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!
DESIRABLE JAMES PURDEY WOODWARD TYPE O/U SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN WITH CASE & ACCESSORIES
25-934
Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4″
S# 29223 (1991)
Being eminently traditional; Purdey’s was late to the market with their over & under shotgun. They tried many designs throughout the teens, 20’s & 30’s and finally, with their acquisition of Woodward’s in 1948, had a satisfactory design patented by Woodward’s in 1913. This 12 bore game gun has 28″ demi-block barrels fitted with narrow matted solid rib. Right side of top barrel is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons Audley House South Audley Street. London. England.” Barrel flats are stamped with 1990 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers. Bottom barrel is stamped with S# and the unknown # “76687 8”. No barrel maker’s initials are found. Case hardened low profile sidelock action features automatic safety (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), reinforced frame, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators and single non-selective trigger. Action and lockplates are engraved in traditional Purdey house style with well cut small scroll surrounding rose bouquets. Front of each lockplate is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons” within an ovate scrolled device. Bottom of action is engraved with maker’s name and address in front of and behind forend iron mortice. Small bow trigger guard with rose and scroll on bow has S# gold inlaid on tang. Prince of Wales grip buttstock made of lightly crotch figured European walnut measures 15″ over thin black leather covered pad. (LOP to end of wood is 14-3/8″.) Stock features classic drop points, grip checkering and vacant gold oval. Slim one piece ejector forend with Anson release has initials “AS” on iron. (Tony Smith is listed as a barrel maker in 2012.)
MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: O .729. U .728. Restriction: O.015 (mod). U .013 (light mod). Wall thickness: O.033. U .034. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/4″. DAC: 1-9/16″. CAST: about 1/2″ off. LOP: 15″. WEIGHT: 7 lb. 12 oz.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun is housed in what appears to be its original brown leather VC case with stitched leather corners. Top is embossed “A.G.W.”. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth. A paper label of the type used 1986-91 is in lid. Also present is a charge card for this particular gun with specifications and chokes. Case contains two piece cleaning rod with mop, jag and brush in leather wallet. Purdey bench cloth, round plated oil bottle and two Purdey marked snap caps.
STATUS: MODERN
