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.
