GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINE ANTIQUE ROUND BODIED PURDEY GAME GUN WITH EXTRA BARRELS AND TWO CASES. PURDEY SXS 16090 12 GA (1898) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. Orig pair of Whitworth steel chopper lump bbls are 28" with narrow, swamped game rib, engraved with typical Purdey Audley House address and steel information on rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, bottom of left bbl with bbl makers initials "GA" (G. Aston, head bbl maker). Second set of bbls, made by Purdey in 1975, are 25" long and have Churchill type matted rib. Purdey name and address are gold inlaid on tops, and there are thin gold lines around breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottom of left bbl is stamped with SN, and bbl makers initials "A.H" (Alf Harvey). Case hardened round bodied Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold-plated internals, bushed strikers, engraved arrowhead tumbler end cocking indicators, and gold-plated dbl triggers. Action is engraved in Purdey house style rose and scroll, which is exceptionally well cut and most likely the work of James Lucas, chief engraver. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate, and "PURDEY''S PATENT" is on bottom of action. Blued top lever and trigger guard are also scroll engraved. SN is at grip. Very fine, dramatically flame figured, and nicely marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over checkered wood butt, and features typical drop points, and point pattern checkering at grip. A very fine semi-relief engraved vignette of a pair of flying woodcock is on gold oval on toe line. This fine scene is over "WITHAM" on riband. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release, and actioners initial "H" (most likely Fred Hughes) on iron. Original BBLS: Bore diameter: left - .729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.022 (Mod), right -.002 (skeet). Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.028. Drop at heel: 2-11/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 6 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Newer BBLS: Bore diameter: left - .727, right -.726. Bore restrictions: left -.012 (lt mod), right -.005 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.035, right -.037. Drop at heel: 2-7/8", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Weight: 6 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/4. Old oak and leather case with brass corners and circular central medallion is embossed "H. B. L." on lid. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth, and has small James Purdey paper label in lid. Case contains a number of old and new accessories, including new set of ebony handled Purdey marked turnscrews and striker key, oil bottle, and a horn handled chamber brush. Older accessories include six Purdey marked snap caps, 3-pc ebonized walnut and brass cleaning rod with turks head and brush, Purdey marked roll crimped turnover tool and wad rammer, and a bone striker bottle numbered "17113" with spare strikers. Also in the case is an 1892 edition of directions for Purdey guns, and a Purdey game register with gold embossed blue cover. Also included is an orig Purdey VC case with stitched leather corners embossed "J. G. McCANN Jr." on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth and has gold embossed Purdey label and charge card for ''70''s vintage Purdey gun in lid. Case contains 2-pc rosewood and german silver cleaning rod with mop, brush and jag in red morocco wallet, brass Purdey marked oil bottle, and a pair of brass and horn snap caps. Also included is an H&H bench cloth. PROVENANCE: Invoice from Paul Hodgins for work performed. Purdey factory letter with all specifications, and indicating new bbls made in 1976. Consignors notes. Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert H. Hyatt. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refurbished. Old bbls retain essentially all of a London quality re-black, engraving picked up. Newer bbls retain approx 98% of their orig black with a number of light marks. Action and lockplates retain a considerable amount of their orig faded case color, perhaps as much as 20%. Top lever and trigger guard retain most of an old re-blue, engraving slightly softened. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish with a number of light marks and some deeper bumps, checkering cleaned up. New checkering is on butt. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Old bbls are very slightly off face. Ejectors are in time. Case leather has considerably darkened, and has many deep rubs and water damage. New straps and handle are fine. Renewed interior cloth is excellent. Label has area of damage at bottom, and is foxed. Interior partitions are fine with replaced blocking. New accessories are excellent, older accessories fine. Newer case leather is excellent. Interior cloth shows some mold. Charge card has previous gun information erased, and is inked over with particulars of this gun. Accessories are excellent. An attractive old Purdey. 49896-22 MGM53 (12,500-22,500)