GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
VERY FINE 20 GAUGE JAMES PURDEY SELF OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUN OWNED BY JOHN HAY WHITNEY WITH CASE AND BIOGRAPHICAL BOOK.PURDEYBEST QUALITY2599520GAMODERN(ca 1947) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 26" Chopper lump bbls are engraved with Purdey's famous name and Audley House address on narrow swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, "CHOKE", and bbl makers initials "J.A" (J Aldous). Tube numbers "64545" and "64546" are on loop. Case hardened, small sized Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action features automatic safety, bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with very well cut Purdey House style rose bouquets and small scroll. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate, as well as bottom of action over "London" and "ENGLAND". Scroll engraved trigger guard has SN on tang. Lightly fiddle figured European walnut straight grip stock measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt, and features standard drop points, grip checkering, and a silver oval on toe line engraved with initials "R N C". Matching splinter ejector forend with Anson release has actioner's initial "H" (long time Purdey actioner Fred Hughes) on iron. Bore diameter: left -.616, right - .615. Bore restrictions: left - .011 (mod), right - .005 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .032, right - .032. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 5 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Leather Abercrombie & Fitch motor case marked "THE PURDEY LIGHTWEIGHT" under key lock is embossed "J. H. W." on top. Case interior is of purple cloth, with no label, and contains some cleaning equipment and the key. Also included is the book: JOCK, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN HAY WHITNEY by E. J. Kahn, Jr. Doubleday, 1981. PROVENANCE: Factory records indicate this gun was made for John Hay Whitney. He was born into a privileged family. With the death of his father in 1927, "Jock inherited a considerable sum", the estate was worth 179 million dollars. He became well known throughout the elite of American society, and appeared on the cover of Time, played polo, raised horses, and wed well. He was also a Hollywood producer who co-produced "Gone With The Wind" and helped to develop "Technicolor", trustee of Museum of Modern Art, prisoner of War during WWII, companion of Dwight Eisenhower, and later ambassador to the Court of St. James. Also included is a book about John Hay Whitney. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain over 95% of what appears to be their orig blue, with a few very light marks. Action retains 70 - 80% orig case hardening color, thinned and silvered on fences and beads. Lockplates retain nearly all of their color. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig rubbed oil finish with numerous light marks and scratches, possibly with some oil rubbed in, checkering lightly worn and a bit dirty. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is still light in color with a few minor marks and scuffs. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is good with some insect damage. A very fine lightweight Purdey, made by some of Purdey's best pre-war craftsmen. 51607-1 MGM83 (35,000-45,000)