GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
FINE AND RARE PURDEY BAR-IN-WOOD TOP LEVER HAMMER HEAVY GAME SHOTGUN.PURDEYSXS BIW1703312MODERN; ESA(ca 1900) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 30" Bbls with slightly raised matted concave rib with twin ivory beads, are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street, London." and "Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Pressed Steel." Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs; bottom of left bbl with bbl makers initials, "HM" (H.Meers ?). Tube numbers "24561" and "24562" are on loop. Case hardened bar-in-wood top lever action fitted with rebounding bar locks, having rounded serpentine hammers, features side clips, hidden third fastener, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved in typical Purdey house style with rose and minuscule scroll, as most likely done by J. Lucas, chief engraver. Trigger guard with large open scroll on bow, has SN on tang. Top lever is engraved "2", which also appears on interior of forend iron, but is not found on bbls. Nicely marbled and figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15" over leather faced white line pad over 1/4" wood spacer. Stock also features correctly shaped drop points, as well as point pattern checkering at grip. Matching splinter forend with Anson release has barely discernible actioners initial on iron, "S" (?), most likely for C Smith, listed in 1875. Bore diameter: left -.735, right - 730. Bore restrictions: left - .031 (full), right - .028 (Imod). Wall thickness: left - .022, right - .030. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: approx 1/2 off. Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 15". CONDITION: Fine, as partially restored. Bbls retain over 95% correct re-black, engraving slightly softened. Action and locks retain most, perhaps as much 60% orig case hardening color. Top lever and trigger guard retain most of a re-blue, engraving somewhat softened. Newer stock is correctly shaped, and well done, but is probably not factory. (Checkering somewhat square, and lines do not follow borders.) Stock retains nearly all of an old finish, with some deep scratches on right side. 2" Slivers of wood have been inset either side of trigger guard tang. Forend wood appears orig, refinished, checkering re-cut. Bores are excellent, with a few light striations. Action has a touch of looseness. Locks are excellent. Action pin, and most likely top lever pin, are replaced. Front trigger has rubber wrap. A handsome, and with a bit of TLC undoubtedly a great shooting Purdey. 53013-2 mgm5 (7,000-10,000)