I recently acquired a 1897 Purdey SLE. It seems in good order mechanically. It cocks, fires and ejects properly and Very smoothly. It even closes easily. It snaps itelf open when right side up ejecting the hulls together impacting next to each other five feet away.

I find it a little hard to believe how well it works given the age, but dumb luck is better than no luck.

My question is while right side up it operates properly, it does not do the same upside down. Is this normal or is it just a little old and tired or Am I expecting too much?

Michael Dittamo
Topeka, KS