JAMES PURDEY NO. 28010 A KEN HUNT THISTLE ENGRAVED 12 BORE SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN WITH EXTRA BEAVERTAIL FOREND IN ITS ORIGINAL CASE WITH ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

JAMES PURDEY NO. 28010 A KEN HUNT THISTLE ENGRAVED 12 BORE SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN WITH EXTRA BEAVERTAIL FOREND IN ITS ORIGINAL CASE WITH ACCESSORIES & FACTORY LETTER

26-932 | Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4″. | S# 28010.

Purdey records indicate gun was completed in December 1975 for H.W. Hoover III (Most likely H. W. “Bunker” Hoover who married Swedish actress Camilla Sparv in 1969.) This fine gun has 26″ chopper lump barrels engraved “J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England.” on swamped narrow game rib set with two white beads. Barrel flats are stamped with 1974 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers at 3-1/4 tons. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#s; left with”A.H.” (barrel maker Alf Harvey). Tube numbers “72787” & “72788” are on loop. Coin finished Beesley side lock action features automatic safety (“SAFE” in gold), gold plated internals, bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and gold plated non-selective single trigger. Action is engraved with near full coverage shaded thistle leaves, blossoms and large scrolls emanating from the mouths of various beasts resembling dogs. This is a signature engraving pattern by the revered Ken Hunt who’s actual signature is on trigger plate. The engraving on action and sideplates is in low relief; however fences are semi-relief engraved with beautifully sculpted scrolls and dogs heads. Action is engraved “J. Purdey & Sons” “London England” on sides, while bottom has maker’s name alone in open field above three standing thistle blossoms. Single beaded trigger guard is engraved with more scroll on bow and S# on tang that extends to ebony grip cap in rifle fashion. Capped pistol grip buttstock is made from an attractive piece of fiddle figured and dark marbled European walnut and measures 15″ over leather covered pad (in records). Stock features standard drop points and grip checkering. The individual gold initials “HWH” are on toeline. Gun is fitted with two matching complete forends; one a long beavertail the other a standard splinter, both fitted with ejectors and with Anson releases. Actioner’s initials are very lightly stamped on both and appear to be “PD” (Peter Delay son of Ben and grandson of Ben Sr.; both of whom were master actioners for Purdey). MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L. .730. R. .731. Restriction: L .007 (IC). R .011 (Lt. Mod). Wall Thickness: L .032. R .031. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/16″. DAC: 1-1/2″-. CAST: neutral. LOP: 15″. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 10 oz. (with splinter forend). WEIGHT: 6 lb. 15 oz. (with beavertail forend). UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun and both forends are housed in their original brown leather “VC” case with stitched leather corners embossed “H.W.H.III” on top. Case is lined in burgundy cloth and has black leather gold embossed Purdey label in lid along with charge card for this particular gun which also gives gun weight with and without beavertail. Case contains exterior straps, rosewood handled turn screw and striker key, bone striker bottle with spare strikers, Purdey marked square oil bottle and snap caps, leather wallet for mops and brushes which are accessories for two piece rosewood and brass cleaning rod. Purdey Factory Letter with specifications which match gun exactly (Ledger listing copied on back; engraving is not specified as usual; stocker is noted as W. O’Brien, Purdey’s top man at the time).  PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. STATUS: CURIO.