GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
ANACHRONISTIC JAMES PURDEY PERCUSSION DOUBLE GUN MADE FOR THE ECCENTRIC CHARLES GORDON WITH CASE AND USUAL COMPLEMENT OF FINE ACCESSORIES. PURDEY SXS PERC 14987 12 GA IVORY (1894) Cal. 12 ga. This fine quality unusual gun, made 35 years after percussion guns went out of favor, was made for the now famous British eccentric, Charles Gordon, by James Purdey & Sons in 1894. Although most of Gordon''s guns were made by John Dickson & Sons of Edinburgh, and a few were made by Rigby''s, 15 were made by Purdey''s (8 being muzzle loaders, 2 were pinfires). This gun in its case is pictured on p. 113 of JAMES PURDEY & SONS; GUN AND RIFLE MAKERS 200 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE, and in CHARLES GORDON; MAGNIFICENT MADNESS on page 92. Both books are by Donald Dallas. This is one of the first guns Gordon bought from Purdey, and has 32" Whitworth steel bbls engraved with Purdey''s Audley House address and steel information on slightly raised game rib. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs and with SNs. Bbl makers initials "AM" (A. Meers) are on bottom of left bbl. Bbls are fitted with two plain pipes holding fine ebony ramrod with brass tulip head and tail with steel worm under cap. Case hardened patent breeches are fitted with engraved platinum blow-outs. Breech iron has near full coverage of large, open, shaded scroll and integral fences. Back action peninsula locks are fitted with tall round bodied serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads and tall spurs. Trigger plate extends forward to round reinforcing finial as found on percussion double rifles. Scroll engraved trigger guard is engraved with SN at grip. Exceptionally fine, nicely marbled and attractively flame figured European walnut straight grip stock measures 14-1/2" over steel buttplate with long top spur engraved with large, open scroll. Broadly spaced flat top checkering is at grip, and a vacant silver oval is on toe line. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Bore diameter: left - .726, right -.727. Bore restrictions: left -.000 , right -.000. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 7 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". This gun is cased in typical manner of other guns made for Charles Gordon, in large quartered oak case with inlet ogee shaped brass corners and circular central medallion, and has pivoting hook latches. Interior is lined in dark green cloth, and has very small gold embossed Purdey Audley House label in lid. Case contains Mr. Gordon''s usual assortment of high quality accessories french fitted. The casing for this particular gun is unusual in that it contains 2 shot flasks, as well as two powder flasks. A small recess in case contains an exceptionally fine bone whistle carved in the shape of a dog''s head.
Leather shot flasks by Hawksley have case hardened spouts, and small D-ring hangers at bottoms (The carrying sling for these flasks is also in case). Powder flasks, also by Hawksley, are covered in tan leather, and are graduated from 3 to 4 drams. Also included are horn handled nipple wrench with pricker, pair of horn handled Hawksley marked turnscrews, ebony handled jags for cleaning around nipples and hammer noses, case hardened mainspring vice marked "J. Brazier", round Hawksley marked oil bottle, "certifiable antique elephant ivory" striker bottle containing spare nipples, wad punch with dimpled cutting edge (this was a Purdey patented invention dating to approx 1830), central oak lift out box with sliding lid contains felt wads and an unopened box of Eley percussion caps marked "Successors to F. Joyce & Co". A covered compartment holds an old small brass powder measure as well as mop, jag, and turks head. 2-pc Walnut and brass cleaning rod is in leather case in long compartment. Another open compartment holds brush and mop, and an old German silver "Sykes" capper. A spare ramrod is under bbl channel. PROVENANCE: Letter from Edward Howes, ca 1940, a secretary at Purdey''s, describing this gun. Purdey letter with specifications for this gun. Consignors notes. Book: CHARLES GORDON; MAGNIFICENT MADNESS is included. Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert Hyatt. CONDITION: Excellent, original, appears unfired, retaining essentially all of its fine factory finishes on wood and metal, with only a few scattered marks, and a hint of silvering on sharp edges. Bores are excellent, locks are crisp. Exterior finish of case has a number of light scrapes, scratches and rubs, but is mostly intact. Interior cloth is very fine with a number of light compressions and rubs. Accessories are very fine to excellent. 49896-29 MGM100 (15,000-25,000)