GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
ANTIQUE PAIR OF JAMES PURDEY & SONS SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUNS WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES AND FACTORY LETTER, ONE WITH NEW FACTORY BARRELS.J. PURDEYBEST SIDELOCK PAIR15667/1566812GA(1896) Cal. 12 ga. 30" Chopper lump bbls are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons Audley House South Audley Street London" on narrow game ribs. Bbls of "1" also have Whitworth steel information. "1" and "2" are engraved on breech ends of ribs, top levers, and inside of forend irons denoting a true pair. Bbl flats of "1" are stamped with London proofs, and 1973 London re-proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and bbl makers initials "WH" (Bill Hill). Tube numbers "18060" and "18061" are on loop. Bbls of gun "2" are stamped with 1974 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers, again with SNs, and bbl makers initials "JA" (J. Aldous). Tube numbers "73061" and "73062" are on loop. Case hardened Beasley patent self opening sidelock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, engraved arrow tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Actions and locks are engraved in Purdey house style with exceptionally well cut small scroll surrounding rose bouquets as undoubtedly performed by head engraver, James Lucas. Trigger guards with open scroll on bows have SNs on tangs. Fairly well matched well streaked and nicely fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 15-3/8" over checkered wood butts on 1-1/4" well matched extensions. LOP on orig wood is 14-3/16". (Factory records indicate orig length of 14-1/2" most likely over buttplates.) Stocks feature elongated drop points, standard point pattern checkering on semi diamond hands, and vacant silver ovals on toe lines. Matching splinter ejector forends with Anson releases are marked with actioners initials "SP" (Sol Prentice) on irons. Gun "1": Bore diameter: left -.731, right - .730. Bore restrictions: left - .017 (mod), right - .001 (cyl). Wall thickness: left - .026, right - .026. Drop at heel: 1-15/16", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Neutral cast. Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 15-3/8". Gun "2": Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .730. Bore restrictions: left - .009 (IC), right - .007 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .030, right - .031. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Neutral cast. Weight: 6 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 15-3/8". Orig oak and leather two gun case with brass corners and central medallion is engraved "Kenneth Prescott" "20 Cambridge Square" "Hyde Park" "W." Case is lined in scarlet cloth and has small paper Purdey label in lid, along with charge card for this particular pair of guns. Case contains ebony handled turnscrew, matching striker key, 12 bore broken case extractor, bone handled cleaning brush, tin of NevaRust, pull through cleaning kit, and handle of 2-pc cleaning rod. An open compartment has two trigger locks and keys. Also included are red cloth bags. PROVENANCE: Factory fax confirming orig specs and new bbls. Purdey game register with red cover and "Directions for James Purdey & Sons Hammerless Guns 1887" with brown cover with information for guns number "13881-2". CONDITION: Fine, as partially refinished. Orig bbls retain nearly all of a "best" London re-black with some light marks and scratches. New bbls (gun "2") are in similar condition, but with fewer scratches in their orig blue. Actions retain 10 - 20% orig color where protected. Lockplates retain 30 - 50% of their orig color; left plates are strongest. Most orig blue is on top levers and traces of blue are on trigger guards. Stocks retain 30 - 40% of an old oil refinish, sharp edges rounded, checkering re-cut. Butt portions are refinished in oil, with installation of lengthening pieces, and have much less shine. Bores of "1" are very good to fine, with heavy frosting. Bores of "2" are excellent. Actions are tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is dark, scuffed and rubbed, some places through. Newer straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is very good, considerably soiled from contact with guns, two areas rubbed through. Labels are foxed. Partitions have been moved to accommodate longer stocks. Accessories are good. 52752-1 MGM424 (12,500-17,500)