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finish, walnut stock. The makers have kindly confirmed that this fine pigeon gun was completed on July 30, 1909, for Guinard (a Parisian dealer who acted as agents for some British manufacturers) for a Mr. Quirino. It is recorded as a “bar in iron” hammer pigeon gun chambered for 2 3/4 inch cartridges with 30 inch Whitworth steel barrels and low profile hammers. With blued chopperlump barrels with matted concave rib with bead front sight, the breech end of the rib numbered “1” in gold. The tubes are respectively signed “J. PURDEY & SONS AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON” and “MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH’S FLUID PRESSED STEEL”. The barrel flats are struck with Birmingham nitro reproof marks, and an import mark is beneath the forearm on the under rib. Treble grip action signed “PURDEY’S PATENT” on the underside, and with blued toplever signed “PATENT”, percussion fences, rebounding locks each signed “J. PURDEY & SONS” and sprung front trigger. With fine Purdey pattern bouquet and scroll engraving throughout. Well-figured straight hand stock with checkered butt, grip and forearm, the last with Anson push button release, and carved drop points. In fitted brass cornered oak and leather case lined in purple baize and fitted for one set of barrels, with cleaning rod and black leather Purdey trade label with gilt lettering. The additional set of blued 30 inch barrels were made later and are signed “HY. ANDREW & CO. LTD. TOLEDO STEEL WORKS SHEFFIELD” and struck with Belgian proof marks. The barrels feature a finely matted concave rib with bead front sight and a small spray of scrollwork at the breech end. Barrel measurements for the extra H.Y. Andrews barrel set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech proved at 18.4 mm (.724 inches) and both measured at .734 inches; 2 3/4 inch chambers; choke constriction .017/.048; minimum wall thickness .026/.027 inches. Barrel measurements for primary set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech reproved 18.8 mm/18.7 mm (.740/.736 inches) and measured .744/.738 inches; 2 3/4 inch chambers; choke constrictions .056/.052 inches; minimum wall thickness .021/.026 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 5/8 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 8 oz. CONDITION: Very good as partially refinished. The barrels retain near 100% reblued finish with recut signatures. Action retains very slight traces of original casehardened finish with crisp engraving, the toplever and trigger guard each with near 100% reblued finish. Expertly restocked with an attractive stock blank, checkering is crisp and the edges of the drop points are sharp. Mechanically excellent. The extra H.Y. Andrews barrels are in very good condition with little signs of use and minor storage blemishes. The case is in good condition, some age wear and staining to exterior, straps and handle replaced, interior relined, and lid slightly bowed around lock. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 8,000 - 14,000
LOT 3408
Very Fine Engraved C. Hunt & Co. 12 Bore “The Matchless Gun” Double Barrel Toplever Hammer Pigeon Shotgun - Serial no. 687, 12 gauge, 27 3/4 inch bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in circa 1905, this fine classic sidelock hammergun features blued barrels respectively signed “THE MATCHLESS GUN” and “C. HUNT & CO. LTD. BIRMINGHAM & LONDON”, import mark beneath the forearm on the under rib, each engraved with pyramids of stylised foliage at the breech end, and finely matted concave rib with bead front sight. The underside of each barrel marked “SIEMEN’S MARTIN’S STEEL. BEST QUALITY”. Casehardened side-clipped treble grip action with cross
pin and blued toplever. Rebounding sidelocks respectively signed “C. HUNT & CO. LTD.” and “BIRMINGHAM & LONDON” around the base of each hammer. The whole
finely and profusely decorated with bouquet and scroll engraving. Well figured walnut straight hand stock with grooved dark horn heel plate, panels of multipoint checkering to the grip and forearm, the latter with Anson push button release. The underside of the butt with silver shield shaped initial escutcheon engraved with a monogram and fitted with a sling mount. Birmingham
nitro proof marks. Stock and barrel measurements: bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proved at 12 (.729 inches) and measured at .738/.735 inches; choke constrictions .045/.045 inches; minimum wall thickness .029/.029 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 1/2 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrels retaining near 100% reblued finish with slightly softened barrel signatures and clear engraved decoration to the breech ends. Action retaining 95% original strong casehardened finish with crisp engraving. Trigger guard retains 25% original blued finish, mostly to the inner surface. Stock is very good with scattered age related storage and handling marks and blemishes. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3407
Rare Engraved J. Purdey & Sons 12 Bore Double Barrel Hammer Pigeon Shotgun with Case and
Extra Set of Barrels - Serial no. 19445,
12 gauge, 30 inch bbl., blue/casehardened