*EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF RARE 2 INCH 12 BORE LIGHTWEIGHT JAMES PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS MADE FOR MAHARAJA OF NAWANAGAR WITH ORIGINAL CASE.

SN 24801/ 24802. Cal. 12 ga. 2″ Chambers. 28″ Chopper lump bbls are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England” on deeply swamped game ribs, engraved “1” and “2” at rear portions. Guns are a true pair with consecutive SNs and “1” and “2” also engraved on top levers, and interior of forend irons. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2″ chambers and 7/8 oz shot. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, left bbls with choke, and also bbl makers initials “S.S” (Sam Simons). Splinters are gold inlaid “2” CASE”. Tube numbers “61786” and “61787” are on loop of gun no. “1”, and “61788” and “61789” are on gun no. “2”. Bottoms of right bbls are marked with importers name and address. Small case hardened Beesley patent self-opening sidelock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Actions are engraved with well cut Purdey house style rose and scroll. “J. Purdey & Sons” is at the bottom of each lockplate, and on bottom of action over “London” and “England”. Blued top levers and trigger guards are also scroll engraved, and have SNs on long tangs. Well matched, lightly figured and marbled European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 14-3/4″ (both) over checkered wood butts. Stocks feature drop points, standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grips, and vacant gold ovals on toe lines. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Irons are stamped with actioner’s initials “M.T” (Maurice Timbers). Gun no. “1”: Bore diameter: left -.731, right -.731. Bore restrictions: left -.013 (Lt mod), right -.009 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.020, right -.021. Drop at heel: 1-15/16″, drop at comb: 1-7/16″. Weight: 5 lbs 6 oz. LOP: 14-3/4″. Gun no. “2”: Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.009 (IC), right -.009 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.023, right -.024. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 5 lbs 7 oz. LOP: 14-3/4″. (A bit more drop than gun no. 1, undoubtedly to be used for driven shooting, whereas gun “1” would have been used for walk-up.) Orig makers oak and leather two gun case has leather trimmed canvas outer cover. Case has brass corners, central brass medallion, and is embossed “D. R. J.” Front of case is stamped “JAMES PURDEY & SONS LTD” and “MADE IN ENGLAND”. Outer cover has painted in initials “D.R.J.” (Digvijaysinhji Rinjitsinhji Jam, the Maharaja of Nawanagar). Case is lined in burgundy cloth, with gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, and paper charge card for these guns. Case contains 2-pc rosewood and brass cleaning rod with short handle, mop and brush, ebony handled striker key, Purdey marked square oil bottle, four Purdey marked snap caps, and bone striker bottle containing two pairs of gold-plated strikers with springs. PROVENANCE: Purdey has confirmed from their records that this pair of shotguns were completed in November 1935 with 28″ barrels and 2″ chambers for His Highness the Maharaja of Nawanagar. Lt. General Mharaja Jam Sri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji was born Sept. 18th 1895. He was schooled first in India and then in England at Malvern College before being commissioned into the British Army as a second lieutenant in 1919. He came out of the army in 1931 holding the rank of captain but received several honorary ranks from the Indian Army which culminated in 1947 when he became a Lieutenant General. He was adopted by his uncle, the well-known first class cricket player, Maharaja K.S. Ranjitsinhji as so became his heir. He became Maharaja of the 13-gun Princely state on his uncle’s death in 1933 and continued the policies of moderate reform and development. He was knighted in 1935 and was also married in 1935. He was President of the Chamber of Princes from 1937 until 1944. After the war, Sir Digvijaysinhji was the Deputy Leader of the Indian delegation to the UN and chaired both the UN Administration Tribunal and the UN Negotiating Comittee on Korean Rehabilitation following the Korean War. Sir Digvijaysinhji died in 1966 after ruling for 33 years. CONDITION: Gun no. “1” is fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a London quality re-black, engraving clear, but somewhat softened around breech ends of bbls. Action and lockplates retain traces of orig case hardening color, but are mostly silver gray, engraving remains clear. Top lever is re-blued, and considerably silvered at thumbpiece. Trigger guard retains a considerable amount of what appears to be orig blue on bow, balance silver gray. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig rubbed oil finish with numerous light marks, checkering considerably worn and dirty. There is a very small chip along bbl channel on left side of forend. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Action has just a hint of looseness, drop is good. Ejectors are strong and in time. Gun no. “2” is excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a London quality re-black, engraving clear. Action retains approx 30% orig case hardening color, nicely silvered on bottom from normal hand wear. Lockplates retain 80 – 90% of their color, left plate quite strong. Top lever and trigger guard retain a considerable amount of their orig blue, guard silvered on edges of bow, and with considerable silvering at grip. Stocks retain 70 – 80% of their orig finish with a number of light marks, worn through and darkened at grip, checkering considerably worn. Bores are excellent. Action has just a hint of looseness. Drop is excellent. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is excellent, as protected by its outer cover, with only a few rubs and compressions. Outer cover is good with rubs on edges. Straps are good. Orig case handle is fine. Interior cloth is very fine, with compressions and soiling from guns and compartment knobs. Labels are very, very fine, as are accessories. A fine pair of wonderfully balanced, dynamic, lightweight guns. 2″ sidelock guns are exceptionally rare and highly prized. 4-55349 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 2409

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2409	$0.00	EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF RARE 2 INCH 12 BORE LIGHTWEIGHT JAMES PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS MADE FOR MAHARAJA OF NAWANAGAR WITH ORIGINAL CASE. SN 24801/ 24802. Cal. 12 ga. 2″ Chambers. 28″ Chopper lump bbls are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England” on deeply swamped game ribs, engraved “1” and “2” at rear portions. Guns are a true pair with consecutive SNs and “1” and “2” also engraved on top levers, and interior of forend irons. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2″ chambers and 7/8 oz shot. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, left bbls with choke, and also bbl makers initials “S.S” (Sam Simons). Splinters are gold inlaid “2” CASE”. Tube numbers “61786” and “61787” are on loop of gun no. “1”, and “61788” and “61789” are on gun no. “2”. Bottoms of right bbls are marked with importers name and address. Small case hardened Beesley patent self-opening sidelock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Actions are engraved with well cut Purdey house style rose and scroll. “J. Purdey & Sons” is at the bottom of each lockplate, and on bottom of action over “London” and “England”. Blued top levers and trigger guards are also scroll engraved, and have SNs on long tangs. Well matched, lightly figured and marbled European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 14-3/4″ (both) over checkered wood butts. Stocks feature drop points, standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grips, and vacant gold ovals on toe lines. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Irons are stamped with actioner’s initials “M.T” (Maurice Timbers). Gun no. “1”: Bore diameter: left -.731, right -.731. Bore restrictions: left -.013 (Lt mod), right -.009 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.020, right -.021. Drop at heel: 1-15/16″, drop at comb: 1-7/16″. Weight: 5 lbs 6 oz. LOP: 14-3/4″. Gun no. “2”: Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.009 (IC), right -.009 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.023, right -.024. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 5 lbs 7 oz. LOP: 14-3/4″. (A bit more drop than gun no. 1, undoubtedly to be used for driven shooting, whereas gun “1” would have been used for walk-up.) Orig makers oak and leather two gun case has leather trimmed canvas outer cover. Case has brass corners, central brass medallion, and is embossed “D. R. J.” Front of case is stamped “JAMES PURDEY & SONS LTD” and “MADE IN ENGLAND”. Outer cover has painted in initials “D.R.J.” (Digvijaysinhji Rinjitsinhji Jam, the Maharaja of Nawanagar). Case is lined in burgundy cloth, with gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, and paper charge card for these guns. Case contains 2-pc rosewood and brass cleaning rod with short handle, mop and brush, ebony handled striker key, Purdey marked square oil bottle, four Purdey marked snap caps, and bone striker bottle containing two pairs of gold-plated strikers with springs. PROVENANCE: Purdey has confirmed from their records that this pair of shotguns were completed in November 1935 with 28″ barrels and 2″ chambers for His Highness the Maharaja of Nawanagar. Lt. General Mharaja Jam Sri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji was born Sept. 18th 1895. He was schooled first in India and then in England at Malvern College before being commissioned into the British Army as a second lieutenant in 1919. He came out of the army in 1931 holding the rank of captain but received several honorary ranks from the Indian Army which culminated in 1947 when he became a Lieutenant General. He was adopted by his uncle, the well-known first class cricket player, Maharaja K.S. Ranjitsinhji as so became his heir. He became Maharaja of the 13-gun Princely state on his uncle’s death in 1933 and continued the policies of moderate reform and development. He was knighted in 1935 and was also married in 1935. He was President of the Chamber of Princes from 1937 until 1944. After the war, Sir Digvijaysinhji was the Deputy Leader of the Indian delegation to the UN and chaired both the UN Administration Tribunal and the UN Negotiating Comittee on Korean Rehabilitation following the Korean War. Sir Digvijaysinhji died in 1966 after ruling for 33 years. CONDITION: Gun no. “1” is fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a London quality re-black, engraving clear, but somewhat softened around breech ends of bbls. Action and lockplates retain traces of orig case hardening color, but are mostly silver gray, engraving remains clear. Top lever is re-blued, and considerably silvered at thumbpiece. Trigger guard retains a considerable amount of what appears to be orig blue on bow, balance silver gray. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig rubbed oil finish with numerous light marks, checkering considerably worn and dirty. There is a very small chip along bbl channel on left side of forend. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Action has just a hint of looseness, drop is good. Ejectors are strong and in time. Gun no. “2” is excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a London quality re-black, engraving clear. Action retains approx 30% orig case hardening color, nicely silvered on bottom from normal hand wear. Lockplates retain 80 – 90% of their color, left plate quite strong. Top lever and trigger guard retain a considerable amount of their orig blue, guard silvered on edges of bow, and with considerable silvering at grip. Stocks retain 70 – 80% of their orig finish with a number of light marks, worn through and darkened at grip, checkering considerably worn. Bores are excellent. Action has just a hint of looseness. Drop is excellent. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is excellent, as protected by its outer cover, with only a few rubs and compressions. Outer cover is good with rubs on edges. Straps are good. Orig case handle is fine. Interior cloth is very fine, with compressions and soiling from guns and compartment knobs. Labels are very, very fine, as are accessories. A fine pair of wonderfully balanced, dynamic, lightweight guns. 2″ sidelock guns are exceptionally rare and highly prized. 4-55349 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 2409 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF RARE 2 INCH 12 BORE LIGHTWEIGHT JAMES PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS MADE FOR MAHARAJA OF NAWANAGAR WITH ORIGINAL CASE.