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James Purdey & Sons 12 Bore Back Action Island Lock Hammergun
Guns International #: 100693428 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Purdey Shotguns - Hammer Shotguns
Seller's Information
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Seller: MacNab
Company: MacNab Fine Firearms
Member Since: 6/30/07
State: Virginia
Zip: 24523
Country: United States
Phone: (704) 796-6364
Number of Active Listings: 42
Total Number of Listings: 965
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Cashiers Check, U.S. Postal Money Order, Personal Check
Description:
*** SOLD *** *** JUST IN FROM THE UK *** Throughout its centerfire era, Purdey has been famous for its well defined house styles: it did what it did superbly and rarely diverted from its normal designs and styles. By 1885, the Beesley patent, self-opening, hammerless sidelock was already in production and the hammergun's heyday was slowly coming to an end. However, shooting sportsmen have always been a traditional bunch and many carried on ordering hammerguns well into the 20th century so Purdey was obliged to humour them. Contrary to popular belief, Purdey therefore chose to outsource some of their production to trusted members of the outworking gun trade and gun no 12191 is a fine example of this business model. *** The gun is in the normal Purdey style of 'Island, Backaction lock' but there is an interesting difference between this and most of their other 'Island' locks: the position of the lock's through-pin. Normally this would be at the front of the lock plate but here it is located in the very centre of the lock plate. Secondly, the barrel and action flats exhibit an unidentified trademark and letter 'C', presumably from the outworker who built the gun. I have no doubt that the gun was finished, stocked and engraved by Purdey themselves but the initial actioning and barrelling was done by another. So this gun gives us a fascinating insight into the workings of the very top of the late 19th century gun trade and with its beautifully TIG sleeved barrels, lovely wood and excellent dimension, it would make a fine gun for any discerning clay or game shot. *** This beautiful Purdey, no. 12191 was made in 1885 and was recently refurbished in the UK by Toby Barclay of Heritage Guns. The action is of traditional hammergun design and features: much original hardening colour; double triggers; back action, 'Island' locks; low, rebounding, 'Dolphin' hammers; sprung strikers; top lever operating a Purdey Bolt by way of a Scott Spindle and Hackett's snap-on forend catch. Gun weighs 6lb 8oz. Engraving style Best fine foliate scroll. Unusual ball shaped fences. Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs Rear trigger 4 ½ lbs. *** The TIG sleeved steel barrels are 30" in length, chambered for 2 3/4" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed dovetail lump construction with soft soldered ribs. Top rib is of the smooth, concave game type. Birmingham reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2016. The right barrel is bored 0.730 and has a constriction of 0.012 for Improved Cylinder choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0.034. The left barrel is bored 0.728 with a constriction of 0.021 for Modified choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0,036. *** The straight hand stock and splinter forearm are crafted from well figured walnut. The stock is cast-off for a right-handed shot, features a vacant white metal oval and is finished with a checkered ½" Ebonite butt plate secured with engraved screws. The forend features a finely engraved steel forend tip. There are small infill repairs to dents in the upper left horn and lower right horn.The very fine 26 lines per inch checkering is freshened to its normal sidelock pattern. The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface. Stock dimensions are 14-5/8” by 1-1/2” by 2-1/2”. *** This “Island Lock” Purdey hammergun is similar to what Lord Ripon used. Considered by many to be the finest shot of his era he could have used any type of gun then available. He chose a Purdey Island Lock hammergun. Now it’s your chance to own one. Don’t let it get away! US Agent for Heritage Guns UK. Buyer is responsible for all shipping, insurance and other related charges. I give a three-day non-firing inspection and will only accept returns if gun is not as described in the listing and photos. Always use sensible low pressure ammunition such as RST shotshells in older and antique shotguns.
SOLD
Antique: Yes