PAIR OF SELF-OPENING SINGLE TRIGGER SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUNS BY JAMES PURDEY WITH MAGNIFICENT GOLD INLAID BIRDS AND METICULOUS SCROLL BY MARCUS HUNT WITH CASE. SN 28533/28534. (1982) Cal. 12 gauge. 28″ Chopper lump barrels with slightly raised matted game ribs gold inlaid “1” or “2” on breech ends, denoting a pair, are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street, London England.” on tops. Barrel flats are stamped with 1985 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers. Case hardened self-opening side lock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), disc set strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and single non-selective triggers. Actions and lock plates are engraved with Purdey house style small rose and scroll bouquets interrupted by and surrounding superbly detailed semi-relief renderings in gold of scenes of birds in flight. A pair of gold woodcock are flying through gold alder branches and leaves on left lock plate of gun “1”, with group of doves rising from trees on right. Bottom of action portrays a woodcock nestled in leaf litter. Gun “2” has trio of mallards settling into marsh on left, and covey of bobwhite quail taking wing on right. A woodcock settles down through branches on bottom of this action. The superbly cut scroll and fine game scenes are by Marcus Hunt, accomplished son of all-time great Ken Hunt. His signature is at the bottom of each game scene. Small bow trigger guards have SNs in gold on tangs, which extend to horn grip caps. Well marbled and nicely figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstocks measure 15-3/4″ over checkered wood butts, and feature classic styling with well executed drop points and point pattern checkering at grips. Toe lines have individual gold initials “D D” inlet. Matching splinter ejector for ends have Anson releases, and are not stamped with actioners initials. Gun “1”: Bore diameter: left -.728, right – .726. Bore restrictions: left – .025 (mod), right – .017 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left – .030, right – .034. Drop at heel: 1-15/16″, drop at comb: 1-7/16″. Cast: approximately 1/4 off. Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 15-3/4″. Gun “2”: Bore diameter: left -.728, right – .727. Bore restrictions: left – .022 (mod), right – .017 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left – .032, right – .031. Drop at heel: 2-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-5/16″. Cast: approximately 5/8 off. Weight: 6 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 15-3/4″. Guns are housed in brown leather two gun motor case with stitched leather corners lined in burgundy cloth, with Purdey gold embossed label in lid. Also there is a charge card for these particular guns in lid. Case contains square oil bottle still in its wrapper. CONDITION: Excellent, with evidence of fairly light field use. Gun “2” may show a bit more handling, but well over 95% finishes remain on metal parts, with some marks and dings on stocks. Bores are excellent. Mechanically excellent. Case has a few scuffs and marks in leather. Straps and handle are fine. Interior cloth is very fine. Label is excellent. This pair would sell around $250,000 if ordered today. Gorgeous guns!