GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
RARE JAMES PURDEY SINGLE BARREL TRAP GUN WITH EXCEPTIONAL GOLD INLAY AND ENGRAVING BY KEN HUNT WITH CASE.PURDEYSBT2722912 GAMODERN(1964) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chamber. 32" Demi-bloc bbl is fitted with broad, raised, matted, ventilated rib. Purdey's name and well known Audley House address are on the left side of bbl. Bbl flat is stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottom of bbl is stamped with SN and bbl makers initials "A.H" (Alf Harvey). Tube number "67909" is on loop. Case hardened action has finely sculpted fence, and dummy right hand sideplate. It is not equipped with a safety, but does feature bushed striker, and raised rib tumbler end cocking indicator. Action and lockplates are engraved with exceptionally well cut and shaded small attenuated acanthus scroll. This truly fine work is counterpoint to more deeply carved fence with large relief acanthus, as well as exceptional gold inlaid game scenes on each lockplate. Right plate depicts a semi-relief gold pair of feeding cock pheasant in nicely detailed meadowland. Left plate has a pair of semi-relief gold mallards flaring over a marsh. Ken Hunt's signature is at bottom of duck scene. Bottom of action is engraved "J. Purdey & Sons" "London" "England". Blued trigger guard with matching fine acanthus scroll has SN on tang, which extends to composition grip cap. Nicely streaked and lightly figured dense European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over black Decelerator pad. Classic drop points and point pattern checkering are at grip, and a silver oval engraved with initials "H L M" is on toe line. Matching beavertail ejector forend has Anson release. No actioner's initials are noted on iron. Bore diameter: .732. Bore restrictions: .021 (Imod). Wall thickness: .055. Drop at heel: 1-1/4", drop at comb: 1-5/16". Cast is neutral. Weight: 7 lbs. 15 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Orig makers leather motor case with green canvas outer cover, is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label as well as instruction label and charge card for this gun, in lid. Case contains Purdey marked square oil bottle, snap cap, and red morocco wallet containing cleaning brushes. Other accessories include 2-pc walnut and brass cleaning rod, broken case extractor, pull through cleaning kit, action cleaning brushes, and an old James Purdey marked open sided brown recoil pad. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains over 95% blue, thinned at muzzle and at breech end. Case hardening of action silvered on beads and sharp edges. Lockplates retain nearly all of their color which is thinned a bit on right plate. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish with a few light marks. Bore is excellent. Action is tight. Bbl is on face. Ejector is strong. Drop is good. Case leather is excellent as protected by its outer cover, which is also excellent, with a few scuffs. Interior cloth is excellent. Labels have some dents and slight soiling of charge card. Accessories are excellent. Purdey's has produced a total of 59 single bbl trap guns; very few of these are engraved by acknowledged world class master, Ken Hunt. 51204-2 MGM90 (17,500-25,000)