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J. PURDEY & SONS
A MATCHED PAIR OF 12-BORE SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR GUNS, NOS. 16073 AND 16073
30-inch barrels with 2 1/2-inch chambers, about improved cylinder and 3/4 choke and 1/4 and 1/4 choke borings respectively, the additional 30-inch barrels for the No.2 gun with 2 1/2-inch chambers about full choke borings, the frames, locks and gold numbered top levers with fine bouquet and scroll engraving, the No.1 gun retaining most of its original hardening colour, the No.2 gun retaining traces of original hardening colour, cocking indicators, 14 1/4-inch well figured stocks, No.2 gun with a leather cheek pad, 6lb. 8oz., nitro proof, No.1 gun barrel wall thickness marginal, No.2 gun barrel wall thickness below the recommended minimum, in their maker's triple leather gun case
S2
The maker confirms that a pair of guns numbered 16072 and 16073 were ordered by G. Ward on 10th June 1895. In 1903 and 1910 pairs of extra barrels were made and fitted for each gun. Purdey records indicate that by 1956 the pair had been split, gun no. 16072 having been purchased by Purdey and subsequently sold on. A replacement No.1 gun was then built, using one of the pairs of original barrels and was numbered 16073 so as not to cause confusion with the gun that Purdey had subsequently sold. The vendor's family is not sure how the second gun came to be built, but it is speculated that the original No.1 gun was stolen in the aftermath of World War II and that Purdey offered to replace it as they had unwittingly sold the original No.1 gun. Research in to the Purdey records is ongoing. |
Sold for £7000
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| Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns |
| Sotheby's, London |
| 14 December 2016 |
| Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply |
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