more than one Purdey in the world.

[ColinR]

Totally thrown. It doesn't look like a W.D. broad arrow mark to me, and I don't think that the famous London gunmaker would have referred to themselves as proprietary. Any chance of some more detailed photographs showing the mark in the groove and whether the two wings are the same length.

Possibly not a WD broad arrow but some strange makers mark. The wings are both the same length at 1.5" and are 1" apart, which I would think is possibly wider than the thickness of a double rifle rib????

The inscription is not 'PTY' but P.P TD. I'll do a search for Purdey P.P TD given Dromia's suggestion there are more than the obvious Purdey in existance, but two gunmakers with the same name?

[ColinR]

Can't find anything under Purdey P.PTD, but wonder if this is an abbreviation for 'Patent Protected'.

I have emailed James Purdey with photo and hope for an answer. I am fairly certain this is military from WW1 given the provenance, but quite what hopefully Purdey can answer. I'm surprised that nobody here can identify this piece, whatever it might be.