November 18, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2020
Circa 1922. A handsome pair of vintage and historical shotguns built for General Lord Horne then gifted to The Duke of Hamilton, Lord Steward of the Household to His Majesty King George VI and to the present Queen, who then made these his own primary game guns. These guns were built with 29" chopper lump blacked steel barrels with ejectors, smooth, tapered concave game ribs, round brass front bead sights and are numbered "1" and "2" in gold near breech. The ribs read "J. PURDEY & SONS AUDLEY HOUSE SOUTH AUDLEY STREET LONDON." "MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTHS FLUID PRESSED STEEL." Bottoms of barrels are marked with their individual tube numbers "53376/53377" and "53378/53379", "SS" (Sam Simons) the barrel maker, serial numbers and marked choke just ahead of the barrel flats on left barrel. Current chokes being Quarter (Left) and Improved Cylinder (Right). Barrel flats are marked appropriately with London Nitro Proof marks, gauge (12) and load. Barrels are supported by nicely checkered splinter walnut forend grips with Anson styled push button releases and their escutcheons are numbered "1" and "2" in gold. Exterior blacked forend iron metal on both engraved with scroll. Interiors are stamped with appropriate serial numbers, "1" and "2" and actioners initials "P.W." for the number "1" gun and "M" for the number two gun. Patent Beasley actions with silver gray patinas, are engraved with nicely cut Purdey house style rose and scroll, as originated in the 1890’s. “J. Purdey & Sons.” is on each lockplate as well as on bottom of action over “London”. Shiny actions are built with disc set strikers, cocking indicators, auto-safes "SAFE" in gold, blacked engraved top levers numbered "1" and "2" in gold and fine checkering which wrap over wrists. Double triggers with the front being long and articulated are protected by the blacked trigger guards which have serial numbers on tangs, and extends through the English styled checkered grip. 14 - 3/4" deep smoky and marbled European walnut stocks with traditional drop points, ovals with faded engraved crests and checkered butts. Guns are accompanied by their canvas covered oak and leather trunk case and accessories of cleaning, four turnscrews, striker pot with extra strikers, J. Purdey and Sons round nickel oil bottle, 4 nickel snaps caps, cleaning tools, charge card and J. Purdey paper case label. CONDITION: Good. Barrels have 98% new black and have been "Teague" choked. The number 1 barrel's right ejector trips upon opening. The stock and forend on the number one gun with handling marks, most being at butt of stock. The number two gun with slightly fewer handling marks, again more at butt. Butt stocks most likely have been restocked as stocks are long and figure is modern for the brace's age. Actions are mechanically sound and triggers are crisp. Some slight wear to a few screw head slots. Case and outer cover are in good condition with some age and storage marks. Good pair of guns with a nice bit of provenance. CP
Accessories
Case & Accessories
Barrel Wall Thickness
(A/1) (L) .022 (R) .023 (B/2) (L) .023 (R) .022
Choke
TEAGUE (Quarter & Improved Cylinder)
Drop at Comb
(A/1) 1 - 5/8" (B/2) 1 - 1/2"
Drop at Heel
(A/1) 2 - 3/8" (B/2) 2 - 1/8"
Internal Bore Diameter
(A/1) (L) .738 (R) .737 (B/2) (L) .735 (R) .736
Length of Pull
(BOTH) 14 - 3/4"
Manufacturer
(BOTH) J. Purdey & Sons
Weight
(A/1)6 Lbs. 10 oz. (B/2) 6 Lbs. 12 oz.
Serial Number
(A/1) 22263 (B/2) 22264