GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
FINE CONDITION HEAVY PROOF LATE '20'S JAMES PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR PIGEON SHOTGUN WITH CASE.PURDEYSxS2341012caseMODERN; C&R(1927) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 30" Chopper lump bbls are engraved with Purdey's famous Audley House London address and Whitworth Steel information on slightly raised concave rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 1-1/4 ounces of shot, and are marked "2-3/4". Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, "CHOKE", and bbl makers initials "AW" (Arthur Wilkes). Tube nos "57718" and "57719" are on loop. Robust, case hardened Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), hidden third fastener, side clips, disc set strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved in Purdey house style with very nicely cut small shaded scroll surrounding rose bouquets. "J. Purdey & Sons" is at the bottom of each lockplate, as well as on bottom of action over "London". Blued trigger guard with open scroll on bow has SN on tang. Dramatically fiddle figured and nicely streaked European walnut straight grip buttstock with classic drop points, gold oval on bottom, and point pattern checkering at grip, measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt. Matching splinter ejector forend with Anson release is stamped "H" on iron (long time actioner Fred Hughes). Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .730. Bore restrictions: left - .043 with .001 recess (extra full), right - .020 (mod). Wall thickness: left - .028, right - .029. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: neutral. Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Brady type VC leather case with stitched leather corners, possibly provided by Purdey's, has brown canvas leather trimmed outer cover. Case is lined in burgundy cloth with gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, along with charge card with information for this gun. Case contains 2-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod with mop, brush, and jag, two horn handled turnscrews, horn handled striker key; Purdey marked accessories include a square oil bottle and two snap caps. There are also two keys. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a best London re-black with one or two minor rubs. Action retains approx 80% orig case hardening color, silvered a bit on beads, thinning slightly on fences and bottom. Lockplates retain over 95% of their orig color with just a hint of loss on left plate from thumb wear. Orig blue of top lever is silvered on top edge of thumbpiece. Forend iron retains most of its blue. Hinge pin has been replaced, and retains nearly all of its temper blue. Trigger guard retains over 80% of its orig blue, silvered in front of bow, thinned a bit at grip. Stocks retain nearly all of a very sympathetic cleaning and re-oiling with a couple of light marks, checkering competently cleaned up. Bores are excellent. Action is showroom tight. Drop is excellent. Wem ejectors are in perfect time. Case leather has a few minor scuffs and rubs, as protected by its outer cover, which is very fine, with some scuffs. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is excellent, as are labels. Accessories are very fine. This is a wonderful gun. 53177-11 mgm147 (25,000-35,000)