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GOOD PAIR OF JAMES PURDEY SIDE LOCK EJECTOR GAME

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
GOOD PAIR OF JAMES PURDEY SIDE LOCK EJECTOR GAME
GUNS WITH ORIGINAL CASE. Cal. 12 Ga., 2 1/2". S#18057/18058. Bbls. 28" chopper lump, engraved “J. Purdey & Sons. Audley House, South Audley Street, London. Made of Sir Joseph Whitworths Fluid Compressed Steel” on narrow, slightly swamped game ribs. Barrel flats stamped with London nitro proofs for 1 1/8oz. of shot. Tube nos. “24337” and “24338” are on gun #1, and tube nos. “24423” and “24424” are on gun #2. Barrel makers initials “RW” (unknown) are on bottoms of left barrels. Beesley patent self opening full sidelock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, double triggers and arrow engraved tumbler end cocking indicators. Actions and lockplates engraved with very nicely cut small shaded scroll with rose bouquet highlights in Purdey house style, probably the work of J. Lucas, Purdey’s noted head engraver. “J. Purdey & Sons.” is on bottom of each lockplate and “Purdey’s Patent” is on bottom of each action. Blued scroll engraved trigger guards have S#s on tangs. Top levers have numbers “1” or “2” inlaid in silver. Very fine, well matched, intricately marbled, and lightly burl figured Circassian walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 14 1/2" over black leather covered pads. Stocks feature drop points, standard 22 LPI checkering with mullered borders and vacant silver ovals on toelines. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases with silver numbers “1” or “2” inlet into checkering pattern. S#s are engraved on irons, which are also stamped with actioners initials, “H.S” (unknown) on gun #1, and “W.N” (Wesley Nobbs) on gun #2. MEASUREMENTS: Gun #1: Bore diameter: left .730, right .729. Bore restrictions: left .018 (Mod), right .011 (IC). Wall thickness: left .025, right .025. DAH: 2 1/2". DAC: 1 9/16". Cast: approx. 5/8" off. WEIGHT: 6 lbs. 11 oz. LOP 14 3/4". Gun #2: Bore diameter: left .735, right .729. Bore restrictions: left .021 (Mod), right .008 (IC). Wall thickness: left .020 (small area 8 1/2" back from muzzle on outer edge), right .024. DAH: 2 3/4". DAC: 1 9/16". Cast: approx. 5/8 off. WEIGHT: 6 lbs, 11 oz. LOP 14 5/8". UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: original maker’s oak and leather two-gun case has brass corners and round central medallion in lid. Initials “H. H. H.” are embossed on lid. Interior is lined with burgundy cloth with gold embossed black leather Purdey label and paper label serial numbered to these guns with specifications. Bottom of case has two covered compartments, covers have brass knobs. Case contains Purdey marked pair of snap caps, and square oil bottle marked “J. Blanch & Son”. CONDITION: very fine, as partially refinished. Barrels retain nearly all of a fine London quality reblack, with a few minor areas silvering, mostly from contact with case. Rib engraving has been picked up. Actions are mostly silver with traces of color hardening in protected areas. Lockplates show a considerable amount of original case hardening color, which is stronger on gun #2. Trigger guards, top levers and safety buttons have been reblued (engraving slightly softened) and retain nearly all of that blue. Stocks retain nearly all of a fine rubbed oil finish. All edges remain fairly sharp. Checkering is recut, and sharp. Wood of forends is under metal and away from irons, considerably so on gun #1, which shows repairs on either side of irons. Drop shows wear on gun #1 (bottom of action marked). Drop is good on gun #1. Actions are tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are out of time on gun #1, but in time on gun #2. Case leather is still light in color, but shows some areas of darkening and numerous scuffs, rubs and minor cuts. Handle is good. Straps are missing. Interior cloth is fine with areas soiled from contact with guns and barrels. Blocks that mount up against breech faces are removed to accommodate additional length from pads. Areas at ends of barrels are filled in with cloth of a slightly different hue. Accessories are good. Oil bottle has considerable amount of plating lifted. (21-1609 & 21-1653/MGM). CURIO. $20,000-30,000.