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LOT 500
Exceptional Pair of Alison Hunt Game Scene Engraved J. Purdey
& Sons Sidelock Over/Under Shotguns with Cases -A) J. Purdey &
Sons Shotgun - Serial no. 28434, 12 gauge, 28 inch vent rib bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. J. Purdey & Sons is a standout among
the best gunmakers in the world and could easily be argued as the finest
with their guns having found their place in nearly all of the top fine arms
collections in the world. A pair of Purdeys is at the pinnacle of fine arms
collecting with this pair a being a wonderful example of their work that
would be at home in any collection. Both of the guns in the pair are built
with blued steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on the matted flat
solid rib which is marked with a gold “1” or “2” near the base, “J. PURDEY &
SONS AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET LONDON ENGLAND.” signed
on the left side of the upper tube, 1982 dated London proofs, Teague thin
walled chokes (none installed or included) marked “tube”, and 2 3/4 inch
chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels of each gun are mated to a
highly attractive casehardened sidelock action with near full coverage scroll
engraving surrounding “J. PURDEY & SONS” signatures on either lockplate,
“J/PURDEY & SONS” on the underside, and seven circular game bird scenes
before spilling off of the action onto the triggerguard, both tangs, and the
toplever which is marked with a gold “1” or “2”. The game scenes consist of
three individual ducks in flight on the left, a pheasant cock, grouse, and a
pigeon on the right all in flight, and a dove in flight on the underside for gun
“1” and three water foul on the left, a quail, grouse, and wood cock on the
right, and a matching dove on the underside for gun “2”. Each gun is signed
three times, on the bottom of the game scene and the rear of the scenes on
each side “A. L. Hunt” for Purdey engraver and daughter of Master Engraver
Ken Hunt. The guns feature cocking indicators on either lockplate, a single
gold trigger, right hand rolled triggerguard, and a tang mounted automatic
safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” indicator. The guns are both mounted with a
beautifully figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings
and Anson button release featuring a gold “1” or “2” as well as a pistol grip
stock with teardrop carved drop points, horn grip cap, gold inscription oval
marked “S.R.M”, and blued steel engraved heel and toe plates around the
checkered bare butt.
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