GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
ELEGANT AND DYNAMIC KEN HUNT ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID JAMES PURDEY "QUAIL GUN" WITH CASE.JAMES PURDEYSIDE BY SIDE SIDELOCK2892612 GAMODERNCal. 12 ga. Finely struck 27" chopper lump bbls with slightly raised, flat, matted game rib are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons" and "Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with 1986 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, and bottom of left bbl is stamped with barrel makers initials "E.C" (Ted Combin). Tube nos. 75419 and 75420 are on loop. Case hardened, Beesley patent, self-opening, sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, bushed strikers, and double triggers (front articulated). Action is engraved with exceptionally well cut and shaded miniscule scroll with rose bouquet highlights in typical Purdey house style. "J. Purdey & Sons" is gold inlaid in Old English script at the front of each lockplate. Bottom of action is engraved with exceptional gold inlaid portrait of on-coming quail with finely detailed engraved background, along with "Quail" "Gun" in gold. This truly fine engraving is by the renowned Ken Hunt, formerly exclusively a Purdey engraver, working freelance since the late ''50''s. His signature appears on trigger plate along with date ''87. Single beaded trigger guard is also scroll engraved and has SN on tang, which extends to composition cap with large inset gold oval. Exceptional dark marbled, stump figured, red-toned, European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 15" over black leather covered pad. Typical drop points are behind locks. Standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip. "LARRY" in individually inlet gold letters, is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Iron is stamped with actioners initials "PB" (Phil Butcher). Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.020 (mod), right -.016 (Lt mod). Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.033. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 7 lbs 2 oz. LOP: 15". Makers brown leather motor case with stitched leather corners is lined in scarlet cloth, and has small paper Purdey "Graham Rust" label in lid, along with charge card for this particular gun. Case contains 2-pc cleaning rod, still in its orig wrapper, along with other implements including broken case extractor, spare striker bottle with spare strikers, oil bottle, and pair of snap caps, all still in their wrappings. Also included is Purdey instruction and maintenance booklet. PROVENANCE: Email to owner from James Purdey outlining specifications of this gun, including Ken Hunt''s engraving, "Spring bladed" front trigger, and gold letters LARRY. 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". CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, showing evidence of light field use. Bbl blue is slightly thinning at breech ends, and silvered at muzzles, with scratches on bottoms. Case hardening of action is thinning and silvering on beads and fences, but is mostly vibrant. Top lever is slightly silvered at thumbpiece. Trigger guard is silvered on bead. Stocks are very dry, but retain nearly all their orig Slackum finish, with some very light marks and spotting. Leather on pad shows some rubs. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Drop shows little wear. Ejectors are in time. Case leather shows some light scuffs. Interior cloth is excellent, a bit musty. Labels are excellent. Accessories still unwrapped. A lovely late Purdey gun engraved by one of the all time masters. 49467-2 MGM203 (30,000-50,000)