Spring 2025 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
May 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2025
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
FINE AS FOUND JAMES PURDEY TOP LEVER HAMMER DOUBLE SHOTGUN
01-26115
Cal. 10 Bore 2-7/8″
S# 9233 (1874)
This lovely big bore has 31″ three stripe fine damascus barrels. Narrow top rib is engraved “J. Purdey. 314 1/2 Oxford Street, London”. This gun was made three years before the name change to James Purdey & Sons and nine years before the move to Audley St. Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and S#’s are on bottoms of barrels. Case hardened iron bar top lever action is fitted with front spring locks having tall serpentine rebounding hammers. Action features very early use of side clips to stabilize lateral movement of barrels (A Purdey Innovation) and double triggers. Gun appears to be #2 of a pair with the # “2” stamped on bottom of rear barrel lump, watertable and inside of forend iron. Action is engraved with 80% coverage meticulously executed small scroll most likely the work of James Lucas; head Purdey engraver at the time. Each lockplate is engraved “Purdey”. Bottom of action is engraved “Purdey’s Patent” and “Patent” is on top lever. Trigger guard is engraved with typical medium scroll and S# is on tang. Straight grip buttstock of very finely marbled and lightly stump figured European walnut measures 14-1/4″ over checkered wood butt. Stock features usual point pattern checkering and vacant silver oval on toeline. Matching splinter forend with fancy steel tip attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through shaped steel escutcheons.
MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .787. R .791. Restriction: L .000 (Cyl). R .000 (Cyl). (Gun made before choke boring came into general use.) Wall thickness: L .035. R .031. STOCK: DAH: 2-11/16″. DAC: 1-9/16″. CAST: very slightly off. LOP: 14-1/4″. WEIGHT: 8 lb. 4 oz. Factory records indicate that the gun was completed in 1874 for J.C. Grubb & Co. Philadelphia.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
