December 16, 17, & 18, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #1371:
(C) JAMES PURDEY 12 GAUGE SLE OVER/UNDER SHOTGUN WITH VERTICAL CASE.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2025
Circa 1961. Barrels have very narrow matted solid top rib, and are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England.” on right side of top barrel. Barrels have London nitro proofs for 2 - 3/4" chambers. Bottom barrel is stamped with SN and initials “E.C” (Edward Comben, barrel maker). Woodward-style sidelock action is case hardened, and is engraved with very finely executed Purdey house style bouquet and scroll. Lock plates are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons”. There are raised ribs on tumbler ends as cocking indicators. Bottom of action is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons London England”. Shotgun features automatic safety with “Safe” inlaid in gold, and Purdey non-selective single trigger. Trigger guard has matching scroll with SN at grip. Honey-colored, very finely figured and streaked European walnut straight grip buttstock with coarsely checkered wood butt, and features approximately 24 LPI checkering with mullered borders, drop points, and individual initials “E E” inlaid in gold on toe line. Anson release one piece forend has metal, wood, and checkering to match the rest of gun. Leather motor case has stitched leather corners, interior is lined with maroon cloth with leather Purdey label, another label with particulars of this gun indicating measured chokes, as well as instructions of how to put gun into case. Accessories include 2-pc wooden cleaning rod, and horn striker bottle containing spare strikers. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrels retain nearly all original blue with silvering at muzzles with a few nicks and scratches from use. Bottom barrels breech shows numerous marks from mounting and dismounting from action. Action retains 95% plus original case color, silvering slightly on beads and at bottom. Top lever silvering slightly at top edge. Trigger guard silvering at tang. Wood has most all of its original oil finish with a few light nicks, dents, and scratches from handling and use. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works well. Case is fine, with a number of abrasions. Straps and handles are strong. Interior is fine. Partitions are tight. Labels show marks from contact with barrels.
Internal Bore Diameter
(BOTH) .731