*INCREDIBLE TRUE PAIR OF JAMES PURDEY 28 GA EXTRA FINISH GAME SCENE ENGRAVED LIGHT GAME GUNS WITH CASE.

*INCREDIBLE TRUE PAIR OF JAMES PURDEY 28 GA EXTRA FINISH GAME SCENE ENGRAVED LIGHT GAME GUNS WITH CASE. SN 25413/ 25414. (ca. 1937) Cal. 28 Ga. 2-7/8″ Chambers. A superb pair of guns built at a time acknowledged by most as the apex of British gun-making. They have 26″ chopper lump bbls with low narrow matted game ribs. Tops of bbls are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons.” and “Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England.” Bbl flats have London nitro proofs for 2-7/8″ chambers, and 3/4 oz. of shot. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “Choke” and with SNs. Loop numbers 61405 and 61406 are on gun no. “1”, and 61407 and 61408 are on gun no. “2”. Bottom of rear lumps are engraved “1” and “2” respectively. Long time Purdey barrel makers initials “AW” (Arthur Wilkes) are on each set of bbls. Perfectly down-scaled case hardened Beesley patent self-opening actions feature side clips, bushed strikers, double triggers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold). Water tables are marked “J. Purdey & Sons, London. England” with London view proofs and nos. “1” and “2” stamped on web between lump recesses on each gun respectively. Action bodies and lockplates are engraved with very well cut shaded minuscule scroll, as background for somewhat naive vignettes of game, and rose bouquets, in ovals which is undoubtedly the work of master engraver Harry Kell. Game includes ducks on right lockplates, another duck and snipe on left lockplates. Bottom of actions show pair of geese in one oval, and two types of crane in ovals flanking trigger plate extensions. Fences are deep relief engraved in florally terminated scrolled acanthus. Nos “1” and “2” are engraved on top levers of each gun respectively. Trigger guards have scene of two ducks in marsh on bows, with SNs and scroll engraving on tangs, which extend to small horn grip caps. Rather plain, dense, slightly figured European walnut long pistol grip buttstocks feature drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and gold ovals on toe lines engraved with initials “W.P.I”. Gun no. “1” measures 14-7/16″ over open sided “White Line” pad with leather facing. Gun no. “2” measures 15-5/16″ over original checkered wood butt. Splinter forends have Anson releases. Irons are engraved with “1” and “2” for each gun respectively, and stamped with SNs, and actioners initial “H” (most probably long time Purdey employee Fred Hughes). Gun no. “1” Bore diameter: left -.552, right -.552. Bore restrictions: left -.037, right -.027. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.031. Drop at heel: 2-11/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 5 lbs. 5.4 oz, LOP 14-7/16″. Gun no. “2” Bore diameter: left -.552, right -.552. Bore restrictions: left -.037, right -.035. Wall thickness: left -.028, right -.029. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 5 lbs. 1.3 oz, LOP 14-5/16″. Original makers oak and leather two-gun case with brass corners, has round brass medallion on lid with leather embossed “W.P.I.” Interior is lined in maroon cloth with James Purdey gold embossed black leather label and charge card for these particular guns, indicating original 2-7/8″ chambers. Case contains two keys. PROVENANCE: Walker Inman Trust. Copy of Purdey ledger page with specifications. Griffin & Howe letter with Abercrombie & Fitch record indicating special order for W P Inman in May 1937. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 85 – 90% orig blue, with some areas of silvering at muzzles, and on sides, probably from contact with case. This is more evident on gun no. “2” especially on left side of bbl. Actions retain 85-90% orig case hardened color, pleasingly silvered on beads and fences. Lockplates retain virtually all of their orig color. Bright blue on hinge pins has faded slightly, and is completely silver on right side of gun no. “1”. Tumbler ends retain virtually all of their bright blue. Safety buttons are silvered at tails, with gun no. “1” showing more silvering. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig oil finish with a few minor marks from handling and use. Checkering is crisp, and slightly dirty. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny. Both guns show very slight bulges behind chokes of right bbls only, about 1″ back from muzzles. Actions are tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Note: Case was stored in an unheated shed for many years, while guns were in a vault. Case leather is smooth with a few minor bumps, and some slight water damage on lid. Handle is fine. Straps are missing. Interior cloth has some insect damage. Partitions are tight. Labels are excellent. An exceptionally rare and desirable pair of guns. 4-41250 MGM6 (80,000-120,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

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
	1151	$115,000.00	INCREDIBLE TRUE PAIR OF JAMES PURDEY 28 GA EXTRA FINISH GAME SCENE ENGRAVED LIGHT GAME GUNS WITH CASE. SN 25413/ 25414. (ca. 1937) Cal. 28 Ga. 2-7/8″ Chambers. A superb pair of guns built at a time acknowledged by most as the apex of British gun-making. They have 26″ chopper lump bbls with low narrow matted game ribs. Tops of bbls are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons.” and “Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England.” Bbl flats have London nitro proofs for 2-7/8″ chambers, and 3/4 oz. of shot. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “Choke” and with SNs. Loop numbers 61405 and 61406 are on gun no. “1”, and 61407 and 61408 are on gun no. “2”. Bottom of rear lumps are engraved “1” and “2” respectively. Long time Purdey barrel makers initials “AW” (Arthur Wilkes) are on each set of bbls. Perfectly down-scaled case hardened Beesley patent self-opening actions feature side clips, bushed strikers, double triggers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold). Water tables are marked “J. Purdey & Sons, London. England” with London view proofs and nos. “1” and “2” stamped on web between lump recesses on each gun respectively. Action bodies and lockplates are engraved with very well cut shaded minuscule scroll, as background for somewhat naive vignettes of game, and rose bouquets, in ovals which is undoubtedly the work of master engraver Harry Kell. Game includes ducks on right lockplates, another duck and snipe on left lockplates. Bottom of actions show pair of geese in one oval, and two types of crane in ovals flanking trigger plate extensions. Fences are deep relief engraved in florally terminated scrolled acanthus. Nos “1” and “2” are engraved on top levers of each gun respectively. Trigger guards have scene of two ducks in marsh on bows, with SNs and scroll engraving on tangs, which extend to small horn grip caps. Rather plain, dense, slightly figured European walnut long pistol grip buttstocks feature drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and gold ovals on toe lines engraved with initials “W.P.I”. Gun no. “1” measures 14-7/16″ over open sided “White Line” pad with leather facing. Gun no. “2” measures 15-5/16″ over original checkered wood butt. Splinter forends have Anson releases. Irons are engraved with “1” and “2” for each gun respectively, and stamped with SNs, and actioners initial “H” (most probably long time Purdey employee Fred Hughes). Gun no. “1” Bore diameter: left -.552, right -.552. Bore restrictions: left -.037, right -.027. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.031. Drop at heel: 2-11/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 5 lbs. 5.4 oz, LOP 14-7/16″. Gun no. “2” Bore diameter: left -.552, right -.552. Bore restrictions: left -.037, right -.035. Wall thickness: left -.028, right -.029. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 5 lbs. 1.3 oz, LOP 14-5/16″. Original makers oak and leather two-gun case with brass corners, has round brass medallion on lid with leather embossed “W.P.I.” Interior is lined in maroon cloth with James Purdey gold embossed black leather label and charge card for these particular guns, indicating original 2-7/8″ chambers. Case contains two keys. PROVENANCE: Walker Inman Trust. Copy of Purdey ledger page with specifications. Griffin & Howe letter with Abercrombie & Fitch record indicating special order for W P Inman in May 1937. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 85 – 90% orig blue, with some areas of silvering at muzzles, and on sides, probably from contact with case. This is more evident on gun no. “2” especially on left side of bbl. Actions retain 85-90% orig case hardened color, pleasingly silvered on beads and fences. Lockplates retain virtually all of their orig color. Bright blue on hinge pins has faded slightly, and is completely silver on right side of gun no. “1”. Tumbler ends retain virtually all of their bright blue. Safety buttons are silvered at tails, with gun no. “1” showing more silvering. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig oil finish with a few minor marks from handling and use. Checkering is crisp, and slightly dirty. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny. Both guns show very slight bulges behind chokes of right bbls only, about 1″ back from muzzles. Actions are tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Note: Case was stored in an unheated shed for many years, while guns were in a vault. Case leather is smooth with a few minor bumps, and some slight water damage on lid. Handle is fine. Straps are missing. Interior cloth has some insect damage. Partitions are tight. Labels are excellent. An exceptionally rare and desirable pair of guns. 4-41250 MGM6 (80,000-120,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 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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