GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
SUPERB LONG BARRELED SMALL BORE CUSTOM PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUN WITH EXCELLENT SCROLL AND GOLD INLAID GAME SCENES BY RENE DELCOUR AND PHILIPPE GRIFNEE WITH CASE.PURDEYSXS2149820caseMODERN; C&R(ca 1917) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 29" Chopper lump bbls are gold inlaid "J. Purdey & Sons" and engraved "Audley House, South Audley Street. London" on narrow swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs and 1985 London re-proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, "CHOKE", and with bbl makers initials "W.H" (Bill Hill) on bottom of left bbl. Small sized case hardened Beesley patent self-opening action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), disc set strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage very well cut large shaded open acanthus scroll with strapwork highlights in semi-relief surrounding well done portrait of retriever on bottom of action. "J. Purdey & Sons" and "London" are in gold on both sides. Fences have matching scroll which is carved a bit deeper. There are splashes of matching scroll on lockplates accenting very well rendered game scenes, major subjects are in relief gold, and backgrounds are nicely detailed; a pair of ducks are settling into a woodland marsh on left lockplate, and a pair of cock pheasant explode from brush into open field over rail fence on right. This fine engraving is signed "R. Delcour & Ph Grifnee" on trigger plate. Trigger guard is also scroll engraved, and has SN in gold on tang. Striking, exhibition quality, well marbled and stump figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over checkered wood butt, and features classic styling with typical drop points, point pattern checkering, and gold oval. Matching splinter ejector forend with Anson release has actioners initials "AF" (Alf Fullalove) on iron. Bore diameter: left -.629, right - .628. Bore restrictions: left - .034 (full), right - .022 (mod). Wall thickness: left - .024, right - .023. Drop at heel: 2-1/8"+, drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: approx 1/4 off. Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". High quality oak and leather case with shaped brass corners is embossed "K. H. E." on top. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth. Gold embossed black leather label along with charge card with information for this gun, are in lid. Case contains 2 pc rosewood and brass cleaning rod, 2 horn handled turnscrews engraved "James Purdey & Sons", horn handled striker key, horn handled chamber brush, bone striker bottle. Purdey marked accessories include square oil bottle, horn bodied snap caps, and black leather hand guard, along with a bench cloth. CONDITION: Excellent, with evidence of very limited use since being completely refurbished, with a few very light marks on bbls. Beads and fences of action are silvered a bit, as is blue on grip. Factory quality newly made stocks are excellent with only a few light marks and scratches, mostly on left side of butt. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are a bit off face at tops, but do contact breechfaces at bottom. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is excellent with a few marks and two shallow cuts on top. Straps and handle are excellent, as are interior and accessories. An attractive small bore Purdey finely embellished by two highly revered artists, now deceased. 53177-8 mgm148 (30,000-50,000)