JAMES PURDEY SELF OPENING SIDE LOCK PIGEON GUN (NO SAFETY) WITH EXTRA BARRELS AND CASE.

JAMES PURDEY SELF OPENING SIDE LOCK PIGEON GUN (NO SAFETY) WITH EXTRA BARRELS AND CASE. SN 16047. (Ca. 1897) Cal. 12 Ga. 3″ Chambers. Two sets of 30″ Chopper lump bbls are both engraved “J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London.”, and “Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid – Pressed Steel” on raised flat plain top rib. Bbl flats show London nitro proofs for 1-3/4 oz of shot, and long chambers, as is common in pigeon guns of this period. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN, choke, and barrel makers initials “WH” (William Hill). Barrel set no. 1 has tube numbers “20499” and “20500” on loop. Barrel set no. 2 has tube numbers “20501” and “20502”. Rear lumps are also stamped “1” and “2”, respectively. Beesley patent self opening action has no safety, double triggers with articulated front, hidden third fastener, side clips, and bushed strikers. Action is engraved with very finely executed Purdey house style rose and scroll, probably the work of J. Lucas, head engraver. “J. Purdey & Sons” is engraved on both lock plates, and “Purdey’s Patent” is engraved on bottom of action; “Patent” is on top lever. Trigger guard has typical scroll engraving with SN on tang. Beautifully flame figured and mottled Circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15-1/16″ over leather covered pad and features 20 LPI checkering with mullered borders, drop points and silver oval engraved “R. W. Houghton, Milwaukee”. Matching splinter forend is fully checkered except on top edge, with Anson release. Barrel set “1”: Bore diameter: left -.734, right -.735. Bore restrictions: left -.034, right -.020. Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.031. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-1/4″. Weight: 7 lbs. 15.7 oz, LOP 15-1/16″. Barrel set no. “2”: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.733. Bore restrictions: left -.035, right -.034. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.031. Weight: 8 lbs. 0 oz. New leather case with salmon colored canvas outer cover has stitched leather corners. Interior is lined in maroon cloth with Purdey leather label and paper label with particulars of this gun. Accessories include 2-pc wooden cleaning rod, oil bottle, Purdey marked snap caps, leather wallet containing cleaning brushes, leather covered hand guard, leather straps for case, and key. PROVENANCE: Copies of partial piece of factory letter giving history of this gun and clipping from NY Times Dec. 2, 1900 mentioning R. W. Houghton. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain virtually all of a professional re-black. Engraving is slightly washed. Bores are excellent. Action retains about 70% of its case color, silvering on beads, bottom, and fences. Lock plates retain approx 90% of their case color. Trigger guard and top lever retain virtually all their re-blue. Top lever screw shows some use and polishing, with engraving washed. Stocks retain virtually all of professional oil refinish. Checkering is slightly worn, borders are thin. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Case and accessories are as new. 4-38323 MGM48 (27,500-37,500)

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
	1177	$25,875.00	JAMES PURDEY SELF OPENING SIDE LOCK PIGEON GUN (NO SAFETY) WITH EXTRA BARRELS AND CASE. SN 16047. (Ca. 1897) Cal. 12 Ga. 3″ Chambers. Two sets of 30″ Chopper lump bbls are both engraved “J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London.”, and “Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid – Pressed Steel” on raised flat plain top rib. Bbl flats show London nitro proofs for 1-3/4 oz of shot, and long chambers, as is common in pigeon guns of this period. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN, choke, and barrel makers initials “WH” (William Hill). Barrel set no. 1 has tube numbers “20499” and “20500” on loop. Barrel set no. 2 has tube numbers “20501” and “20502”. Rear lumps are also stamped “1” and “2”, respectively. Beesley patent self opening action has no safety, double triggers with articulated front, hidden third fastener, side clips, and bushed strikers. Action is engraved with very finely executed Purdey house style rose and scroll, probably the work of J. Lucas, head engraver. “J. Purdey & Sons” is engraved on both lock plates, and “Purdey’s Patent” is engraved on bottom of action; “Patent” is on top lever. Trigger guard has typical scroll engraving with SN on tang. Beautifully flame figured and mottled Circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15-1/16″ over leather covered pad and features 20 LPI checkering with mullered borders, drop points and silver oval engraved “R. W. Houghton, Milwaukee”. Matching splinter forend is fully checkered except on top edge, with Anson release. Barrel set “1”: Bore diameter: left -.734, right -.735. Bore restrictions: left -.034, right -.020. Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.031. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-1/4″. Weight: 7 lbs. 15.7 oz, LOP 15-1/16″. Barrel set no. “2”: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.733. Bore restrictions: left -.035, right -.034. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.031. Weight: 8 lbs. 0 oz. New leather case with salmon colored canvas outer cover has stitched leather corners. Interior is lined in maroon cloth with Purdey leather label and paper label with particulars of this gun. Accessories include 2-pc wooden cleaning rod, oil bottle, Purdey marked snap caps, leather wallet containing cleaning brushes, leather covered hand guard, leather straps for case, and key. PROVENANCE: Copies of partial piece of factory letter giving history of this gun and clipping from NY Times Dec. 2, 1900 mentioning R. W. Houghton. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain virtually all of a professional re-black. Engraving is slightly washed. Bores are excellent. Action retains about 70% of its case color, silvering on beads, bottom, and fences. Lock plates retain approx 90% of their case color. Trigger guard and top lever retain virtually all their re-blue. Top lever screw shows some use and polishing, with engraving washed. Stocks retain virtually all of professional oil refinish. Checkering is slightly worn, borders are thin. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Case and accessories are as new. 4-38323 MGM48 (27,500-37,500) 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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