doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Tell me what you can about this Purdey

I only have these photos and know that the gun came from Ireland several years ago. What do the photos tell you about the gun? I believe it is on the Beesely patent because the owner described its action in a way that would lead me to believe that it is a self-opener. On the rib it is marked:"J Purdy & Sons Audley House South Audley Street London made of Sir Joseph Whitworths fluid - pressed steel"


Have fun!
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/Vol423/James%20Purdey%20SXS/Purdey4.jpg[/IMG]

Mid 1880's Beesley pat. non-ejector game gun. Lovely wood, condition looks good. Newer london nitro re-proof for 2 1/2 in.
Case probably not original to gun. Barrels short for case, but with no specs given hard to tell if bbls original length. Is it being offered to you to buy?

All the best, Mal

It's a possible purchase. I just don't know enough yet to risk it. I'll ask more questions.

Vol:
What to do? If you like the gun, and can afford it, buy it! This is a fine Purdey. And you're better off without ejectors anyway. Barrels look 28". And are probably correct. Fences are beautiful. Some of the blued bits may be refinished... but hard to tell. As MacGregor says, the case probably isn't original, but so what? It's a $500 case at least. If you have a serial number, it might be worth checking Purdey records. But that's a $50 fee.

Best, Kensal

Hi, if you e-mail Purdey the SN of the gun, they will e-mail back to you all the info they have in their records regarding the gun free of charge. The fee they charge is if you want the info on Purdey Letterhead.

Best of luck to you......Nice Gun BTW!!!

Best!

Greg

The barrels are 29", chokes unknown, number 11814 built in 1883, according to the references on this website. I have emailed Purdeys for information. The real problem is that the owner knows its a Purdey but doesn't have a good sense of its current market value, except that someone told him it might bring $30K at auction. But I think that was a while ago and gun prices have softened considerably since then.

While I cannot comment on this particular gun, I have seen guns like it sell for closer to the 12 to 15k range. The older non-ejector guns dont seem to pull in the big bucks. Nice gun though. Is there any case color left? The pics make it look shiney.

I received a reply back from Purdeys and followed it up with photos. They indicate a reproof at 3 tons and 2.5" chambers. and placed the value of the gun at auction at 4500 to 6000 pounds, about $7000 to $9000 depending on exchange rate. Here is the text from the first email:

"Dear LTC McKinney,

I have looked up the 12 bore Purdey hammerless self opening non ejector gun no.11814 in our records & have found the following information:

Completed in July 1884 for Mr E. C. Guinness.

Number 1 of a pair of guns.

29" Whitworth steel barrels, 2 1/2" chambers, chokes right cylinder left modified choke.

Stock length 14 3/8" mid, with a heel pad.

Original weight of the gun 6lb. 3 1/2oz.

We have no record of fitting new barrels to this gun.

If you would like this information on Purdey headed paper the cost is �24. please send your credit card details & were the letter is to be posted.

Yours sincerely

David Maynard

James Purdey & Sons Limited registered office: 57-58 South Audley Street, London W1K 2ED number: 208758 England"

I wonder if EC Guinness is connected to the Guinness brewery.

Vol,

Nice gun.
Just a guess. It could be Edward Cecil, the time frame is about right :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Guinness,_1st_Earl_of_Iveagh

Now that is serious provenance. Even better than Roy Rogers.