September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
Per the included letter from a family member, this gun was purchased for Louise Bell, the wife of James Ford Bell, who was the founder of General Mills. James was an avid sportsman with a particular affinity for shooting quail and canvasback. He was a founding member of the Heron Lake Lodge, purchased a quail plantation in Mississippi, purchased Mardreland Plantation in Georgia in 1948, which has been a model for hunting land management, particularly regarding fire ecology, and even purchased most of the South Shore of Delta Marsh in Manitoba, which now hosts Delta Waterfowl Research Station, a wildlife management program dedicated to preserving the art of duck hunting, which he founded with Aldo Leopoldo. This shotgun was purchased for his wife Louise, who also enjoyed the outdoors and shooting sports, as reflected by its configuration. Manufactured 1934 per the letter, and confirmed by "James Purdey & Sons: Gun and Rifle Makers..." by Dallas. 26"chopper lump barrels with a steel bead front sight on a smooth, concave, depressed rib signed "J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON, ENGLAND". Underside with "61503" and "61504" tube numbers adjacent lump and matching "24826" to serial number. Barrel flats with mixed date proofs for a nitro proved 2" choked gun with 7/8 oz of shot; the refresh in the 1980s explains the mixed date. Discrete "AV" barrel makers initials ahead of barrel flat. Splinter tip forearm with a reinforced Anson plunger release, checkered in point pattern, and engraved with classic English small scroll on exterior iron. Interior with matching serial number and with "L.H" actioner initials. Classic Purdey self opening sidelock action with cocking indicators and disc set strikers, engraved with nicely cut Purdey house rose and scroll, and case colored. Bottom of action with "J. PURDEY & SONS / LONDON / ENGLAND". Single non selective mechanical Miller trigger protected by an open scroll engraved trigger guard with long tang which has serial number towards rear. Automatic safety with "SAFE" inlaid in gold ahead of tab. Densely grained and fiddlebacked walnut stock with teardrops, diamond grip, silver oval at toe line engraved "LB" for Louise Bell, and finished by a soft red rubber recoil pad with covered screws. CONDITION: Very good as partially refreshed by Purdey in the 1980s. Barrels with the vast majority of a Purdey quality reblack with some thinning to sharp edges and scattered minor handling marks. Checkering on forearm worn flat, almost smooth in some places, with some handling marks and impressions but no cracks and only a minor fleck chip on right fang. Locks with faded case colors with better retention on plate and lining towards edges and carry point. Stock is good with some handling marks, scattered impressions, and a minor grain check behind left lock. Behind the right lock, there is an indication of well-repaired grain split. Engraving is crisp and well executed throughout. Mechanically fine, ejectors are strong and in time, bores are bright and shiny with some minor striations ahead of forcing cones.
Barrel Wall Thickness
(L) .0195 (R) .021
Internal Bore Diameter
(L) .728 (R) .7295
Length of Pull
13 - 1/16" over pad, cast off for a right handed shooter
Paperwork
Photocopy of Photographs