Purdey 12 Bore Side Lock Ejector Shotgun

For sale, on consignment, a splendid example of a James Purdey & Sons 12 bore sidelock ejector shotgun. Purdey has kindly advised this shotgun was made as a hammerless non-ejector game gun in 1897 for Mr W. Mills to match an earlier hammerless non-ejector shotgun 11663. Purdey records show the gun was returned to Purdey in 1904 by Captain W.T. Roden, where it was fitted with a Purdey [Frederick Beesley patented] assisted opening mechanism with ejectors. Purdey records also show the gun was returned to Purdey on 29 January 1920, to be cleaned and serviced for Goldsbrough Mort & Co [Wool Brokers], Leadenhall Buildings, London before it made its way to Australia to spend the next 100 years in the custody of one family. Lock Purdey assisted opening seven pin sidelock ejector Hidden third bite Twin triggers Disc-set strikers Cocking indicators Firm right-hand top lever and carved and engraved fences Automatic gold inlaid “Safe” safety button to top tang Classic Purdey fine rose and scroll engraving to side and base plates, trigger guard - carved/engraved fences Stock Nicely figured European walnut – slight cast off for right hand shot Straight English grip with tear drops and fine classic point-pattern chequering and an unsigned gold escutcheon Length of Pull to centre is 14” or 36cm Chequered butt Firm walnut splinter forend – again with classic point pattern chequering Firm engraved Anson release latch and engraved forend iron Barrels Side by side 30” or 760 mm blued steel barrels [some fading to barrels] Choked Cylinder (R) and Modified (L) 2 ½” or 65mm chambers – well-timed ejectors Very good - bright, clean bores well within proof - gauging .738” [R] and .736” [L] 9” from the breech Sound tapered top game rib engraved “2 James Purdey & Sons Audley House, South Audley Street London. Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid Pressed Steel” Sound bottom [re-laid] rib with a slight ripple to rib about 6” from muzzle Brass bead fore sight London Proof House marks show the gun was nitro-proven for 1 1/8 oz loads. This shotgun presents in very good used condition – with only the slight cosmetic handling and storage marks commensurate with age. The barrels fit tightly on the standing breech - having had a new hinge pin fitted in 1992. The shotgun comes in a leather case, three-piece ebony cleaning rod with mop and brush and later Purdey snap caps. Price plus transfers and shipping to your licenced firearm dealer. Inspection welcome – by appointment - at Andrew Hepner & Sons Fine Guns, Geelong, Victoria.