Details of Lot 223
J. PURDEY & SONS
A SCARCE 12-BORE TOP LEVER BAR-IN-WOOD HAMMER LIVE PIGEON GUN, NO. 11922, A TWO BARREL SET

29 1/2-inch Whitworth steel barrels with 2 3/4-inch chambers, about 3/4 choke borings, mid extension, file-cut flat top rib, the later interchangeable 29 1/2-inch Whitworth steel chopper-lump barrels by the maker with 2 3/4-inch chambers, about 1/4 and 3/4 choke borings, file-cut flat top rib, mid extension, the frame, rebounding bar locks, hammers and top lever with fine bouquet and scroll engraving and retaining some faint original hardening colour, 14 3/4-inch well figured stock including 1 1/2-inch well matched extension, 7lb. 1oz., nitro proof, first set of barrels right barrel wall thickness below recommended minimum, second set of barrels left barrel wall thickness below recommended minimum, in its later leather case with accessories, etc
S2

The maker confirms that the gun was built in 1884 for the Compte de Casserta who won the Grand Prix du Casino, Monte Carlo in 1884, most likely with this gun. This is illustrated as plate 53 in Richard Akehurst's classic book "Game Guns & Rifles".

The gun is being sold to benefit the Gunmakers' Charitable Trust.
Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns
Pulborough, West Sussex
9 December 2020
Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply