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The actions are decorated with deeply relief carved
fences and classic Purdey near full coverage tight
scroll engraving surrounding “J. PURDEY & SONS.”
signatures on either side, a gold monogram on the
toplever of gun “2”, and wading game birds in oval
scenes on the left, three oval scenes depicting ducks,
a heron, and a crane on the underside, and two more
oval scenes with ducks on the right. The engraving
was most likely carried out by Harry Kell’s Shop in
Soho. Each gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and
multi-point checkered beavertail forend with engraved
casehardened iron and an Anson button release as well
as a round semi-pistol grip stock with teardrop carved
drop points, gold inscription oval marks “L” on gun “1”
and filled space on “2”, and a Decelerator recoil pad on
gun “1” and a Silver’s type recoil pad on gun “2”. Gun
“1” (serial number 22417) is described on page 130 of
Donald Dallas’ book “Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers: The
Definitive History”. On that page Dallas states that this
was the first of the post-World War I Single Barrel Trap guns, and this pair are two of the total
59 built, making them quite rare on top of their beauty. It also appears that the order for
these guns may have been taken during Athol Purdey’s U.S. sales trip in 1922, when he came
to the U.S. in an attempt to tap into the vast American market as sales in Post-War England
were waning. The included binder of documentation from Griffin & Howe, holders of the Von
Lengerke & Detmold record, indicates that this pair of guns was ordered by Mr. Henry Graves
Jr., with the first gun arriving on February 18th, 1923, and the second gun arriving on April
18th of the same year. The records include copies of the factory ledger and lists of the noted
special features and options on this pair of guns. Henry Graves Jr. was a banker in the New
York area and was known to have a taste for the finer things in life, which this pair of guns
clearly shows. Mr. Graves is famous in some circles for having commissioned the “Holy Grail”
of watches from Patek Phillippe in 1925 which was the most complex time-piece ever made,
and sold for an impressive $24 million in 2014. Includes two modern two gun
takedown cases and a copy of Dallas’ book. Barrel and stock measurements: bore
diameter nine inches from the breech proofed at “12” (.729 inches) and measured
.733 inches; choke constriction .034 inches; minimum wall thickness .054 inches; 1
5/16 inch drop at comb; 1 7/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 99% blue finish, 90% original case
colors , minor handling evidence, a slight gap at the forend/barrel fitment, a few scratches on
the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
B) Gold Inlaid Purdey Single Barrel Trap Shotgun - Serial no. 22429, 12 gauge, 32 inch
vent rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. As described in “A”. Barrel and stock
measurements: bore diameter nine inches from the breech proofed at “12” (.729 inches) and
measured .733 inches; choke constriction .042 inches; minimum wall thickness .053 inches; 1
5/16 inch drop at comb; 1 3/8 inch drop at heel; 14 5/16 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 5 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 98% blue finish, 85% original
case colors with some high edge wear, a few tiny freckles of oxidation on the barrel, and
minor handling evidence. The wood is fine with a gap and a small crack at the forend/metal
junction, some dings and scratches concentrated at the forend release, and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. Do not miss out on this chance to own a fantastic pair of Purdey
Single Barrel Trap Guns that were not only the first in the country, but the world!
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000
According to "Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers: the Definitive History" by Dallas, only 59 J. Purdey & Sons Self-Opening Single Barrel Trap shotguns were manufactured.
As described in Purdey Gun & Rifle
Makers: the Definitive History by Dallas
This pair of J. Purdey & Sons was ordered by Mr. Henry
Graves Jr. Mr. Graves is famous for having commissioned
the “Holy Grail” of watches from Patek Phillippe in
1925 which was the most complex time-piece ever made,
and sold for an impressive $24 million in 2014. 363