October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2018
With the advent of the centerfire breech loader, cartridges were completely hidden when gun was closed. During the pinfire era one could see at a glance by observing the protruding pin whether a gun was loaded or not. To obviate that objection to the new fangled centerfire gun, Purdey patented (no. 1464 of 1866) a loaded indicator. With a cartridge in a closed chamber a lever would cam a pin upward to protrude from the top of the standing breech just like a pinfire. This solid example of an action with this rare feature has 28" barrels engraved "J. Purdey. 314 1/2 Oxford Street. London." on narrow, swamped game rib. Barrel flats are stamped with London 2002 nitro proofs for 2 - 3/4" chambers, and "SLEEVED". Round bodied action is of Purdey's second type with thumbhole opening lever. Back spring island locks are fitted with round bodied serpentine rebounding hammers with stylized dolphin heads. Action and locks are engraved with 70% coverage well cut small scroll. Top of action is engraved "Patent". Bottom of action is engraved "Purdey's Patent". Each lockplate is engraved "Purdey". Newer lightly streaked and figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/4" over checkered wood butt with steel heel and toe plates. Classic point pattern checkering is at grip, and a vacant brass oval is on toe line. Original fully checkered splinter forend attaches to barrels with sliding side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. CONDITION: Very good, as refurbished. Barrels retain nearly all "best" London blue applied at time of sleeving. Action and lockplates cleaned to coin finish. Opening lever, trigger guard and hammers are re-blued, and retain essentially all of that blue. New buttstock retains essentially all of its hand rubbed oil finish. Checkering of forend re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Locks are excellent. This would be a great gun for the Vintager or bird hunter aspiring to shoot a Purdey. MGM 147
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .038 R .035
Choke
L .038 (full) R .020 (mod)
Internal Bore Diameter
L .726 R .725
Length of Pull
14 - 1/4" cast about 1/2 off