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J. PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR SHOTGUN TWO BARREL SET WITH CASE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 23,000.00 USD
J. PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR SHOTGUN TWO BARREL SET WITH CASE.
SN 15775. (1897) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 26" and 28" Chopper lump bbls. Both sets of bbls with narrow, concave game ribs, engraved "1" and "2" on rear of ribs, are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons. Audley House, South Audley Street, London. Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Pressed Steel." on ribs. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 1-1/8 oz of shot and 1983 London re-proofs for 2-3/4" chambers at .740. Bbl set no. "1" is proofed at .729. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and choke, along with bbl makers initials HM (unknown). Tube numbers 18700 and 18701 are on loop. Bottoms of bbl set no. "2" are stamped with SN and no. "16005" (factory records indicate that these bbls were fitted to this gun in 1983 and that the original 30" bbls (set no. "1") were shortened, altered to skeet and skeet, and re-proofed for 2-3/4" cartridges). Bbl set no. "2" is also stamped with bbl makers initials WH (Bill Hill). Case hardened Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, arrowhead marked tumbler end cocking indicators, double triggers, and early style Purdey ejector. Action is engraved with Purdey house style well cut small scroll with rose bouquet highlights as originated by, and probably in this case executed by, J. Lucas, head Purdey engraver. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each lockplate. "Purdey's Patent" is on bottom of action. "1" is engraved on top lever and interior of forend iron, which is also stamped with actioners initials "AP" (A. Phillips, long time Purdey actioner). Very finely marbled red hued European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-7/8" over dark brown leather covered pad, and features drop points, standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a vacant gold oval along with individual initials "L A L" on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. BBL set no. "1" 26": Bore diameter: left -.735, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.004 recess, right -.003 recess. Wall thickness: left -.023, right -.024. Drop at heel: 2-5/16", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz, LOP 14-7/8". BBL set no. "2" 28": Bore diameter: left -.744, right -.738. Bore restrictions: left -.010, right -.004. Wall thickness: left -.020 (one very small area on bottom about 9" back from muzzle), right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz, LOP 14-7/8". High quality leather toe under case with stitched leather corners, is lined with burgundy cloth with gold embossed black leather makers label in lid, has provisions for both set of bbls, and contains normal Purdey marked accessories including 2-pc black composition and brass cleaning rod, round oil bottle, and snap caps. There is also a black Morocco wallet containing a jag and mop, as well as a broken case extractor. PROVENANCE: Factory letter indicating that gun was built in 1897 for Sidney Dillon Ripley, and that orig bbls were shortened and that pair of bbls from gun 16605 were let into gun. Both bbls were re-proofed to 2-3/4" in 1983. Chokes of 28" bbls were altered to right modified and left full. Also 2 invoices for work performed by Trevallion Gun Stocks totaling over $5000.00 in 2002/03, along with shop tag. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refurbished. Bbls retain nearly all of a lustrous quality London re-black, engraving on ribs somewhat softened. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color in protected areas. Lockplates retain about half of their orig color, somewhat stronger on left plate. Pins have been fire blued, and retain most of that renewed finish. Top lever and trigger guard retain most of their charcoal re-blue, engraving still good, both somewhat silvered at normal carry and use points. Buttstock retains nearly all of a fine oil refinish, checkering nicely re-cut. Newly made (by David Trevallion) forend wood retains all its orig finish with a few minor marks. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. New drop installed, and is excellent. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is excellent with a few very minor marks and scuffs, mostly on corners.††Straps and handle are fine. Interior cloth is excellent with some minor compressions and soiling from contact with gun. Accessories are excellent. 4-46522 MGM77