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J. Purdey & Sons exceptional 12g sidelock with provenance
Guns International #: 101132104 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Purdey Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: brandonhal
Company:
Member Since: 2/23/14
First Name: Brandon
Last Name: Halstead
State: State not Found
Zip: 09468
Country: United Kingdom
Phone:
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 4
Total Number of Listings: 29
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: paypal; certified bank check
Description:
Extraordinary J. Purdey & Sons antique sidelock 12 gauge with notable provenance.
Upland wildfowling at its finest! Reasonable offers considered. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a fully functional antique masterpiece with royal pedigree by one of the world’s best shotgun makers. James Purdey & Sons has confirmed that this lightweight 12 gauge self-opening sidelock was manufactured in 1888. I found this gun at a reasonable price here in England, and I'm able to share that savings with the next buyer. There is otherwise nothing wrong with this outstanding piece.
Purdey provided the provenance indicating it was built at that time for Sir Arthur Singleton Wynne, a Major General of the British Royal Army. Maj Gen Wynne’s impressive history available upon request, with decorated service in Afghanistan, the Sudan, and the second Boer War. A brief write-up of the provenance and purchase by Maj Gen Wynne is included with the shotgun.
In beautiful condition, the frame, sidelocks and top lever are hand-engraved in ornate and detailed fine rose bouquet in typical Purdey fashion: acanthus foliate scrollwork and floral bouquets throughout the locks and floorplate; trailing vines on the trigger guard; scrollwork and bouquet with “PATENT” on the toplever; and floral and acanthus bouquets engraved on the fences. The maker’s name “J. PURDEY & SONS” bolsters the bottom of each lock. Automatic cocking indicators with arrow design on the sidelocks, and automatic safety. Matching serial numbers “130xx” throughout the gun on the barrels, forend, and trigger guard, with additional matching numbers “7527” between the barrel flats and action.
Purdey is renowned for the strength of their light and thin barrels offering responsive, lightweight guns unequaled by other makers. This model is no exception, fitted with its original chopper-lump steel barrels made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s fluid-pressed steel. This gun comes in at a featherweight 6 pounds 6 ounces, and was used as recently as last season with perfect shooting and zero faults. Scrolling vines at the bottom of the raised game rib, with engraving which reads “J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH’S FLUID-PRESSED STEEL.” This gun is in an outstanding state and appears to have been little used.
Antique proof marks on the barrel flats when it was originally black powder proof, including the original black powder London proof marks, starting with the definitive proof mark “GP” under a crown, view mark “V” under a crown, and the provisional proof mark lion rampant over intertwined letters “GP”. The barrels were subsequently reproofed for modern nitro shells as reflected by the Birmingham proof stamp OB1 and “BNP” confirming current nitro proof specifications and compliance, and approved for contemporary loads at a pressure up to “3 TONS PER SQUARE INCH.”
The 30” barrels with brass sight bead have strong current bore measurements coming in at .737 and .739 for right and left bore diameters, 23 thousandths thickness for the right and left walls, and a flawless mirrored interior – absolutely zero marks or pitting. These are superb, original barrels; with continued good care and cleaning after each shoot, this collector’s item should offer great future hunting well into the next century – a future family heirloom for generations to come.
The chambers with extractors are sized for 2 & ½” shells, and chokes of improved cylinder and ½. The interior of the bores are perfect mirrors, while the outer barrels appear to have original bluing with consistent wear and patina between the barrels, trigger guard and fore-end Anson plunger hardware. Spotless condition on the interior of the action, with no pitting and zero powder marks on the breech or face.
The well figured stock has nice checkering throughout the hand and a handsome dark grain, finely checkered butt, a brass oval on underside of stock engraved with the initials “DAG”, gold inlaid “SAFE” automatic safety mechanism at the hand, and a 14 & 1/2” pull. The barrels lock up tight with absolutely no play in the action. Sharply checkered fore-end wood with engraved fore-end base and tip and Anson plunger release.
This collector’s item is housed in its beautiful oak and leather guncase with Purdey decal and brass corners on the exterior of the case and brass oval centerpiece engraved “DAG”. Includes bore brushes & tools, Purdey chrome snap-caps, pewter oil bottle by “G & J W HAWKSLEY”, and original key to the lock. This is a chance to own one of the finest shotguns of the Victorian era or afterwards, made by arguably the best shotgun maker in the world; James Purdey & Sons made ONLY best-quality shotguns. It’s also an investment-grade antique that can be taken into the field without the worry or expense of spending upper five or six figures. A Purdey with its original barrels in proof, with its guncase, and with provenance and impressive pedigree is becoming exceedingly hard to find at this price.
As Terry Wieland highlights in his book “Vintage British Shotguns,” he states “If you buy an English gun… and the proof marks show it has been nitro proofed – that is, proven with smokeless powder – you know it’s safe to shoot with loads of the length and gauge marked.” Weiland also confirms that “James Purdey is the pre-eminent name in the British gun trade, regardless of claims (however legitimate and justified they may be) of other firms. In the public mind, whether they know anything about guns or not, a Purdey is simply the best – and not just the best in the United Kingdom, but the best in the world.” Noted British gun specialist Jack Rowe rates Purdeys as follows: “What can one say? On a par with Holland & Holland. Everyone knows the history. Best hammer guns. Best sidelocks. The best there is.” Expert George Caswell agrees and describes their “quality is always superb…and command a premium of 40 to 50 percent.”
Almost no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 130+ year old antique, other than a few faint handling marks on the stock and barrels, and a small subtle mark near the toe of the right-hand side of the stock. Overall excellent, beautiful condition, with hand-made quality apparent throughout its manufacture. A fine example of the master craftsmanship in UK gun-making from arguably the world’s best shotgun maker and premier member of the “Big 3” of Britain’s most famous craftsmen Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Boss & Co. With the growing popularity of wildfowling using classic British shotguns, this is a great combination of beauty and function without absolutely breaking the bank. Affordable luxury; ready for your next century of shooting!
This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a U.S. military family stationed in the UK, and ship via Royal Mail or FedEx at an insured and flat rate of $125 because this package with the gun case is heavy; usually takes about a week to arrive in the US. Online member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via PayPal or certified bank check accepted. Please note I am not a dealer and not an expert, but a private collector, have tried to enter all the details I am aware of for this gun, and will try to answer any questions as best I can. I am downsizing my collection and hope to find other US enthusiasts of classic English shotguns to re-home a few of these pieces. Thanks for your interest. Key words: sxs shotgun, side by side, British, English, double barrel, 12 gauge, 12 ga, 12g, side lock, sidelock, Purdy, J. Purdey.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: J. Purdey &
Serial Number: 130xx
Bore: .737 & .739
Chambers: 2.5
Condition: excellent
Wood Condition: well figured
Bore Condition: mirror
Barrels: 30
Barrel Type: sxs
Triggers: 2x
Gauge Info: 12
LOP: 14 & 1/2
Rib: raised game
Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz.
Manufacture Date: 1888
Choke Left: 1/2
Choke Right: IC
Case: yes
Proof:Nitro: British Nitro Proof
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 23,000
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 23,000