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UNUSUAL ANTIQUE JAMES PURDEY & SON ROUND BODIED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,250.00 USD Estimated At:12,500.00 - 20,000.00 USD
UNUSUAL ANTIQUE JAMES PURDEY & SON ROUND BODIED

SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN W/ TWO SETS OF BARRELS. Cal. 12 Ga. 2 1/2". S# 15364 (mfg. 1895). This fine gun has two sets of 30" chopper lump bbls. One with maker's name and address on narrow game rib has bbl. flats stamped w/ original London black powder proofs, early London nitro reproofs, and later Birmingham reproofs all for 2 1/2" chambers with the Birmingham proofs at 850 BAR & stamped "Lined Barrel" (most likely Teague liners). Serial numbers are on bottoms of bbls. & bbl. maker's initials "WH" (Bill Hill) are on bottom of left bbl. Tube numbers "16141" & "16142" are on loop. The second set of newly made bbls. have rib engraved "2" and with scroll; matching the number "2" on the first set of bbls, top lever and forend iron. These newer bbls. are stamped with 1991 London nitro proofs for 2 1/2" chambers. Serial number is on bottom of right bbl. Coin finished rnd. bodied sidelock action features automatic safety ("SAFE" inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, engraved arrow tumbler end cocking indicators & dbl. triggers. Action is engraved w/ near full coverage Purdey "house" style rose & scroll featuring very small well cut scroll & nicely detailed rose bouquets. "J. Purdey & Sons" is at the bottom of each lockplate & bottom of action is engraved "PURDEY'S" "PATENT". Blued trigger guard is engraved w/ usual larger open scroll; serial number is on tang. Very attractive, dense, well marbled & lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 3/4" over checkered wood butt. Action area is correctly rounded. Point pattern checkering w/ mullered borders is at grip. A vacant gold oval is on toeline. Splinter Wem ejector forend has unusual flat Anson release button. Iron is engraved "Patent" "2" & is stamped w/ actioner's initials "S.P" (Sol Prentice). MEASUREMENTS: ORIGINAL LINED BBLS: Bore Diameter: R .714", L .714". Restriction: R .003" (IC), L .011" (Light MOD). Min. Wall Thickness: R .030", L .027". STOCK: DAH: 2 11/16". DAC: 1 1/2"+. LOP: 14 3/4". CAST: approx. 1/2" off. WEIGHT: 7 lb. 2 oz. NEWLY MADE BBLS: Bore Diameter: R .727", L .727". Restrictions R .008" (IC), L .008". Min. Wall Thickness: R .031", L. 031". STOCK: DAH: 2 13/16". DAC: 1 5/8". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 14 oz. (IC). UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: additional set of newly made bbls. CONDITION: fine as partially refurbished. Original bbl. set retains over 90% reblue, silvering around muzzles, breech ends & along sharp edges. Replacement bbl. set retains essentially all of it's fine quality London black. Action is cleaned to coin finish, engraving remains clear. Reblued top lever & trigger guard show silvering to about 80% blue. Buttstock retains most of an old oil refinish w/ some scattered marks, checkering w/ considerable wear has not been recut. Forend wood is also refinished & appears that checkering was recut & is quite widely spaced while grip checkering is closely spaced. Bores are bright & shiny. Action is tight. Bbls. are on face. Drop is good although tip of iron has been shortened. Ejectors are strong and in time. An attractive, good handling gun. A new set of best quality London made bbls. presently cost over $15,000. (01-20907/MGM). ANTIQUE. $12,500-20,000.