The photos were taken with a SLR, the rear part of the
plate is not within the focus zone, so it may look worn,
but it is not , it is just outside the "sharp zone".
Purdey built the pair in 1889 and got it back after the original owners death in 1906 and
sold it then to Bioncourt. He passed away in 1913 in Germany.
So he used it for 7 years, had another Purdey which he
donated to a Russian ..
What happened afterwards it's guesswork. The late Swiss banker,
first marriage with Bioncourt granddaughter, has been a keen hunter. There are 2 daughters from this 1st marriage.
I contacted the 2nd wife of this banker with a long letter,
no reply.
There have been objects-of-arts auctioned in the years
20xx - in UK high value, in Switzerland low value items -
originating from the Swiss castle/estate once belonging
to this family.
I guess the pair has been split within the family/their
entourage and the nr. 2 is sitting somewhere in a Swiss cupboard.
I do not intend to do a tour-de-force to renunite the pair.
Sooner or later it will emerge and if not ...let it be.
I recommend you to get this book, it is worthwile reading
and it is the only one with a non-Russian text
on Russian hunting/collecting which I came across.
I have used this non-ejector Purdey on pigeons and pheasants,
it's comfortable, but not an "allegro-con-brio" affair.
Last edited by felix; 08/10/16 02:21 PM.
