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*VERY FINE PETITE 20 GAUGE JAMES PURDEY GAME GUN ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID BY KEN HUNT WITH CASE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
*VERY FINE PETITE 20 GAUGE JAMES PURDEY GAME GUN ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID BY KEN HUNT WITH CASE.
SN 27388. (1966) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 26" Chopper lump bbls with flat, narrow, matted rib, are engraved "J. Purdey & Sons." and "AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. ENGLAND." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN. Bottom right bbl is stamped with initials "G.W." (George Wood, barrel maker). Tube nos. "68621" and "68622" are on loop. Small, case hardened, Beesley patent, self-opening action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action is engraved with very well cut and nicely laid out, large, semi-relief, open, shaded scroll with acanthus and strap work highlights. A well detailed gold inlaid cocker spaniel retrieving a quail bounds across bottom of action. This very fine scroll spills over onto lockplates, which also have scenes of game birds gold inlaid in appropriate field backgrounds; trio of doves is on left lockplate; and quail on right. All of this fine work is by highly regarded master engraver, Ken Hunt, whose signature appears under scenes on both lockplates. His initials are under spaniel on bottom of action. "J. Purdey & Sons" is on each side of action above lockplates. Fences are engraved with somewhat deeper relief scroll. Blued top lever and trigger guard are engraved with scroll matching action. Trigger guard tang is engraved with SN and extends to grip cap. Well figured, and finely marbled European walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13" over checkered wood butt, and features drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, hard rubber grip cap, and vacant gold oval on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Actioners initials "T.B" are stamped on iron. Bore diameter: left-.614, right -.614. Bore restrictions: left -.004 (IC), right -.002 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.036. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 13". Makers motor case with stitched leather corners is embossed "Mrs C. L. Fitzgerald Greenwich, Conn." on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth with makers label on lid. Case contains a 2-pc walnut and brass cleaning rod. CONDITION: Excellent, near new. Bbls retain 95 - 98% orig blue with a few minor marks and light scratches. Action retains 90% + orig case hardening color, silvered on beads and tips of fences. Lockplates retain nearly all of their color. Top lever, forend iron, and trigger guard are only slightly silvered. Hinge pin and tumbler ends retain nearly all of their fire blue. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig rubbed oil finish, with a few light marks from occasional field use. There is a somewhat deeper small dent on forend behind tip. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout with no visible imperfections. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is excellent with some light scuffs and one or two deeper scratches. Straps and handle are very fine. Interior cloth is excellent, with a few rubs. A finely built and finished gun, light and lively. Perfect for someone of small stature, or for almost anyone, with the addition of a pad. 4-48684 MGM40