June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms

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Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017

Frederick Beesley was the inventor of the self-cocking sidelock action, known as Patent 31. As a result of starting his own firm, he needed money, and sold the patent to his former employer, James Purdey. This is the action still used by Purdey today. This is a scarce example apparently made right after the patent was sold to Purdey's in 1880. This example features brown blued barrels with solid rib marked "F. BEESLEY (FROM PURDEYS) 2. ST JAMES' STREET. LONDON. CORNER OF PALL MALL". Single brass bead and breeches engraved with fine spiraling English scrolls on tops and on rib. Side lock actions finely engraved with English rose and scroll engraving and marked on both sides "F. BEESLEY/PATENT/FROM/PURDEYS". Bottom of action, action tang, blued opener, and triggerguard are all engraved en suite. All serial numbers match. Features include automatic ejectors, automatic safeties, and gold-plated double triggers. English figured circassion walnut straight buttstock with checkered wrist, checkered butt, and relief teardrops carved behind sideplates. Highly figured checkered splinter fore arm with engraved Anson release. Complete with a reproduction English style leather case with brass corner protectors and lid with black leather name plate with gilt lettering reading "C.M. GATLEY M.B.E.". Partition burgundy felt lined interior with a second set of English proofed barrels with ejectors and matching engraving. This set of barrels is not numbered or marked with maker's markings. Accessories include wooden oiler and wooden breech cleaning tool. Lid has a reproduction Beesley label. Excellent condition as professionally restored, barrels retain 95% reblued finish with some light wear around muzzles and breeches and some scattered marks and minor dents beneath finish. Bores good with some minor corrosion. Actions are strong and function well. Engraving is excellent. Opener and trigger guard retain traces of blue finish, mostly turned to brown. Stocks very good with a few scattered marks from use. CORRECTION: There is a small chip of wood missing on the bottom, behind the action, between trigger floor plate and action. Both sets of barrels are Nitro proof.

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $1,000.00 Final prices include buyers premium: $5,700.00 Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 Number Bids: 11	Auction closed on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

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