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*EXCEPTIONAL EXHIBITION QUALITY JAMES PURDEY OVER-UNDER GAME GUN WITH SUBLIME RELIEF ENGRAVING AND G

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:40,000.00 USD Estimated At:80,000.00 - 120,000.00 USD
*EXCEPTIONAL EXHIBITION QUALITY JAMES PURDEY OVER-UNDER GAME GUN WITH SUBLIME RELIEF ENGRAVING AND G
SN 28865. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 28" Demi-bloc bbls fitted with low, narrow, file cut, ventilated rib, are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons. Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England." on right side of top bbl above proofs. Breech area of bottom bbl is stamped with 1986 London proofs for 2-3/4" chambers, bottom of bottom bbl with "WB" (barrel makers initials), SN, and tube no. "71593". Coin finished Woodward style low profile OU action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and Purdey non-selective single trigger. Action is engraved with truly exceptional scrolled acanthus with floral highlights in full relief, with fine shaded background. The quality of this work is beyond compare with every nuance of leaf and vine painstakingly cut and Bulino shaded. This wonderful scroll work frames portrait of trio of high relief gold inlaid woodcock flitting through trees on bottom of action. Scroll extends onto lockplates, leading into vignettes of gold relief game birds in exquisitely detailed engraved settings. A quattro of pintails are settling into cattail marsh with woodlands in background on left lockplate; and a quattro of ruffed grouse explode out of alder cover into opening with cabin in distance behind fence post and rail, on right lockplate. Each vignette has bulino shading of sky, giving dramatic effect. Additionally, two hidden woodland creatures await your discovery. Fences, top lever, top tang, and single beaded trigger guard continue with the exceptional relief scroll. SN is in gold at grip. A pair of pigeons, one flying, the other perched on a tendril of scroll, are on trigger guard bow. "J. Purdey & Sons" is gold inlaid on a scroll on each side of action. This incredible work is by noted master engraver, Ken Hunt, at his finest. His signature appears on lockplates at bottom of each scene. Wonderfully marbled, stump figured European walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt, with typical Purdey drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, ebony grip cap, and vacant gold oval on toe line. Matching one piece full forend has Anson release. Actioners initials "PD" (Peter Delay) are on inside on iron. Bore diameter: top -.729, bottom -.730. Bore restrictions: top -.040 (Extra Full), bottom -.028 (Full). Wall thickness: top-.031, bottom -.031. Drop at heel: 1-5/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 7 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Superlative oak and black ostrich leather case is lined in olive green velvet, with James Purdey gold embossed black leather label on lid. Case is fitted for gun and French fitted for a wonderful array of spectacular ivory handled and accented fittings and accessories. These include 3-pc ebony and German silver cleaning rod by Marsh (mop, jag, and brush are in black morocco wallet in covered compartment with lid with ivory knob). Cleaning brush, pair of turnscrews, chamber brush, and handle of cleaning rod are of solid ivory. Snap caps have ivory bodies. Striker bottle with spare strikers, oil bottle, vaseline jar, and another bottle have inset round ivory tops. Most accessories are by Casecraft, and the entire garniture exudes elegance. PROVENANCE: Factory letter giving specifications. CONDITION: Excellent, appears unfired. Bbls retain nearly all of their orig blue with slight thinning and silvering on high points, and a few minor marks. Action retains nearly all of its coin finish with any silvering only heightening depth of engraving. Stocks have only a few marks in their orig finish, most notably a small nick on center left side of buttstock. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Mechanically crisp. Case leather is excellent, with one or two barely noticeable marks. Handle and straps are very fine. Locking loops of latch are detached from top portion. Interior velvet shows only a few compressions from contact with gun and accessories. Accessories are excellent. Large turnscrew has a small crack in ivory running from ferrule into hand piece. There is a slight check in the ivory body of one snap cap. All other ivory is excellent. An immortal creation. 4-47797 MGM42