GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXQUISITE SMALL BORE JAMES PURDEY EXTRA FINISH GAME GUN WITH EXCEPTIONAL RELIEF ENGRAVING AND GOLD INLAY IN THISTLE PATTERN BY KEN HUNT WITH CASE.PURDEYSXS XTRA2754616 GAMODERN(1968) Cal. 16 ga. 26" Chopper lump bbls are engraved "J. Purdey & Son. Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England." on narrow, swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 16 ga. 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and bottom of left bbl is stamped with bbl makers initials "JA" (J. Aldous, long time bbl maker for Purdey). Coin finished, self-opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), hidden third fastener, side clips, bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and Purdey single selective trigger with broad finger blade, specially filed and curved. Action is engraved with exceptionally well done, dramatically shaded, large open scrolling thistles and acanthus, in a pattern designed by world renowned master engraver, Ken Hunt, based on classic Baroque style, with scroll terminations in the form of griffin and chimera heads. In this rendering, thistle leaves and semi-relief gold inlaid thistle blooms sprout from griffin's mouth. Bottom of action is engraved with more thistle foliage and blooms under "J. Purdey & Sons" on riband. "J. Purdey & Sons London-England" is on both sides of action. Fences are relief engraved with more well cut scroll. Small bow single beaded trigger guard with matching scroll, has well done gold inlaid oval vignette of a woodcock flying through alders. SN is at grip. Ken Hunt's signature is on right side of trigger plate. Well marbled and nicely fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over checkered wood butt, and features classic drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a gold oval on toe line engraved with monogram "FAS" (?). Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Iron is stamped with actioners initials "TB". Bore diameter: left -.662, right -.661. Bore restrictions: left -.021 (mod), right -.005 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 5 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Makers oak and leather case with brass corners and central round brass medallion is embossed "Floyd S. Adams" on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, along with charge card and info for this particular gun. Case contains 2-pc beech and brass cleaning rod with mop, brush, and jag in red morocco wallet, Purdey marked pair of snap caps and square oil bottle. Also included are ebonized handled striker key, and three turnscrews, also a plated striker case containing spare strikers. CONDITION: Excellent, nearly as new, with very little evidence of having been fired since proof, with only a few exceptionally light handling marks, mostly on buttstock, with one or two on forend. Case leather is excellent, with one or two minor scuffs and rubs. Straps and handle are fine. Interior cloth has some light compressions. Most accessories are still wrapped in their orig tissue. A fine handling small bore Purdey pleasingly embellished. 49627-1 MGM358 (50,000-70,000)