*EXCEPTIONAL DEEP CHISEL ENGRAVED JAMES PURDEY HEAVY GAME GUN WITH TWO SETS OF BARRELS AND CASE.

*EXCEPTIONAL DEEP CHISEL ENGRAVED JAMES PURDEY HEAVY GAME GUN WITH TWO SETS OF BARRELS AND CASE. SN 18831. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers (Factory records). 28″ Chopper lump bbls with stippled concave high game ribs are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons. Audley House. South Audley Street, London.” and “Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid-Pressed Steel.” on tops. Bbl flats show London nitro proofs for 1-1/8 oz. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and “Choke”. Loop numbers “33305” and “33306” are on the open choked bbls, and “34236” and “34237” are on the tightly choked bbls. “Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid-Pressed Steel” is engraved on rear portion of bottom ribs. Bbl makers initials “S.S” (Sam Simons) are on each set of bbls. Beesley patent self-opening action features hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), and gold arrow tumbler end cocking indicators. All metal parts are blued, and feature exceptionally well detailed and finely shaded high raised relief open acanthus scroll with floral highlights as background to exceptional renditions of game birds and small mammals, including a pair of ducks on fences, large ruffed grouse on left lockplate, and snipe on right. Bottom of action has a scene of trio of incoming red grouse. A scampering rabbit is within oval on trigger guard, and a squirrel looking back over his shoulder resides on top lever. The head of a grouse peers through background of grass on forend tip. Safety button is emblazoned with classic full relief Satyr’s mask. This exceptionally fine work is in the style of the noted French engraver, Barre. Nicely marbled and lightly figured European walnut Prince of Wales grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over checkered wood butt with scroll engraved heel and toe plates. Stocks also feature approx. 22 LPI point pattern semi flat top checkering with mullered borders. Gold oval engraved “W. P. I.” is on toe line. Splinter forend has Anson release with SN and actioner’s initials “J.T” (Joe Thompson) on iron. Factory records indicate that this gun was completed in 1907 for a Mr. Fowler, with gold inlaid name in old English letters, and gold SN, also with full pistol grip with metal cap, and gold inlaid letters on cap. This is the standard configuration of what is known as a “funeral model”, being devoid of any engraving. At this time this gun has no gold inlay except for “Safe”. Purdey records do not indicate that it was returned to factory, however V L & D records indicate that the gun was returned to Purdey’s for “refinishing” which included installing new ribs on bbls, and re-stocking. Apparently this refinishing also included the high relief engraving on the gun, as copy of Purdey ledger indicates “all work chased, scrolls, birds, squirrels”. This is the last entry on ledger page which indicates that this work was probably performed at a date later than the original making. Open choke bbls: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.010, right -.010. Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.034. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. Tightly choked bbls: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.043, right -.025. Wall thickness: left -.031, right -.026. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. Makers oak and leather case with brass corners, has round central medallion on lid. Leather is embossed with the initials “W. P. I.” Interior is lined with maroon cloth, with Purdey paper label on lid and charge card for this particular gun. Case contains a couple of cleaning brushes. PROVENANCE: Walker Inman Trust. Purdey factory letter with specifications of gun and Griffin & Howe historians letter outlining history of gun, indicating that it was returned to factory for “H. G. Jr” (Henry Graves, Jr), and sold to W P Inman in 1936. CONDITION: Excellent, as factory finished. Both sets of bbls retain virtually all of their lustrous black. Action, lockplates, trigger guard and top lever retain 90% of their charcoal blue, pleasingly silvered on action beads, fences, and thumbpiece. Safety button has silvered to about 60%. Heel and toe plates are mostly silver. Stocks retain most of their orig slackum finish with a number of minor marks and scratches. There is an incipient crack about 3/16″ long behind point of top tang. Checkering is good, slightly dirty. Action is 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, but with evidence of considerable water damage. Interior cloth has severe insect damage, and certainly needs re-lining. Labels are fine. Charge card has a tear. Partitions are tight, but locating blocks are loose. An extremely unusual exhibition quality gun. 4-41253 MGM2 (30,000-45,000)

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
	1153	$43,125.00	EXCEPTIONAL DEEP CHISEL ENGRAVED JAMES PURDEY HEAVY GAME GUN WITH TWO SETS OF BARRELS AND CASE. SN 18831. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers (Factory records). 28″ Chopper lump bbls with stippled concave high game ribs are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons. Audley House. South Audley Street, London.” and “Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid-Pressed Steel.” on tops. Bbl flats show London nitro proofs for 1-1/8 oz. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and “Choke”. Loop numbers “33305” and “33306” are on the open choked bbls, and “34236” and “34237” are on the tightly choked bbls. “Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid-Pressed Steel” is engraved on rear portion of bottom ribs. Bbl makers initials “S.S” (Sam Simons) are on each set of bbls. Beesley patent self-opening action features hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), and gold arrow tumbler end cocking indicators. All metal parts are blued, and feature exceptionally well detailed and finely shaded high raised relief open acanthus scroll with floral highlights as background to exceptional renditions of game birds and small mammals, including a pair of ducks on fences, large ruffed grouse on left lockplate, and snipe on right. Bottom of action has a scene of trio of incoming red grouse. A scampering rabbit is within oval on trigger guard, and a squirrel looking back over his shoulder resides on top lever. The head of a grouse peers through background of grass on forend tip. Safety button is emblazoned with classic full relief Satyr’s mask. This exceptionally fine work is in the style of the noted French engraver, Barre. Nicely marbled and lightly figured European walnut Prince of Wales* grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over checkered wood butt with scroll engraved heel and toe plates. Stocks also feature approx. 22 LPI point pattern semi flat top checkering with mullered borders. Gold oval engraved “W. P. I.” is on toe line. Splinter forend has Anson release with SN and actioner’s initials “J.T” (Joe Thompson) on iron. Factory records indicate that this gun was completed in 1907 for a Mr. Fowler, with gold inlaid name in old English letters, and gold SN, also with full pistol grip with metal cap, and gold inlaid letters on cap. This is the standard configuration of what is known as a “funeral model”, being devoid of any engraving. At this time this gun has no gold inlay except for “Safe”. Purdey records do not indicate that it was returned to factory, however V L & D records indicate that the gun was returned to Purdey’s for “refinishing” which included installing new ribs on bbls, and re-stocking. Apparently this refinishing also included the high relief engraving on the gun, as copy of Purdey ledger indicates “all work chased, scrolls, birds, squirrels”. This is the last entry on ledger page which indicates that this work was probably performed at a date later than the original making. Open choke bbls: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.010, right -.010. Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.034. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. Tightly choked bbls: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.043, right -.025. Wall thickness: left -.031, right -.026. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. Makers oak and leather case with brass corners, has round central medallion on lid. Leather is embossed with the initials “W. P. I.” Interior is lined with maroon cloth, with Purdey paper label on lid and charge card for this particular gun. Case contains a couple of cleaning brushes. PROVENANCE: Walker Inman Trust. Purdey factory letter with specifications of gun and Griffin & Howe historians letter outlining history of gun, indicating that it was returned to factory for “H. G. Jr” (Henry Graves, Jr), and sold to W P Inman in 1936. CONDITION: Excellent, as factory finished. Both sets of bbls retain virtually all of their lustrous black. Action, lockplates, trigger guard and top lever retain 90% of their charcoal blue, pleasingly silvered on action beads, fences, and thumbpiece. Safety button has silvered to about 60%. Heel and toe plates are mostly silver. Stocks retain most of their orig slackum finish with a number of minor marks and scratches. There is an incipient crack about 3/16″ long behind point of top tang. Checkering is good, slightly dirty. Action is 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, but with evidence of considerable water damage. Interior cloth has severe insect damage, and certainly needs re-lining. Labels are fine. Charge card has a tear. Partitions are tight, but locating blocks are loose. An extremely unusual exhibition quality gun. 4-41253 MGM2 (30,000-45,000) 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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