2011

WELL MAINTAINED JAMES PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
WELL MAINTAINED JAMES PURDEY SIDELOCK EJECTOR
DOUBLE TRIGGER SELF-OPENING GAME GUN WITH TWO SETS OF BARRELS AND CASE. Cal. 12 Ga., 2 3/4". S# 15775. Two chopper lump barrel sets; one 26", the other 28", both with narrow game ribs engraved "James Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street London. Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Pressed Steel". 26" Barrel set is also engraved "1" on rib, 28" set engraved "2". Barrel flats are stamped with original London nitro proofs for 1 1/8 oz. shot, and 1983 London re-proofs for 2 3/4" chambers. Factory letter indicates that barrel work was done by Purdeys in 1983 with the 26" barrel set being shortened and "skeet" bored. The letter further states that the original owner also owned Purdey gun number "16605" and those 28" barrels were let into this gun. The barrels were also re-proofed for 2 3/4" and chokes altered to modified and full. Both barrel sets have barrel makers initials "WH" (Bill Hill) and 28" barrels have remnants of serial number "16605". 26" Barrels are stamped with tube numbers "18700" and "18701" on loop. It appears that the loop was replaced with the refitting of the 28" barrels and no loop numbers are present. Case hardened Beesley patent self opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE engraved in gold), bushed strikers, engraved arrow tumbler end cocking indicators and double triggers. Action is engraved with typical Purdey house style rose and scroll, well cut, most likely executed by J. Lucas, head engraver. Gun is number "1" of a pair with "1" engraved on top lever, stamped on action, and also engraved on forend iron. Iron is also stamped with actioners initials "AP" (A. Phillips). Very nicely marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 3/4" over black leather covered pad. Stock features usual drop points, point pattern checkering at wrist, and a vacant gold oval on toe line along with individually inlet gold letters "LAL". Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameters: 26" bbls: left - .737, right - .736. Bore restrictions: left - .003 (skeet), right - .002 (Skeet). Minimum wall thickness: left - .023, right - .025. 28" Bbls: left - .742, right - .736. Bore restriction: left - .012 (mod), right - .005 (mod). Minimum wall thickness: left - .022, right - .022. DAH: 2 5/16". DAC: 1 9/16", cast is approx. 1/2" off. WEIGHT: 6 lbs. 11 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: factory letter. Gun is housed in good quality russet leather VC case with stitched leather corners, lined in burgundy cloth. A black leather gold embossed Purdey label is in lid. Case contains Purdey marked 2 piece brass and ebonite cleaning rod, oil bottle, and two snap caps. Mop, jag, and broken case extractor are in black morocco wallet. CONDITION: fine, as partially refinished. Both barrel sets retain nearly all of a London reblack. Action retains approx. 10% original case hardening color where protected. Lockplates retain most of their color, left lock approaching 75%. Stock has had some expert repairs as outlined in Trevallion Gunstocks invoice, and is very nicely refinished. Checkering competently recut. Newer forend by Trevallion is excellent with a few scratches and handling marks. Bores are very fine, shiny throughout. Action is tight. Drop is good. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are in time. Near new case has a few scuffs in exterior leather and some minor compressions on label and on interior cloth. Accessories are near new. A versatile good handling London "Best". (20-333/MGM42). ANTIQUE. $12,000-18,000.