GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
SUPERB CONDITION JAMES PURDEY EXTRA FINISH SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUN WITH SELECTIVE SINGLE TRIGGER AND BEAVERTAIL FOREND, WITH MOTOR CASE AND ACCESSORIES.JAMES PURDEY & SONSBEST SxS2784612GAW/CASE, CL RODMODERN(1973) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 28" Chopper lump bbls with matted narrow flat rib are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons" "Audley House South Audley Street, London. England" on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, and bbl makers initials "BF" (Brian Frost) on bottom of left bbl. Tube numbers "72243" and "72244" are on loop. Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and unusual single selective trigger (It is not known what trigger was used by Purdey's at this time, but it appears to be of Laird Pat. Westley Richards type with selector on left side of trigger plate.). Action is engraved in traditional extra finish style with near full coverage large shaded acanthus scroll with strapwork highlights. "J. Purdey & Sons" is in parchment scroll flanked device on each lockplate, as well as on bottom of action over "London" and "England". Fences are relief carved in oak leaf and acorn motif. Engraving of this style was often done by outworker, at the time, Ken Hunt. No signature is found. Small bow trigger guard has matching scroll on bow. SN is on tang, which extends to horn pistol grip cap. Strikingly fiddle figured and marbled dark European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over checkered wood butt, and features standard drop points and point pattern grip checkering. Gold oval on toe line is engraved "RG". Often woodwork on guns of this vintage is of indifferent quality, but this stock was obviously done by one of the long term Purdey masters, such as Bill O'Brien or Harold Delay. Full beavertail ejector forend has Anson release; unknown actioners initials "T.B" are on iron. Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .731. Bore restrictions: left - .025 (Imod), right - .009 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .033, right - .029. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: approx 1/8 off. Weight: 7 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Brown leather motor case with stitched leather corners is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, along with charge card for this particular gun. Case contains 2-pc beech and brass cleaning rod, pull through cleaning kit, red leather wallet containing cleaning brushes and broken case extractor, another with action cleaning brushes, plated round oil bottle, plated brass striker bottle with spare strikers, and two keys. CONDITION: Excellent, very close to new, with only some high edge wear visible on sharp edges, and a few light marks in wood. There are a number of fairly deep scratches in bottom central portion of bbls, most likely caused by removing action from case before removing bbls. These could easily be toned down a bit. There are also two or three small dings on left side of forend toward front. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Mechanically excellent. Case leather is excellent with a few scuffs. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is fine with some rubs. Accessories are excellent. A great handling Purdey with some unusual features. 53022-1 mgm16 (17,500-25,000)