*FANTASTIC CASED PAIR OF PURDEY DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS MADE FOR THE KING OF ROMANIA.

*FANTASTIC CASED PAIR OF PURDEY DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS MADE FOR THE KING OF ROMANIA. Cal. 20 ga. SN 25123 & 25124. These shotguns were made on order for King Michael I of Romania who was born in 1921 and at about the age of 15 ordered this pair of shotguns. In 1947, after the Communist takeover, he was forced to abdicate his throne and for many years lived in exile in Switzerland. Recently however, in 2001, the Romanian Parliament reinstated King Michael the same rights as other former heads of state and has returned some of his previous holdings including the Elizabeth Palace plus Savarsin Castle in Western Romania. He now spends a few months each year in Romania but prefers his adopted home of Switzerland. He is much loved in Romania and still has hopes, along with his wife, Queen Anne and five daughters for the restoration of the monarchy. Most of this information is contained in a 4-page article which appeared in The New York Times Jan. 27, 2007 under the by-line of Craig S. Smith. Made virtually identical with 28” bbls choked FULL/FULL with smooth, tapered, concave ribs, sgl beads, ejectors, third fasteners, dbl chopper lumps & dbl triggers. Ribs are marked in gold with “1” and “2” respectively. They are also inlaid in gold “CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, a.s., Brno.” They are mounted with nearly identical, best quality French walnut with checkered splinter forearms and straight hand stocks with raised teardrop side panels, 14-1/2” over leather covered pads. They each have a gold oval on the bottom with a crest. The opening levers are made to open left handed. Receivers & lockplates are spectacularly deep engraved by Harry Kell with beautiful foliate arabesque patterns with stippled background. The thumb lever bosses are inlaid with gold “CZ” with several circles and the levers have “1” and “2” in gold respectively. Top tangs have “SAFE” in gold. Locks have raised line cocked indicators with blued screws. The fences have side clips with deep relief, oak leaf & acorn patterns and receivers have assisted opening. The bottom of bbls are marked under the right side “MADE SPECIALLY FOR CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA. A.S. BRNO” and under the left side “BY J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. ENGLAND.” The bbl flats have proofmarks for one ounce with 2-3/4” chambers. Both shotguns are marked on the stock by the left toe with a light stamp in a circle “6 / VI”. Accompanied by their orig, burgundy felt lined, oak & leather casing, compartmented in bottom for both shotguns, a brass & ebony cleaning rod with handle and spaces for four snap caps, a small parts bottle, a square oil bottle and other open compartments. It has the maker’s leather label in the lid along with a charge card. Also accompanied by copies of a letter from Purdey detailing the information regarding the craftsman who fabricated this beautiful pair of shotguns and a copy of the orig dimension book entry for them. GUN NO. 1: Bore diameter: left – .618, right – .617. Bore restrictions: left – .029, right – .024. Wall thickness: left – .031, right – .034. Drop at heel: 1-7/8”, drop at comb: 1-3/8”. Weight: 5 lbs. 14.4 oz. GUN No. 2: Bore diameter: left – .617, right – .617. Bore restrictions: left – .030, right – .024. Wall thickness: left – .033, right – .036. Drop at heel: 1-7/8”, drop at comb: 1-3/8”. Weight: 5 lbs. 14.4 oz. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Both shotguns are virtually identical in condition, retaining 97-98% strong orig bright factory blue on bbls and most of their subtle orig case colors, somewhat faded and thinned on bottom. Stocks are sound having been lightly cleaned but not refinished. Forearms are slightly darker in color and have not been cleaned. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bores. Case is fine with a few nicks & dings on the lid and has been resurfaced on top. Straps are replacements. Interior is fine with light soil. 4-30782 JR443 (125,000-225,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

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
	1315	$115,000.00	FANTASTIC CASED PAIR OF PURDEY DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS MADE FOR THE KING OF ROMANIA. Cal. 20 ga. SN 25123 & 25124. These shotguns were made on order for King Michael I of Romania who was born in 1921 and at about the age of 15 ordered this pair of shotguns. In 1947, after the Communist takeover, he was forced to abdicate his throne and for many years lived in exile in Switzerland. Recently however, in 2001, the Romanian Parliament reinstated King Michael the same rights as other former heads of state and has returned some of his previous holdings including the Elizabeth Palace plus Savarsin Castle in Western Romania. He now spends a few months each year in Romania but prefers his adopted home of Switzerland. He is much loved in Romania and still has hopes, along with his wife, Queen Anne and five daughters for the restoration of the monarchy. Most of this information is contained in a 4-page article which appeared in The New York Times Jan. 27, 2007 under the by-line of Craig S. Smith. Made virtually identical with 28” bbls choked FULL/FULL with smooth, tapered, concave ribs, sgl beads, ejectors, third fasteners, dbl chopper lumps & dbl triggers. Ribs are marked in gold with “1” and “2” respectively. They are also inlaid in gold “CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, a.s., Brno.” They are mounted with nearly identical, best quality French walnut with checkered splinter forearms and straight hand stocks with raised teardrop side panels, 14-1/2” over leather covered pads. They each have a gold oval on the bottom with a crest. The opening levers are made to open left handed. Receivers & lockplates are spectacularly deep engraved by Harry Kell with beautiful foliate arabesque patterns with stippled background. The thumb lever bosses are inlaid with gold “CZ” with several circles and the levers have “1” and “2” in gold respectively. Top tangs have “SAFE” in gold. Locks have raised line cocked indicators with blued screws. The fences have side clips with deep relief, oak leaf & acorn patterns and receivers have assisted opening. The bottom of bbls are marked under the right side “MADE SPECIALLY FOR CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA. A.S. BRNO” and under the left side “BY J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. ENGLAND.” The bbl flats have proofmarks for one ounce with 2-3/4” chambers. Both shotguns are marked on the stock by the left toe with a light stamp in a circle “6 / VI”. Accompanied by their orig, burgundy felt lined, oak & leather casing, compartmented in bottom for both shotguns, a brass & ebony cleaning rod with handle and spaces for four snap caps, a small parts bottle, a square oil bottle and other open compartments. It has the maker’s leather label in the lid along with a charge card. Also accompanied by copies of a letter from Purdey detailing the information regarding the craftsman who fabricated this beautiful pair of shotguns and a copy of the orig dimension book entry for them. GUN NO. 1: Bore diameter: left – .618, right – .617. Bore restrictions: left – .029, right – .024. Wall thickness: left – .031, right – .034. Drop at heel: 1-7/8”, drop at comb: 1-3/8”. Weight: 5 lbs. 14.4 oz. GUN No. 2: Bore diameter: left – .617, right – .617. Bore restrictions: left – .030, right – .024. Wall thickness: left – .033, right – .036. Drop at heel: 1-7/8”, drop at comb: 1-3/8”. Weight: 5 lbs. 14.4 oz. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Both shotguns are virtually identical in condition, retaining 97-98% strong orig bright factory blue on bbls and most of their subtle orig case colors, somewhat faded and thinned on bottom. Stocks are sound having been lightly cleaned but not refinished. Forearms are slightly darker in color and have not been cleaned. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bores. Case is fine with a few nicks & dings on the lid and has been resurfaced on top. Straps are replacements. Interior is fine with light soil. 4-30782 JR443 (125,000-225,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 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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