GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
VERY FINE JAMES PURDEY ROUND BODIED OVER-UNDER SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME SHOTGUN WITH EXTRA BARRELS, STOCK, AND CASE. PURDEY BEST O/U 27717 12 GA MODERN (ca 1970) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. Two sets of 30" demi-block bbls are fitted with matted ventilated ribs. Bbls are differentiated by pattern percentages engraved on bbl flats. Both bbl sets have Purdey name and Audley House address on left sides of top bbls. London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" and 3-1/4 tons are on bottom flats. One bbl is marked for chokes of "BOTTOM 75% TOP 80%". The other is engraved BOTTOM 65% TOP 75%". Both bbl sets are stamped with bbl makers initials "E.C" (Ted Comben). Round bodied, case hardened, OU sidelock action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and non-selective single trigger. Action and locks are engraved with well cut Purdey House style rose and scroll with "James Purdey & Sons" on each lockplate, as well as on bottom of action at the top of forend iron mortise with "London" below. Scroll engraved small bow trigger guard has SN on tang which extends to horn grip cap. Very fine flame figured and well marbled English walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over checkered wood butt, and features drop points and grip checkering. This fine replacement stock was masterfully executed by Greg Wolfe with "the finest English walnut blank he has ever used". A silver oval on toe line is engraved with script initials "H L M". Matching forend with Anson release is stamped with actioner's initials, "P. N" (Peter Nelson). Open choked bbls: Bore diameter: top -.735, bottom - .738. Bore restrictions: top - .013 (mod), bottom - .006 (IC). Wall thickness: top - .030, bottom - .029. Drop at heel: 1-3/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 8 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Heavy choked bbls: Bore diameter: top -.734, bottom - .734. Bore restrictions: top - .017 (mod), bottom - .013 (Lt mod). Wall thickness: top - .030, bottom - .030. Drop at heel: 1-11/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 8 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Orig makers leather VC case with stitched leather corners and central brass oval engraved "H L M" has canvas outer cover. Interior has space for extra bbls and is lined in burgundy cloth with gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, along with charge card for this particular gun with information for both sets of bbls. Accessories include pair of snap caps, pull through cleaning kit, ebony striker block, and spare screws for locks. Also included is what appears to be orig buttstock with LOP of approx 14" over leather covered pad. CONDITION: Excellent. Both bbl sets retain approx 90% of their orig blue. Action retains about 50% orig case hardening color, considerably silvered from hand wear on bottom. Lockplates retain 90% of their color. Buttstock retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig finish, with some very light marks, with a fairly deep scratch along toe line. Checkering is lightly worn. What is most likely orig forend retains nearly all of a refinish matching butt. 65/ 75 % bbl set is very slightly loose and a tad off face. 75/80 % set is tight, but also slightly off face with light visible at top bbl. Bores are excellent. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger works. Case leather is excellent, but with a few marks and scuffs, especially on corners. Outer cover is excellent, rubbed. Interior cloth has some compressions, rubs, and soiling, with one area rubbed through from contact with action. Labels are fine. Charge card is somewhat soiled. Extra buttstock retains most of an old refinish. 51204-1 MGM82 (35,000-55,000)