October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
(1888) In the late 1870's Purdeys, who had always made "best" guns only, was looking for a larger market share, and introduced a line of lesser quality guns still carrying the Purdey name. A normal best gun was given "Grade A", and sold for 58 pounds, and grades ranged down through to "Grade E" which sold for 22 pounds. All grades under "A" were clearly marked with their grade under a crossed bullet logo trademark on barrel flats and water table. Some of these guns were produced in-house, but most were acquired through the trade, and finished at Purdeys. This particular gun, a best quality Anson & Deeley boxlock, is a "Grade C" gun which retailed at almost 36 pounds. It was most likely acquired from W. and C. Scott and finished at Purdeys. It has 30" fine Damascus barrels fitted with slightly swamped narrow game rib engraved "J. Purdey & Sons. Audley House. South Audley Street. London". Bottoms of barrels are stamped with London black powder proofs and barrel flats are stamped with London nitro re-proofs for 2 - 1/2" chambers, along with the aforementioned Purdey trademark and "C". Case hardened boxlock action with intercepting safety sears (Anson & Deeley patent use number 4929) also features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), and pivoting third fastener which engages a dolls head rib extension, and double triggers. Action and extractors are fitted with an unusual ejector system patented by W. Anson in 1884 with modifications in 1886. The entire mechanism is incorporated in the extractors and rear lump, and is non-selective. Action is engraved with 70% coverage well cut small classic scroll. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each side. Blued top lever, floorplate, and trigger guard are also scroll engraved. Serial number is on trigger guard tang. Nicely streaked and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 - 3/8" over checkered wood butt. Drop points are behind side panels and point pattern flat top checkering with mullered borders is at grip. A vacant silver oval is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend is nearly fully checkered and has Anson release with patent marking on plunger housing. Gun is housed in an old leather case with riveted on plated corners on top, which is embossed "M. D. E." Interior is lined in burgundy cloth and has reproduction Purdey label along with new charge card with specifications for this gun, in lid. Case contains a round Purdey marked oil bottle. CONDITION: Very fine, as refinished, many years ago. Barrels retain 80 - 90% good quality re-brown, most likely applied at time of re-proof. Action retains approx 60% newer London case color, engraving slightly softened. Blued parts retain most of their blue. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish over some light marks with many minor subsequent marks. Checkering is somewhat worn. Bores are very fine to excellent, slightly frosted at breech ends. Action is tight. Barrels are off face. Ejector fires each time barrels are opened. Case leather is dark, stained and rubbed. Straps are missing. Renewed handle is good. Interior is good. A neat old Purdey with some intriguing features. MGM62
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .032 R .033
Choke
L .020 (mod) R .005 (IC)
Internal Bore Diameter
L .732 R .738
Length of Pull
14 - 3/8" neutral cast