GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
NICELY REFURBISHED JAMES PURDEY BAR-IN-WOOD TOP LEVER HAMMER LIGHT GAME SHOTGUN WITH CASE.J. PURDEYSXS #1 HAMMER1033212W/O&L CASE(1878) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 30" Sleeved bbls retain orig narrow game rib engraved with Purdey's name and South Audley Street address and Whitworth steel information. Gun is no. "1" of a pair, with "1" engraved on rear portion of rib, water table, and on forend iron. Bbl flats are stamped with orig black powder London proofs, and 1983 London re-proofs for 2-3/4" chambers along with "SLEEVED". Classic bar-in-wood action has top lever opening, and is fitted with rebounding bar locks having round bodied serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin's heads. Action is engraved with near full coverage Purdey house style small scroll with rose bouquet highlights, as originated by and in this case most likely executed by long time Purdey engraver, J. Lucas. "J. Purdey & Sons" is at the bottom of each lockplate. Top lever is engraved "PATENT". Blued trigger guard with scroll on bow, has SN on tang. Strikingly marbled and fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-7/8" over black leather covered pad over 1/2" composition spacer with widow's peak. (Factory records indicate the stock was shortened to 13-15/16" from their orig length of 14-3/16". No date recorded.) Stock features small drop points, usual point pattern checkering, and a vacant silver oval on toe line. Matching splinter forend has Anson release, and iron is stamped with very early incidence of actioners initials "AM" (most likely A. Mayo, Sr). Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .729. Bore restrictions: left - .010 (IC to Lt mod), right - .005 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .032, right - .032. Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast is neutral. Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz. (matching orig specifications) LOP: 14-7/8". Old oak and leather case with brass corners and central medallion is lined in burgundy cloth, and has reproduction Purdey label and charge card in lid. Case contains a pair of snap caps and straps, along with a key. PROVENANCE: Factory letter. CONDITION: Good, as partially refurbished. Bbls retain nearly all of a London quality re-black, most likely done at time of sleeving. Action and locks retain a considerable amount, perhaps as much as 30%, of their orig case hardening color, mostly where protected. Top lever, trigger plate, trigger guard, and forend iron re-blued, and retain nearly all of that blue. Stocks retain nearly all of a well done oil finish, checkering re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are excellent. There is a 1/2" stress crack behind left lockplate, and forend wood shows some shrinkage away from iron, but the wood around action bar where problems often occur, is sound, with no discernible cracks. Case leather considerably darkened, stained, bumped, and rubbed. Interior cloth and labels renewed, and are excellent. A handsome old Purdey given a new lease on life, which would undoubtedly make a good shooter. 52007-3 MGM46 (6,000-8,000)