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I may have an opportunity to purchase from a friend a very nice Purdey 12 bore bar in wood hammer gun. Gun was restored in the UK by some well known craftsman. It comes in an oak and leather case.
I think at the price he is talking about it could be a bargain. But I have never been crazy about BIW guns.


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History and craftsmanship it's
A purdey

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I’m sure you have the factory records available, but many bar-in-wood hammer guns are conversions.

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Be absolutely certain of sound woodwork on it. Bit of a nightmare to find a good stocker willing to undertake re-stocking biws.

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Originally Posted by Daryl Hallquist
I’m sure you have the factory records available, but many bar-in-wood hammer guns are conversions.
I am not sure how true a statement that is as I have seen very few 'conversions' BiW guns. I assume you are talking about a ML to BL. For the makers that specialised in BiW guns like Purdey, Westley Richards and Horsley, BiW was the norm during certain periods of production.

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There are a number of versions of Purdey Bar in Wood guns with some of the first versions having back action locks with a snap action thumb leaver opening. Other early Purdey Bar in wood guns have a rather strange top rib arrangement rather detracting from the guns looks. Also Purdey did build two distinct opening methods the early snap action guns where fitted with a thumb leaver opening while the later versions were top leaver opening. The later guns where built with bar actions having rebounding locks. Now here I will say that I do have a vested interest in Purdey Bar in Wood guns because I have used one continually for the last fifty plus years without fault. The gun I have is a second patent model thumb opening snap action fitted with rebounding locks and a bar action, this model Richard Beaumont did say had one of the smoothest lines and one of the most pleasing looking guns Purdey made if you would like to own one they would still build you one but no price was mentioned.

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Talked to my friend, it was made in 1882. Has Whitworth steel barrels. Case is not original but is period.
Asking 16k


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The latest vintage Purdey hammer gun is the "bar in iron" modern style, rarely made in pigeon gun configuration with Whitworth barrels proved for 1 1/4 ounce loads, and marked as such. These guns sell for the high dollar, but are worth searching for. They are the best Purdey hammer guns ever made and are suitable for all modern loads, as are the hammer guns made by Purdey today. Unfortunately, the Purdey hammer guns being made today sell for an even higher dollar than the available pigeon guns in the bar in iron style. Like our original poster, I am not too fond of bar in wood guns because of their usual low condition when found. However, some Westleys can sometimes be found in unmolested condition, in which case they may be good buys.

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Mike I feel that you should obtain the serial number, having this you can contact Purdey for the guns initial build specification and date of sale. Photograph of the guns barrel flats because they can also give its history though not so important to you folks over there though it will say a lot, the bore diameter 9 inches from the breech if it is a 12 bore any measurement over .740 at 9 inches means it will be out of British proof. Barrel wall thickness that will be your decision, as far as cases go my case is of the correct period but not the guns original though this does not matter a lot to many folks. Purchasing veteran guns can be a money pit but also a joy to own, another member has mentioned the stock I can tell you that a top craftsman made stock for one of these guns the cost will take your breath away by thinking you have purchased a house.


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Friend of mine has a Purdey BiW 20 gauge in with CJO. IIRC Claudio has already completed the restock aspect of the restoration.


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