GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
SUBLIME MASTERPIECE OF FUNCTIONAL SPORTING ART, EXCEPTIONAL KEN HUNT RELIEF SCULPTED JAMES PURDEY .410 SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH CASE.JAMES PURDEYSIDE BY SIDE SIDELOCK28483.410MODERNCal. .410. 3" Chambers. 28" Chopper lump bbls with slightly raised, matted, concave game rib, are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons." "Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with 1981 London nitro proofs for 3" chambers. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. Bottom of left bbl is stamped "PURDEY" and with bbl makers initials "AH" (long time Purdey craftsman, Alf Harvey). Tube nos. 75353 and 75354 are on loop. Case hardened, Beesley patent, self-opening, sidelock action with rounded bar, is as small as this action is possible to make due to complex cocking and self-opening mechanism; strikers are .84" apart, action bar is .98" deep and 1.415" wide. It has been estimated that fewer than 30 of these small actions have been made by Purdeys since they first rose to the challenge in the late ''20''s, with only 6 being built before WWII. Action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, side clips, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and gold-plated double triggers (front articulated). Action and lockplates of this fine example, are fully relief sculpted with scrolled grape leaves and ferns with floral highlights. This exquisite work serves as background and counterpoint to game scenes with subjects carved in full relief; a covey of quail rise from thicket with fence line and trees in background on left lockplate, and a flock of white winged doves erupt from trees on right. The outline of distant mountains fades into the open background. Bottom of action depicts a pointing pointer in dense brush land. Leaf and floral motif extends to fences, top lever, and single beaded trigger guard, which has SN on tang. Fire blued hinge pin is relief engraved in floral motif. Both bird scenes are signed by revered master engraver, Ken Hunt, who was trained by Harry Kell, and worked exclusively for Purdeys through the middle ''50''s, and has been freelance since then, and is responsible for some of the finest firearms engraving extant. Trigger guard tang extends to horn grip cap with large inset vacant gold oval. Very fine dark, heavily marbled and nicely stump figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-7/8" over skeleton steel buttplate, which is engraved to match action and other furniture. Typical drop points are behind lockplates, and standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders wraps over top of grip. Long beavertail ejector forend has Anson release, and interior is stamped with actioners initials "BD" (Ben Delay,Jr, (?) son of long time Purdey actioner, Ben Delay, Sr). Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.390, right -.393. Bore restrictions: left - (full), right - (mod). Wall thickness: left -.035, right -.042. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 5 lbs 14 oz. LOP: 14-7/8". Makers orig oak and leather case with brass corners and brass central medallion is accompanied by its orig canvas outer cover with tan leather trim, and strap closure. Case is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, and paper charge label for this particular gun. Case contains 2-pc brass and composition cleaning rod with brush, mop, jag and shell extractor, in brown leather wallet with Purdey address, Purdey marked large square oil bottle, pair of snap caps, Purdey marked striker key with walnut handle, and a pair of matching turnscrews. Covered compartment holds a striker case with spare strikers, and two keys. PROVENANCE: Consignor''s notes. This gun was made especially for Larry Sheerin, renowned sportsman, rancher, investor, Colt collector, adventurer, and publisher of the "American Gun" 1961-1962, and "Antique Arms Annual 1971". Purdey ledgers support all specifications, and also states stocker was Bill O''Brien. With other notes on gun and Larry Sheerin by R. L. Wilson. Also a statement by Larry Sheerin stating "Purdey no. 28483 was ordered by me some 30 odd years ago as a gun I could use in the field for small upland birds, namely doves and quail. I contacted Ken Hunt and told him to simply do me a design that he would consider his finest work. As you can see, he complied with my wishes. The sculpted steel figures and the rest of the motif make this, in my opinion, one of Ken Hunt''s finest works." Signed Larry Sheerin with a P.S. " Because of the overall beauty of this piece, I never took it into the field, simply left it in my gun room and have admired it all these years." CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, appears unfired since proof, with only some minor assembly and handling marks on wood and metal, and extractor wipe marks on breechface. Gold of triggers and oval on grip considerably darkened. Mechanically crisp. Case leather is excellent, near new, as protected by its outer cover, which only has some light stains. Interior is excellent with some minor rubs. Accessories are excellent. An opportunity to own one of the world''s finest guns, impossible to duplicate today. 49467-1 MGM204 (80,000-120,000)