GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINELY RESTORED PURDEY ISLAND LOCK HAMMER GAME GUN WITH CASE. PURDEY SXS HAMMER 9692 12 GA (ca 1877) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 30" Damascus bbls are engraved "J. Purdey, 314-1/2. Oxford Street, London." on narrow, slightly swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London 2010 nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers, and "LINED" (bbls are fitted with Teague full length liners). Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN. Round bodied top lever action is fitted with island back action back locks with rebounding round bodied serpentine hammers. Action and lockplates are engraved with 80% coverage well cut small scroll. "Purdey" is on the tail of each lockplate. "Patent" is on top lever. Bottom of action is engraved "Purdey''s Patent". Blued trigger guard is engraved with larger scroll, and with SN at grip. Exceptionally well marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over skeleton steel buttplate, steel portion is nearly fully scroll engraved, exposed wood has flat top checkering. Classic point pattern checkering is at grip. A vacant silver oval is on toe line. Matching splinter forend has early type Anson release with large button. Actioners initial "C" is on iron (a very early occurrence of actioners initials being used, and is probably Mr. Crisp). Bore diameter: left - .714, right -.714. Bore restrictions: left -.020 (Mod), right -.010 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.040, right -.039. Drop at heel: 2-3/4", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Most likely orig makers oak and leather case with brass corners and circular medallion, is lined in scarlet cloth, and has paper Purdey 314 Oxford Street label printed in blue ink, in lid, along with charge card for this particular gun. Case contains a large array of old, possibly orig, accessories including a pair of horn handled turnscrews by Hawksley, horn handled chamber brush marked "Woodward", ebony handled striker key with pricker, bone striker bottle with six spare strikers, small round pewter oil bottle by Hawksley, set of powder and shot dippers of German silver with ebony handles by Dixon, ebony cleaning plug for muzzles, pull through field cleaning kit in black leather wallet, 2-pc oak and brass cleaning rod with short handle with associated turks head, mop, and lead remover. Covered compartment contains Purdey marked roll crimping tool, and wad rammer with rosewood handles. PROVENANCE: Factory letter with orig specifications stating gun was completed in 1877 for Mr. A. W. Blakemore. Information on A. W. Blakemore from the state of Arkansas. Consignors correspondence with workmen performing restoration. Consignors notes. Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert Hyatt. CONDITION: Fine as refurbished. Bbls retain over 90% re-brown with fair definition to pattern over a number of light pits and marks. Action and locks are pewter to gray patina, with some striations visible on action bar. High quality, newly made, stocks are excellent, retaining nearly all of their fine hand rubbed finish, with a few light marks and dents. Checkering shows little wear. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Case leather is very dark with some tears on front edge, considerably oxidized and chipped. Interior cloth has been renewed, and is excellent. Purdey label is considerably foxed, with some losses, open cracks, and soiling. Charge card is lightly foxed, and lightly soiled. Accessories are fine. A fine old Purdey hammer gun, given a new lease on life, with approx $10,000.00 worth of restoration work. 49896-8 MGM56 (5,000-7,000)