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ANTIQUE JAMES PURDEY SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
ANTIQUE JAMES PURDEY SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK

EXTRACTOR HEAVY GAME GUN WITH LATER SINGLE TRIGGER & BEAVERTAIL FOREND. Cal. 12 Ga. 2 3/4". S# 12950 (1888). Built on Beesley's famous patent action, this gun has unusual early 30" dovetailed steel bbls. of Whitworth steel. Slightly swamped top rib is engraved with Purdey's famous Audley House address & Whitworth steel information. Bbl. flats are stamped with London black powder proofs; bottoms of bbls. with "12B" & "M" as well as serial numbers & early use of maker's initials "G" (G. Gear). Tube numbers 5497 5499 are on loop (non chopper lump bbls. did not have to be paired). Casehardened Beesley patent sidelock, self opening action, has been fitted with a single selective trigger of unknown parentage. Selector is in safety button. "SAFE" is inlaid in gold. When safe is visible, gun will fire. True safe position is with "SAFE" just covered. Action also features Purdey's hidden 3rd fastener, bushed strikers & engraved arrow tumbler end cocking indicators. Action is engraved in Purdey's "house style" with well cut sm. scroll having rose bouquet highlights as most likely done by George Lucas, Purdey's head engraver at the time. "J. PURDEY & SONS" is on each lockplate. "PURDEY'S" "PATENT" is on bottom of action. Blued top lever is also engraved "PATENT". Blued trigger guard has open scroll on bow & serial number on tang. Original straight grip buttstock of well marbled and figured European walnut measures 14" over old open sided "White Line" recoil pad on wedge shaped extension 1/2" thick at top tapering to 1/16" at toe. Stock also features drop points, closely spaced point pattern checkering at grip, and a vacant silver oval on toe line. Later, long beavertail forend of crotch figured American walnut has been fitted, & Anson release tube extended. Steel forend tip is retained and poorly fitted. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS.: Bore Diameter: R: .732" (MOD), L: .734" (FULL). Restrictions: R: .732", L: .734". Minimum Wall Thickness: R: .021", L: .026". STOCK: DAH: 2 1/4". DAC: 1 1/2". CAST: approx. 1/4" off. LOP: 14". WEIGHT: 7 lbs. 15 oz. CONDITION: bbls. retaining most of a reblack, rib engraving rather light. Action retains 25-35% original casehardening color. Lockplates retain over 80% color. Left plate quite strong, perhaps 90%. There is some uncleaned oxidation on bottom left side. Original buttstock retains most of an old oil finish, checkering with some recutting shows considerable wear. Forend retains most of its original finish. Bores are exceptionally fine, bright & shiny. Only one minor ping is found in right bbl. about 10" back from muzzle. Action is tight with evidence of some work on hook. Muzzle end appears to be resoldered & entire rib may be resoldered. (Bbls. ring well.) Bbls. are on face. Trigger appears to work well. Internal inspection reveals that intercepting safety sears have had their tails & catches removed. DANGER: SAFETY IS RECONFIGURED SO THAT WHEN "SAFE" IS VISIBLE, GUN CAN BE FIRED. GUN IS ONLY SAFE WITH SELECTOR IN MIDDLE POSITION WHERE THE WORD "SAFE" CANNOT BE SEEN. PUSHING BUTTON FURTHER FORWARD SETS UP TRIGGER TO BE FIRED AGAIN. (01-20816/MGM). ANTIQUE. $5,000-7,000.