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LOT 3505
Factory Engraved J. Purdey & Sons Self-Opening
Sidelock Double Barrel Shotgun Two Barrel Set
with Case - Serial no. 27430, 12 gauge, 28 inch solid
rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Completed circa 1966 according to page 195 of
Donald Dallas’ “Purdey Gun and Rifle Makers: The
Definitive History”. James Purdey & Sons has long
been one of the world’s premier makers of fine
arms building only guns and rifles of the highest
quality. Built with blued steel chopperlump barrels
featuring a single bead sight on the raised matted flat
tapered solid rib, “J. PURDEY & SONS.” and “AUDLEY
HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. ENGLAND.”
engraved on the left and right tubes respectively, a single band of engraving at the breech, import
mark under the forend, period London nitro proof marks on the flats, import mark under forend, and 2 3/4 inch chambers
with Purdey’s Wem ejectors. The chokes are marked “60%” and “75%” on the right and left of the rear lump
respectively. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened Beesley patent
self-opening sidelock action which displays near full coverage classic
Purdey bouquet and scroll engraving surrounding “J. PURDEY & SONS.”
signatures on either lockplate and “J. PURDEY & SONS/LONDON/
ENGLAND” on the underside. The gun features bushed firing
pins, a Purdey’s gate single trigger, ribbed cocking
indicators on either lockplate, gilded lock work,
and a tang mounted manual safety with gold inlaid
“SAFE” indicator. The gun is fitted with a beautifully
figured and multi-point checkered beavertail
forend with engraved blued iron and Anson button
release as well as a straight hand stock featuring
teardrop carved drop points, gold “KAW” inlaid
directly into the stock, and a Silver’s type rubber
recoil pad. Includes a second matching numbered
12 gauge barrel set measuring 26 1/2 inches. Also
included is a maker’s leather motor case with
canvas cover and factory data sheet on interior
lid containing a pair of turnscrews, cleaning tools, and a spare set of
strikers. Barrel measurements for the 26 1/2 inch set (R/L): bore diameter
nine inches from the breech both proofed at .729 inches and measured
.731 inches; choke constriction.007/.021 inches; minimum wall thickness
.037/.036 inches. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches
from the breech both proofed at .729 inches and measured .734/.731 inches; choke constriction
.014/.041 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.032 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 3/8 inch drop at heel; 14 7/16 inch length of pull; cast-on; weight 7 lbs. 1 oz.
CONDITION: Very good overall, retaining 90% original blue finish with some brown hue on the barrels, 80% original dark case colors, some minor scattered spotting, mild handling
evidence, some clouding in the wood finish, slightly oversized recoil pad, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
The case is fine and the extra barrel set is very good.
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000