J. PURDEY NO. 26599 A STUNNING LYNTON MCKENZIE GOLD INLAID & ENGRAVED SLE SINGLE TRIGGER 2 BARREL SET GAME GUN WITH ORIGINAL CASE & ACCESSORIES

J. PURDEY NO. 26599 A STUNNING LYNTON MCKENZIE GOLD INLAID & ENGRAVED SLE SINGLE TRIGGER 2 BARREL SET GAME GUN WITH ORIGINAL CASE & ACCESSORIES

| Cal. 12 Ga.  | 2-3/4″ & 3″ mag. | (1956). | S# 26599. | 26-1010/MGM |

This very attractive gun was furnished with 2 sets of chopper lump barrels; (1) 26″ chambered for 2-3/4″ cartridges and (2) 28″ chambered for 3″ magnum. Both barrel sets are fitted with narrow raised matted ribs with gold bands at rears. Tops of barrels are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons.” and with their famous Audley house, Audley street London address. Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs with 26″ barrels at 3-1/4 tons and 28″ barrels at 3-1/2 tons. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#’s and barrel makers initials “JA” (J. Aldous) are on both sets. Tube numbers “66367” & “66368” are on reinforced splinter of 28″ barrels; “66365” & “66366” are on 26″ barrels. Robust coin finished Beesley patent self opening sidelock action features automatic safety (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), side clips, hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators and Boss type single non-selective trigger. Action is traditionally filed. Embellishment is by the late, truly great, Lynton McKenzie the Mozart of late 20th century firearms engravers who was born in 1940 and died in 1999. By the age of 14 he was doing work for some of the foremost British gun makers. He was a true master of dramatic scroll. His scroll work on this firearm is off set by relief gold inlaid game scenes in Bulino backgrounds; with a pair of Canada geese setting into an estuary on left lockplate and a quatro of pintail decending into marsh on right. Bottom of action is embellished with relief gold inlaid turkey taking wing. A flying pigeon is on bottom of grip cap. All this work is outlined by flush gold wire borders. Fences are deep relief carved with flowing scroll. They are outlined at juncture with barrels by feather engraved gold bands. These bands are also found around grip cap. Left side of trigger plate is engraved “Lynton McKenzie”. Small bow trigger guard has matching scroll on bow and S# on tang which extends to grip cap in rifle or heavy gun fashion. Buttstock is made of a dramatic piece of very finely fiddle figured and well streaked European walnut and measures 14-1/2″ over thin black pigskin covered pad. Matching long beavertail ejector forend has Anson release (forend serves both barrel sets). Interior of iron is stamped with actioners initials “BD” (Ben Delay Sr.) MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: (1) 26″ L .730. R .729. Restriction: L .008 (IC). R .005 (IC). Wall Thickness: L .036. R .038. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/8″. DAC: 1-1/2″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/2″. WEIGHT: 7lb. 15 oz. BBLS: (2) 28″ Bore Diameter: L .730. R .729. Restriction: L.014 (Mod). R .006 (IC). Wall Thickness: L .033. R .032. STOCK: DAH:2-1/8″. DAC: 1-1/2″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/2″. WEIGHT: 8 lb. 0 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun and both sets of barrels are housed in their original oak and tan leather case with brass corners and central medallion. Case is lined in burgundy cloth and a black leather Purdey label is in lid. A paper charge card for this gun and both sets of barrels is also in lid. Case contains a pair of Purdey marked snap caps, square oil bottle, and pull through cleaning kit. Unmarked items include horn handled striker key, turn screw, broken case extractor, striker bottle containing spare strikers and springs. Cleaning equipment includes brass and ebony cleaning rod and assorted mops, jags and brushes. Also included are 2 keys. Purdey Factory Letter indicating gun was completed in June 1956 for James H. Kimberley. Engraver, as usual not specified. (Ledger entry copy on back with note that gun is now (Dec. 11,1995) engraved and gold inlaid by Lynton McKenzie). PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. CURIO GUN