Barrel length 71 cm (28"), stock length 38 cm (15"), overall length 115 cm (45.25"), choke 1/4 & 3/4 (IC & IM), weight 2.7 kg, made 2003, British proof, condition 2.
Demibloc barrels, concave rib, brass front sight, inscribed with" J. Purdey & Sons" and "Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England", ejectors, enhanced proofing, automatic sliding tang safety, single trigger, bearded edge trigger guard, rounded self-opening bar-action sidelocks type Beesley, cocking indicator, sear, disc-set strikers, masterfully and richly detailed engraved with large arched shaded arabesques and floral ornaments, sidelocks engraved with game scenes left of sweeping chamfers, right with mallards, snipes on case back, signed "C. Flohimont" on trigger guard, three times inlaid with gold "J. Purdey & Sons", gold dots inlaid in the engravings, trigger guard engraved en-suite and color case hardened on the inside, exquisite walnut stock with drop points, straight grip, carved stock end, forend with Anson push-rod, gold stock monogram plate engraved with name and ornament, in a leather covered oak case with brass corners and linen cover, including Purdey service passport, horn box with 2 spare firing pins, two piece Purdey cleaning rod with brush set, oil bottle, Purdey cleaning cloth and an original snap caps. Bluing at muzzle somewhat rubbed, small superficial traces of use on barrel and stock.
Exceptional double-barrel shotgun from the world-famous English manufacture, in a particularly fine finish. This shotgun was used, which gives it thereby a special flair!
Engraving by Master Engraver Cécile Flohimont. Cécile studied at the Léon Mignon Armoury School in Liège. In 1984, Cécile started working at for many of the big European shotgun and riflemakers. Her work is regarded as some of the best in the world.
James Purdey worked for Joseph Manton, the London arms manufacturer par excellence of his time, known for his penchant for perfection. With his accumulated experience and knowledge, he eventually went into business for himself and finally opened his first shop in Princes Street in 1814. As early as 1826 he moved to Oxford Street and took over the property of Joseph Manton who had previously gone bankrupt after unsuccessful orders. The premise of manufacturing to the highest quality was part of James Purdey's work from the beginning, and so from 1838 onwards they were pleased to have won Queen Victoria as a customer. In 1883, after successful growth, the company moved to Audley House, where it is still located today. Purdey was already in the 19th century qualitatively at the top of the gun manufacturers. The company stands for the highest manufacturing quality and innovations steeped in history. In addition to the Purdey nose and the double Purdey underlug, as a locking device for break-barrel guns, the brand stands for the symbol of a self-opening shotgun. The mechanism, originally patented by Frederick Beesley, was purchased by Purdey, adapted and perfected both technically and commercially. The transition from breech-loaders with external to internal cocks (now hammers) became a complete success for Purdey. The company survived the economic crisis and the two world wars and was managed by the family through several generations of descendants. The majority ownership itself passed from the Purdey family to Hugh & Victor Seely in 1946, who in turn passed to Richard Beaumont. In 1948 they took the opportunity to buy Woodward & Sons. In times of an increasingly important American market, the company gained technology and know-how in a segment that still had potential within the company - over/under shotguns. Engraving, which had previously been less typical, also became more and more recognized within the company, and the importance of custom-made luxury firearms was completely rounded off. The company's fortunes remained linked to the Purdey and Beaumont families, even beyond a 1994 sale to the Richemont Group (Compagnie Financière Richemont SA). In recent years, the manufacture of sporting shotguns (Purdey Sporter) has also become increasingly important.

Category: Shotguns