GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXCEPTIONAL KEN HUNT ENGRAVED AND RELIEF GOLD INLAID JAMES PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN WITH TWO SETS OF BARRELS AND FORENDS WITH CASE.PURDEYSXS SIDELOCK2848912 GAMODERN(1981) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. Both sets of 28" chopper lump bbls are fitted with slightly raised, matted ribs. "1" and "2" are gold inlaid at rear portions of ribs. Tops of bbls are engraved with Purdey's Audley House London address. Bbl flats are stamped with 1981 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Choke percentages are engraved on bottoms of rear lumps; with bbl set no. "1" marked "R 70%", "L 75%". Bbl set no. "2" is marked "R 40%" "L 55%". Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and bbl makers initials "AH" (Alf Harvey). Importers name and address are marked on bottom ribs, where covered by forends (Ron Coleman). Bottoms of ribs are also gold inlaid "12 - GA 2-3/4 MAG". Case hardened Beesley patent 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 non-selective sgl trigger. Action and lockplates are tastefully engraved with 40 - 50% coverage well cut, large, shaded acanthus, as counterpoint to exceptional relief gold inlaid, finely detailed, renditions of ducks modeled on Texas waterfowl stamps from 1981 and 1982, with pair pintails behind stalks of wild rice (?) on left (modeled after the 1982 stamp), and swimming mallards behind cattails on right (1981). Fences are exquisitely relief gold inlaid with rose blossoms and foliage. "J. Purdey & Sons" and "London" are gold inlaid on each side of action. Bottom of action portrays finely limned portrait of spaniel retrieving ring necked pheasant. This fine work is by famed engraver, Ken Hunt, whose signature appears at the bottom of both duck scenes. Small bow single beaded trigger guard is blued and engraved en suite with action and has SN at grip. Lightly streaked and nicely stump figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt, and features classic drop points and checkering. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Gun is provided with two interchangeable forends, one classic splinter, the other a large beavertail, both with Anson releases, and with irons marked with actioners initials "PD" (Peter Delay, third generation Purdey actioner). BBL set "1": Bore diameter: left -.728, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.037 (full), right -.021 (mod). Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.033. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight with splinter forend: 7 lbs 1 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". BBL set "2": Bore diameter: left -.728, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.015 (mod), right -.009 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.031. Drop at heel: 1-15/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight with beavertail forend: 7 lbs 5 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". High quality oak and leather case with brass corners and central brown brass medallion, is lined in royal blue cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, along with 1981 and 1982 Texas waterfowl stamps, under plexiglass, each depicting duck scenes found on this gun. Case contains 2-pc black nylon and brass cleaning rod with mop and brush, along with a broken cartridge extractor and striker bottle under covered compartment. Also included are a pair of Purdey marked snap caps, and a squarish oil bottle engraved with crossed guns over "Purdey". CONDITION: Excellent, near new, showing limited field use, with only a hint of high edge wear on all metal finishes, and some light marks on buttstock and splinter forend. Beavertail forend has some scuffs and rubs on right side, with two small fingernail sized dents in checkering. Hinge pin shows nearly all of its fire blue, and ribs of cocking indicators are silvered. Bores are excellent with no visible imperfections. Mechanically crisp, with nicely timed ejectors, and smooth working trigger. Case leather is excellent with a number of light scuffs and marks. Interior cloth shows slight compressions and light soiling from contact with gun and bbls. Accessories are excellent. A truly lovely and versatile work of art. 49417-25 MGM348 (37,500-57,500)