April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
(1954) 32" demi-bloc single barrel is fitted with slightly raised matted ventilated rib. Rear portion of barrel on left side of rib is engraved "Made expressly for Marshall Field & Company. Chicago." Right side is engraved with Purdey's famous Audley House, South Audley Street address. Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2 -3/4" chamber. Bottom of barrel is stamped with serial number, tube number 60701, and with barrel makers initials "A H" (Alf Harvey). Case hardened sidelock action with decorative right hand sideplate, third fastener, and bushed striker is engraved in usual Purdey house style with 90% coverage well cut small scroll with the exception of specially requested heraldic American eagle on each lockplate. Both plates are also engraved "J. Purdey & Sons" which also appears on bottom of action over "London" and "England". Blued and scroll engraved trigger guard with "C. C. W." in gold on bow has serial number on tang, which extends to hard rubber grip cap. Finely flame figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/4" over thin brown leather covered pad. Classic point pattern checkering wraps over top of grip and usual drop points are behind lockplates. Matching beavertail ejector forend has Anson release. No actioners initials are found. Gun is housed in what appears to be original oak and leather case with brass corners in tan canvas outer cover. Case is lined in royal blue cloth and has gold embossed small black leather Purdey label in lid. Case contains 2 - piece cleaning rod, pull through cleaning kit in brown morocco wallet, striker key, Purdey marked snap cap, round oil bottle, bone striker bottle, and case straps in covered compartment. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Barrel retains nearly all of a high quality re-black. Action retains approximately 60% original color, worn on fences and beads, as well as on bottom. Lockplates retain nearly all of their color. Trigger guard most likely refinished at time of stocking retains about 60% of its blue. Stocks retain over 90% of their original finish, comb appears to have been altered subsequently. Bore is excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors strong. Case leather is excellent, but with some rubs, as mostly protected by its outer cover, which is good, leather corners fraying. Zippered closure remains good. Interior cloth is excellent. Accessories are very fine to excellent. PROVENANCE: Factory letter with specifications and indicating that it was made for Marshall Field and specified eagle on locks. Also that the gun was restocked in 1956 and again in 1957. MGM 123.
Barrel Wall Thickness
.063
Internal Bore Diameter
.732
Length of Pull
14 - 1/4" cast 1/4 off