barrel length 73,5 cm (29"), stock length 36 cm (14,25"), overall length 114 cm (45"), choke cylinder & full (cyl & F), weight 2,9 kg, year of manufacture 1901, british proof, restored to condition 3
Demibloc barrels with concave rib, inscribed "J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England", ejectors, receiver with manufacturer's typical fine English arabesque and rose bouquet engraving, fences cut with arcanthus foliage, self-opening sidelocks with bar-action sidelocks, cocking indicators and sear, disc-set strikers with gas vents, automatic sliding tang safety with gold inlaid "Safe", double trigger, beautifully grained walnut stock with drop, straight grip and horn cap, fore-end with Anson push-rod, blank gold stock monogram plate, all gun parts inscribed "2" as former part of a pair, in leather covered case with brass corners, renewed straps, trade label, leather carrying handle torn on one side, inscribed "A.R.M.", Purdey oil vial, Rigby buffer cartridges, two piece Purdey wooden cleaning rod with various brush attachments.
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 weapons has also become increasingly important.
Category: Shotguns
