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J.Purdey & Sons - Best - Extra Finish - 2 bl. set - 12 Ga., 2 3/4" - 25" and 28", Excellent Plus, Original Case Guns International #: 102583834 Seller's Inventory #: 21-024 Category: Purdey Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: rcrwin70 Member Since: 9/26/07 First Name: Roger State: Hawaii Country: United States Platinum Seller Number of Active Listings: 1 Seller: Private Seller Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. 3 days Payment Types Accepted: cashiers check or money order or pay pal plus 3% Description: SALE PENDING ** J. Purdey & Sons – Best – Extra Finish – 2 bl. Set - 12 Ga., 2 3/4"- 25” and 28” barrels, Excellent Plus, re-cased in 1989 Description J. Purdey & Sons --- Sidelock Ejector --- 12 Gauge, 2 3/4" Chambers. Built in 1908 for M.L.Schiff, a rare forward-thinking wingman who was about six years ahead of the oncoming rage for Churchill’s 25” barrels (their first new gun with 25” barrel, serial number 2098 built in 1914).  After Churchill’s 25” guns proved themselves for live pigeon shoots in every corner of London, their popularity exploded with nearly 800 guns sold in the twenties. This Purdey was ordered with side by side chopper lump barrels with 25” length with smooth concave rib, choked light improved cylinder and light modified, nitro proved for 1 1/8oz with 2 ¾” chambers. In 1989, a second set of 28” side by side barrels were added with the exact same smooth concave rib with scroll engraving at the chambers, choked improved cylinder & modified, proved in London again for 2 3/4" cartridges. Both sets of barrels are marked with Purdey’s standard marking, “J. Purdey & Sons  Audley House South Audley Street  London.”   The new barrel was required to meet the new import/export laws of 1968 and the country, England, was added to the inscription. Also, to house both barrels, a new leather and oak trunk case was added. About the Purdey Double Purdey side by side shotguns are considered to be the finest double guns ever produced. With the Beesley self-opening action and meticulous hand fitting of metal and wood, the Purdey is the quintessential double of the London gun trade. Many lists have been made of the ten best shotguns in the world, or twenty best shotguns in the world, and every time Purdey is number one. From Gamefield Classics by Michael McIntosh and Bill Headrick, “Fame is often fleeting, enduring fame is rare. James Purdey & Sons is by no means the oldest existing gunmaker – but Purdey’s can now (21st Century) rightly claim to have been the worlds’ most famous maker during three different centuries.” This gun A most unusual feature of the original buyer’s order is that, instead of Purdey’s renowned rose and bouquet scroll engraving, the buyer ordered the “extra finish” an upgrade pattern of heavy Acanthus scrolls that would be popularized later by Holland & Holland on their Royal. Purdey’s “Extra” is less conservative and more costly than their traditional pattern. According to the factory, Walter Warren was the engraver and one of their finest in-house engravers of that period. Mechanics The action is traditional Purdey at its zenith with the famous Purdey self-opening, dual underlug locking system, bushed firing pins, cocking indicators, and automatic top tang safety with SAFE inlaid in gold. The mechanics are excellent with crisp triggers and strong well-timed ejectors and a positive safety. Weight: 6lbs, 6oz with 28" barrels; 6lbs. with 25" barrels. It locks up tight and on face with both sets of barrels. Stock The stock is in excellent condition, made from highly figured English walnut of exhibition quality – Purdey’s customary straight English grip with teardrops and splinter forend with Anson-release. Checkering is the traditional point-pattern with a combination of single and mullered borders, all meticulously crafted with a vacant gold oval. Measurements are 1 ½” drop at comb, 2 1/4” drop at heel with ¼” cast-off for a right hand shooter and 14 1/2” LOP terminating in a fine Purdey-early-style leather covered recoil pad.   Condition   The new 28” dovetail barrels have minimum wall thicknesses of .032” in both barrels. The right bore measures .728” internal diameter with .008” constriction. The left bore measures .728” internal diameter with .018” constriction. The older barrels have a minimum wall thicknesses of .026” The barrels are tight as new on the breech face and on the hinge pin, bores are perfect mirrors, the screws are perfect, and the engraving is sharp and clear and precisely executed. Barrel blue 99%, casehardening colors 80%, wood 99%, checkering 100%, bores as new, Purdey’s usual meticulous fit and finish…all total for just spectacular original condition. In maker’s new oak & leather trunk case fitted with snap caps, oil and striker bottles, two horn-handled turnscrews and brush, cleaning rod and maker's original label. Price: $34,750. Seller is the author of The Rifleman’s Rifle (Winchester pre-64 Model 70s) and will furnish a Letter of Provenance that this gun is from his collection.  Please check out author’s feedback on ebay under rcrwin70roger.  3-day non-firing inspection for full refund, shipping is $75 to buyer’s FFL, payment by MO, certified check, or personal check with wait for validation. For questions, call Roger 808-989-1863   SOLD Manufacturer: Purdey Model: Best Condition: Excellent Plus Metal Condition: 99 Wood Condition: 99 Stock Comb: 1 1/2 Stock Heel: 2 1/4 Stock Cast: 1/4 off for right hand LOP: 14 1/2 Rib: smooth Weight: 6 lb 6 oz Engraving: Engraved Extra Finish Extras: 2 barrels Case: original Proof:Nitro: 1 1/8 oz