GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
FINE PRE WWI PURDEY HAMMERLESS EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUN WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES. PURDEY SXS 20925 12 MODERN; C&R (1913) Cal. 12 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. 28" Chopper lump bbls are engraved with Purdey's famous name and Audley House address, as well as Whitworth Steel information on narrow, swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and bottom of left bbl is stamped "CHOKE" and with bbl makers initials "HT" (unknown bbl maker, but there is a "Tombs" listed as a bbl maker in 1912). Tube numbers "47078" and "47079" are on loop. Beesley patent self opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), disc set strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Trigger guard was of special order with long transition from bow to tang. Action and locks are engraved in typical Purdey house style rose and scroll. "J. Purdey & Sons" is at the bottom of each lockplate, as well as on bottom of action over "London". Top lever and trigger guard are blued. Guard has large open scroll on bow, and SN on grip. Attractive well marbled and nicely figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over checkered wood butt. Stock features standard drop points and point pattern checkering. A silver oval on toe line is engraved "CHM" matching initials on case. Matching splinter forend has Anson release. Unknown actioners initials "T.A" are on iron. (Many younger Purdey artisans were lost during the "Great War".) Bore diameter: left -.734, right - .733. Bore restrictions: left - .027 (IMod), right - .004 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .029, right - .029. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast: neutral. Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Gun is housed in its orig oak and leather case with brass corners and central medallion. Top is embossed "C.H.M." matching oval on stock. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth, and has paper Purdey label in lid along with charge card for this particular gun. Case contains a host of orig accessories including 2-pc walnut and brass cleaning rod with 6" handle, pair of turnscrews, and striker key with ebonized handle, unmarked round oil bottle, broken case extractor, pair of Purdey marked snap caps, pull through cleaning kit in black morocco leather wallet, chamber and cleaning brushes in red morocco wallet, bone striker bottle with spare strikers, Purdey instruction booklet, and various cleaning equipment and two keys in covered compartment. CONDITION: Good to fine, with some refinishing. Bbls retain over 90% well done re-black over some nicks and marks, subsequently thinning and silvering. Action and locks retain approx 20% orig case hardening color, are mostly pewter gray, engraving still clear. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish, edges slightly rounded over a number of marks with subsequent scratches and marks. Checkering has not been re-cut. Buttstock has been shortened and newly checkered. Top lever and trigger guard retain about 20 - 30% of their orig blue. Bores are excellent with no noted dings or dents. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Drop is good. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is quite dark with numerous rubs and scrapes. One strap is broken, the other is weak. Handle is intact but tender. Interior cloth is good, with considerable rubs and marks from contact with gun and bbls. Purdey label is fine, slightly foxed with some soiling. Charge card considerably foxed. Interior partitions are good. Accessories are fine to very fine. A solid early Purdey that has been enjoyed for generations, and appears to be ready for more. 53132-1 mgm26 (10,000-15,000) W/CASE, 16 ACCESS, CL ROD, 2 KEYS