GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
SCARCE 20 GAUGE JAMES PURDEY ROUND ACTION SIDELOCK EJECTOR LIGHTWEIGHT GAME SHOTGUN WITH OAK AND LEATHER CASE AND ACCESSORIES. PURDEY SXS 22397 20 MODERN; C&R (1922) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 28" Chopper lump bbls are engraved with Purdey Audley House address and Whitworth steel information on slightly raised game rib. Gun is "2" of a pair, with "2" engraved on breech ends of rib, top lever, and forend iron. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers and re-proof marks (?). Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, and bbl makers initials "S.S" (Sam Simons). Tube numbers "53758" and "53759" are on loop. Small sized Beesley patent self opening action with rounded bar, features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), disc set strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Action and locks are engraved in Purdey house style with well cut small scroll surrounding rose bouquets. "J. Purdey & Sons" is at the bottom of each lockplate, and on bottom of action over "London". Top lever and trigger guard are blued. Trigger guard bow is engraved with large open scroll. SN is on tang. Very nicely flame figured and well marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15" over checkered wood butt on 1-7/8" well matched lengthening piece, which appears to be fit to orig curve. (13-1/4" to end of orig wood) Stock features typical finishing with drop points, point pattern checkering and a silver oval on toe line engraved "CHM". Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Actioners initials "FH" (Fred Hughes) are on iron. Bore diameter: left -.620, right - .618. Bore restrictions: left - .010 (IC), right - .004 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .026, right - .029. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: approx 1/4 off. Weight: 5 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 15". Makers oak and leather case with brass corners and central medallion, has later inset leather rectangle on top embossed "CHM" and interior is lined in burgundy cloth with small paper Purdey label and charge card for gun no. "20003" (another 20 bore), in lid. Case contains 2-pc walnut and brass cleaning rod with 6" handle, two turnscrews and a striker key with ebonized handle, unmarked round oil bottle, pair of snap caps, pull through cleaning kit in black wallet, action cleaning brushes in red wallet, bone striker bottle with spare strikers and springs, and other cleaning equipment and two keys in covered compartment. CONDITION: Good. This gun has been enjoyed extensively but never hurt. Bbls retain most of what appears to be their orig blue, considerably worn and silvered from normal hand wear. Action and locks are pewter gray with silver highlights on edges of bar and fences. Engraving remains clear. Orig blue of top lever and trigger guard remains approx 20%. Stocks show considerable wear, sharp edges rounded, left drop point quite smooth. Checkering does not appear to have been re-cut. There are 1" cracks starting at mounting screws in forend. Bores are very fine, chambers lengthened. Action has a hint of looseness. Bbls are slightly off face. Ejectors are slightly out of time. Case leather is considerably darkened, crazed and rubbed. Orig straps are good. Handle is missing. Interior cloth is fine. Labels are considerably foxed. Partitions have been reconfigured for stock lengthening piece. Accessories are fine. 53132-2 mgm27 (15,000-20,000) W/CASE, 13 ACCESS, CL ROD, KEY