April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
(1939) With the increased demand for over/under guns after World War I, Purdey built over/under guns on a design by Edwinson Green. It incorporated six locking surfaces and bolts, and was effective, but rather cumbersome, with its tall action. During the '30's, actioner Harry Lawrence made some design changes borrowing the basic trunnion hinge pin design from Woodward and eliminating one pair of bolts toward the front of the action, and simplifying the bolts on the standing breech. This gun, one of the last built before World War II, is of the later design, but with front bolts retained at the direction of Athol Purdey. 27 Purdey over/unders were built on the Green design between 1923 and 1939. This gun has 30" demi-bloc barrels fitted with narrow matted solid rib, and engraved "J. Purdey & Sons. Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England." on left side of top barrel. Right side of top barrel and bottom of bottom barrel are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2 - 3/4" chambers. Barrel makers initials "GW" (George Wood) are on bottom barrel. Low profile over/under sidelock action features automatic safety, reinforcing bolsters, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action and lockplates are engraved with exceptionally well cut Purdey house style small shaded scroll with rose bouquet highlights. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate, as well as inside forend iron mortise in bottom of action, where it is over "London" and "ENGLAND". Top lever and trigger guard are also scroll engraved and are blued. Serial number is on trigger guard tang which extends to engraved steel grip cap. Well marbled and nicely figured dark European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 5/8" over black leather covered pad. Stock features classic point pattern checkering, drop points, and a gold oval on toe line engraved "AES JR" (G & H records indicate gun was ordered by A. E. Staley, Jr. a processor of corn and starch). Matching slim ejector forend has Anson release. Gun is housed in leather motor case with stitched leather corners. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth with small black leather gold embossed Purdey label along with charge card for this particular gun, in lid. Case contains Purdey marked oil bottle and snap caps, as well as a pair of ebony handled turnscrews, pull through field cleaning kit, bone striker bottle with two spare strikers, cleaning equipment consisting of a 2-piece rosewood and brass cleaning rod, along with some brushes and mops. CONDITION: Fine, as refurbished by Purdey's. Barrels retain approximately 95% best London re-black over some minor dings, mostly along rib. Action and lockplates retain a considerable amount faded original case color. Top lever and trigger guard re-blued, engraving slightly softened. Stocks retain nearly all renewed oil finish, checkering competently re-cut. Newer leather covered pad added to increase length of pull to 14 - 5/8". (All per factory invoice.) Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Forend cannot be installed without action being cocked. Top barrel will not fire. Bottom barrel must be cocked manually. Case leather is still light in color, but has numerous scuffs and scrapes. Straps are good, handle is beginning to detach. Interior cloth and labels are fine. Accessories are good. A very rare "best" gun in need of some very minor mechanical TLC which can be corrected by any accomplished gunsmith. MGM 132.
Accessories
Case, Accessories
Barrel Wall Thickness
(O) .028 (U) .027
Choke
(O) .032 (.002 recess) (Full) (U) .034 (.002 recess) (Full)
Internal Bore Diameter
(O) .733 (U) .732
Length of Pull
14 - 5/8" cast 1/4 off
Paperwork
Factory letters, correspondence on refurbish, import docs, info on original owner