May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Circa 1962. One of only 59 single-barrel trap guns built by Purdey. Barrel fit with a stipple matted rib with a large aluminum front sight (replaced) and a brass mid-bead on a vent rib. Right side of breech with famous Audley house address, breech with stiff leaf border engraving. Bottom of barrel with "PURDEY", serial number, and "A.H." for Alf Harvey. Forearm lump with "66740". Barrel flats with modern proofs for a 12 gauge gun with 2 - 3/4" chambers, nitro proof, and nominal .729 IBD at 3 - 1/4 tons. Wide flat bottom beavertail forearm with Anson plunger release and is checkered in point pattern throughout; exterior iron engraved with diminutive scroll and floral accents; even the plunger shaft has a flower on it. Disc set striker with truing strike aligned, water table with crowned CP proof, and visible serial number. Case-colored locks are engraved in Purdey's house rose and scroll with two bouquets supported by scroll accents and vinework borders. Bottom on action signed 'J. PURDEY & SONS / LONDON". Single trigger bladed to the right for a right-handed shooter is protected by a flat-bottomed trigger guard decorated with scroll engraving and serial number on a full-length strap to a hard rubber grip cap. Pistol grip stock of a nicely figured feather crotch walnut with teardrop behind action and checkered in point pattern about the wrist, with panels narrowing towards tang. Initials "ACB" individually inletted along belly on stock. Stock finished by a Pachmayr Old English recoil pad. Housed in a canvas wrapped case with leather corners, lined in forest green, with a Purdey trade label in lid and containing accessories comprising an ebony striker pot with an additional striker, 2 part cleaning rod with brushes and a jag, snapcap, and a memorial coin for the Amateur Trap Shooting Association 79th Grand American, 1900-1918. Accompanied by an email exchange with David Maynard indicating that the gun was completed in February 1962 as a 30" gun with 2 - 3/4" chamber, good modified choke, vent rib, pistol grip stock, 14 - 5/8" LOP with rubber heel pad, ivory bead front sight and small mid bead, no safety, and "A C B" inlaid in the stock. CONDITION: Very good as partially restored. Barrel with the majority of its bluing with some marks from handling and the field, some rubs to silver where forearm contacts, and an even mottling of the finish throughout. Forearm, probably a replacement, is very good with some handling marks en suite, a few abraded heads. Locks with approximately half of their older case colors, engraving is crisp. Trigger guard and top lever reblued. Stock very good with handling marks throughout, finish somewhat hazy. Mechanically fine, ejector functional, bore with some very mild orange peel ahead of forcing cone. Case very good. A pleasant example of a scarce gun.
Item Dimensions: 33" x 10" x 4"
Barrel Wall Thickness
.060
Internal Bore Diameter
.732
Manufacturer
J. Purdey & Sons