GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINELY REFURBISHED 20 GAUGE HEAVY PROOF PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES. PURDEY SXS 21171 20 GA MODERN (1914) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 29" Whitworth steel chopper lump bbls, are engraved with Purdey name and Audley House London address, and with steel information on narrow, concave game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for long chamber (LC) and 15/16 oz of shot. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and choke, along with bbl makers initial "W" (Either Joe Watts or Arthur Wilkes). Tube nos 49109 and 49110 are on loop. Small sized 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 dbl triggers (front articulated). Action is engraved in Purdey house style rose and scroll. "J. Purdey & Sons" and "London" are on bottom of action, and "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate. Blued top lever and trigger guard are also scroll engraved. Trigger guard has unusual long swept tang into "Prince of Wales" grip, which extends to small ebony grip cap. SN is on tang. Exceptional well figured and marbled European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over checkered wood butt, and features classic point pattern checkering, drop points, and a vacant silver oval on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release, and iron is stamped with actioners initials "J.T" (Joe Thompson). Bore diameter: left - .615, right -.615. Bore restrictions: left -.032 (full), right -.013 (Mod). Wall thickness: left -.036, right -.034. Drop at heel: 2-5/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 6 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". Orig makers oak and leather case with brass corners and circular central medallion is lined in scarlet cloth. Small Purdey paper label and charge card for this gun, are affixed to lid. Case contains an assortment of old and new accessories including Boss marked horn handled chamber brush, unmarked round pewter oil bottle, along with another round oil bottle, some brass and ebony loading equipment, and bone striker bottle marked for this gun with spare strikers and lock screws. New accessories include a Purdey marked pull-through field cleaning kit, brass and composition snap caps, striker key, horn handled turnscrews, and another pair of Purdey marked snap caps. Cleaning equipment includes a 2-pc walnut and brass cleaning rod with short handle with brush, mop, and turks head. Also included is another interesting accessory, a small EC Powder Company game record booklet, stamped with Purdey name and address on fly leaf. PROVENANCE: 1911 edition INSTRUCTIONS FOR PURDEY GUNS inscribed with info for this gun. Factory email confirming specifications of this gun, and stating that it was restocked in 1940; Purdey factory letter stating same. Various invoices and letters from noted, but now deceased, gunsmith Alfred Gallifent, and ex-Purdey stocker Paul Hodgins, listing work performed, including restocking, new action guard and cap pins, re-blacking bbls, new cross pin, and re-joint, fitting new drop, etc. Consignors notes. Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert Hyatt. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refurbished. Bbls retain essentially all of a London quality rust blue, engraving picked up. Action and lockplates retain traces of orig case hardening color, engraving on fences picked up. Engraving has been cleaned up on trigger guard, which retains nearly all of its new charcoal blue. Exceptionally fine newly made (2005) stocks by Paul Hodgins, retain essentially all of their hand rubbed oil finish, with a few scattered light marks, checkering slightly darkened. Bores are excellent, slightly frosted. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Drop is excellent. Case leather is fine, with some darkening and marks. Newer straps and handle are fine. Orig interior cloth is very good with some compressions and soiling. Both labels are heavily foxed and oil soaked. Old accessories are fine, newer accessories are excellent. A fine small bore Purdey reconditioned by some of the best in the business. 49896-6 MGM45 (20,000-30,000)