*EXCEPTIONALLY FINE 28 GAUGE ROUND ACTION PURDEY GAME GUN WITH CASE (THE SNOW LEOPARD).

*EXCEPTIONALLY FINE 28 GAUGE ROUND ACTION PURDEY GAME GUN WITH CASE (THE SNOW LEOPARD). SN 28669. (1982) Cal. 28 Ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This lovely little gun, the subject of an article in “The Double Gun Journal” Vol. 12 Issue 4, has 26″ chopper lump bbls, with raised, narrow, flat, matted rib, reminiscent of a Churchill rib, Bbls are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons.” “Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England.” on tops. Bbl flats show 1982 London nitro proofs, and are stamped “3-1/4 tons” and “2-3/4″ Mag.” Bottoms of bbls have SNs. Tube numbers 75937 and 75938 are on loop. Bbl makers initials “ML” (Michael Louca) are on bottom of left bbl. Round bar Beesley self-opening action is nicely proportioned and features automatic safety (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), double triggers, bushed strikers, and raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators. Action and lockplates are very finely engraved with Purdey house style rose bouquet and scroll. “J. Purdey & Sons London England” is engraved on bottom of action. “J. Purdey & Sons” is on both lockplates. Trigger guard is scroll engraved with SN on tang. Fancy, dark, intricately marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15-3/4″ over 9/16″ thick checkered ebony buttplate. Stock features typical Purdey drop points and 22 LPI point pattern checkering with mullered borders. Toe line has inlaid gold oval with monogram “JVW”. Matching Purdey full splinter forend has Anson release. Initials “I.J” (Actioner, Ian Jeffs) are on the iron. Bore diameter: left -.551, right -.553. Bore restrictions: left -.030, right -.003. Drop at heel: 2-1/4″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 5 lbs. 9.9 oz, LOP 15-3/4″. Makers toe under leather case with stitched leather corners has canvas outer cover with leather trim. Interior is lined in maroon cloth with leather Purdey label, and paper label with particulars of this gun. Accessories include 2-pc hardwood cleaning rod, leather wallet with brushes, striker bottle containing keys, “James Purdey & Sons” marked snap caps and oil bottle. PROVENANCE: Copy of “Double Gun Journal” volume 12 issue 4 with article entitled “Snow Leopard” detailing the story of the gun’s origin, details of its building, and subsequent history. p. 85-95 CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 80% original black, silvering at muzzles and around forend, from use and handling. Action retains 90% original case color, silvering slightly on fences with considerable silvering on lower right side of action, and thinning a bit through bottom of action. Lockplates retain virtually all of their case color and varnish. Trigger guard is silvering on edges of bow, with tang heavily silvered at grip area; tip retains some blue. Top lever with original blue is silvering slightly at thumbpiece. Bottom left side of forend iron is silvered. Head of hinge pin has traces of its fire blue. Stocks show most all of their original finish, with a few minor marks from handling and use. Checkering is very slightly worn. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Bores are excellent. Case leather is excellent with a few minor knock marks and stains. Canvas is slightly dirty. Interior cloth is excellent, as are labels and accessories. This dainty little gun was dubbed “The Snow Leopard” by the wife of the second owner, because it was “beautiful, deadly, and rare.” 4-39038 MGM152 (80,000-100,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

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
	1171	$0.00	EXCEPTIONALLY FINE 28 GAUGE ROUND ACTION PURDEY GAME GUN WITH CASE (THE SNOW LEOPARD). SN 28669. (1982) Cal. 28 Ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This lovely little gun, the subject of an article in “The Double Gun Journal” Vol. 12 Issue 4, has 26″ chopper lump bbls, with raised, narrow, flat, matted rib, reminiscent of a Churchill rib, Bbls are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons.” “Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England.” on tops. Bbl flats show 1982 London nitro proofs, and are stamped “3-1/4 tons” and “2-3/4″ Mag.” Bottoms of bbls have SNs. Tube numbers 75937 and 75938 are on loop. Bbl makers initials “ML” (Michael Louca) are on bottom of left bbl. Round bar Beesley self-opening action is nicely proportioned and features automatic safety (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), double triggers, bushed strikers, and raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators. Action and lockplates are very finely engraved with Purdey house style rose bouquet and scroll. “J. Purdey & Sons London England” is engraved on bottom of action. “J. Purdey & Sons” is on both lockplates. Trigger guard is scroll engraved with SN on tang. Fancy, dark, intricately marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15-3/4″ over 9/16″ thick checkered ebony buttplate. Stock features typical Purdey drop points and 22 LPI point pattern checkering with mullered borders. Toe line has inlaid gold oval with monogram “JVW”. Matching Purdey full splinter forend has Anson release. Initials “I.J” (Actioner, Ian Jeffs) are on the iron. Bore diameter: left -.551, right -.553. Bore restrictions: left -.030, right -.003. Drop at heel: 2-1/4″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 5 lbs. 9.9 oz, LOP 15-3/4″. Makers toe under leather case with stitched leather corners has canvas outer cover with leather trim. Interior is lined in maroon cloth with leather Purdey label, and paper label with particulars of this gun. Accessories include 2-pc hardwood cleaning rod, leather wallet with brushes, striker bottle containing keys, “James Purdey & Sons” marked snap caps and oil bottle. PROVENANCE: Copy of “Double Gun Journal” volume 12 issue 4 with article entitled “Snow Leopard” detailing the story of the gun’s origin, details of its building, and subsequent history. p. 85-95 CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 80% original black, silvering at muzzles and around forend, from use and handling. Action retains 90% original case color, silvering slightly on fences with considerable silvering on lower right side of action, and thinning a bit through bottom of action. Lockplates retain virtually all of their case color and varnish. Trigger guard is silvering on edges of bow, with tang heavily silvered at grip area; tip retains some blue. Top lever with original blue is silvering slightly at thumbpiece. Bottom left side of forend iron is silvered. Head of hinge pin has traces of its fire blue. Stocks show most all of their original finish, with a few minor marks from handling and use. Checkering is very slightly worn. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Bores are excellent. Case leather is excellent with a few minor knock marks and stains. Canvas is slightly dirty. Interior cloth is excellent, as are labels and accessories. This dainty little gun was dubbed “The Snow Leopard” by the wife of the second owner, because it was “beautiful, deadly, and rare.” 4-39038 MGM152 (80,000-100,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 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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