GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXQUISITE 28 GAUGE JAMES PURDEY LIGHT GAME GUN ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID BY KEN HUNT WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES.PURDEYSXS SIDELOCK2779528 GAMODERNCal. 28 GA 2-3/4" Chambers. Made in 1971, this lovely little gun has 26" chopper lump bbls fitted with slightly raised, narrow, matted rib. Tops of bbls are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons." "Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England." Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, bottom of left bbl with bbl makers initials "BF" (Brian Frost ?). Tube nos. 70651 and 70652 are on loop. Scaled down, Beesley patent, self-opening sidelock action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), side clips, bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and sgl non-selective trigger with wide finger blade. Action and lockplates are engraved with typical Purdey house style rose and scroll. Rose bouquets have been meticulously two color gold inlaid in full relief, to very dramatic effect. "J. Purdey & Sons" is flush gold inlaid at bottom of each lockplate, as well as on bottom of action, over "LONDON ENGLAND". Case hardening is unusually dark, further accentuating the gold. This very fine work is signed by highly regarded master engraver Ken Hunt on trigger plate. Small bow, single beaded trigger guard has typical scroll engraving, and SN gold inlaid at grip. Exceptional, dark, intricately veined, and beautifully flame figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over skeleton steel buttplate, engraved to match action. Stock features classic drop points and checkering at grip, and a gold oval engraved "J.J.S." is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend with Anson release has SN engraved on iron along with actioners initials "T.B". Bore diameter: left -.550, right -.552. Bore restrictions: left -.006 (IC), right -.008 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.030. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 5 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Exceptionally fine oak and dark brown pigskin leather case with brass corners has tan cloth outer cover. Case is lined in royal blue suede and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, along with charge card for this gun. Bottom portion is semi french fitted for action and bbls and full french fitted for accessories which include Purdey marked oil bottle, striker case with spare strikers (non-Purdey), and vaseline jar. Other accessories include rosewood handled 28 ga chamber brush, horn handled turnscrew, and rosewood handled dusting brush. Accessories in covered compartment include another horn handled turnscrew, tweezers type broken case extractor, and another ebony striker bottle with more strikers. Also included is 2-pc brass and walnut cleaning rod with mop, jag, and brush in black morocco wallet and a pair of snap caps. PROVENANCE: Purdey letter with specifications, instruction manual in envelope, and Purdey marked 1998 diary with black morocco leather cover. Larry Baer Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, with evidence of relatively light field use. Bbls retain over 95% orig blue with some light handling marks, and silvering on sharp edges. Action retains approx 80% case hardening color, silvered on fences and beads, thinning on bottom from normal hand wear. Lockplates retain nearly all of their color, right plate color somewhat thinned at rear from finger wear. Top lever is silvered on thumbpiece. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a re-blue, slightly silvered at grip. Nearly all fire blue is gone from hinge pin. Tumbler ends are silvered on ribs. Stocks retain nearly all of their hand rubbed oil finish, with perhaps some extra oil rubbed in for maintenance, over some light marks and scratches, checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Drop is excellent. Ejectors are in time. Trigger is a bit balky, undoubtedly just needs cleaning, as it appears this gun has been in storage for a while. Case leather is excellent, as protected by its outer cover, which has some staining. Interior leather is excellent, with some light marks and compressions. Accessories are excellent. A sweetheart of a gun, not so minty that you can''t take it afield. 49427-4 MGM271 (55,000-85,000)