2009

TRULY FINE EXTRA FINISH BY KELL, ?50?S VINTAGE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
TRULY FINE EXTRA FINISH BY KELL, ?50?S VINTAGE
JAMES PURDEY HEAVY PROOF SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN IN SUPERB ORIGINAL CONDITION WITH CASE. Cal. 12 Ga., 2 3/4". S# 26638. (1956). Bbls. 27" Chopper lump fitted with very narrow matted game rib are engraved "J Purdey & Sons." "Audley House South Audley Street, London. England." on tops. Bbl. flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2 3/4". Bottoms of bbls. are stamped with serial numbers, and barrel makers initials "G.W" (George Wood). Tube numbers "65377" and "65378" are on loop. Casehardened Beesley patent self opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action and lockplates are engraved with near full coverage large open broad shaded scroll with strap work highlights, as originated by, and in this case executed by, the revered Harry Kell (per factory letter). "J. Purdey & Sons" is on the front part of each lockplate, as well as on bottom of action over "London" "England". Fences are finely full relief carved in oak leaf and acorn motif, as usually found in this "extra finish" pattern. Blued top lever and trigger guard are also engraved with acanthus scroll. Serial number is on trigger guard tang. Dense, nicely marbled, and strikingly stump/ fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 1/8" over black leather covered pad. Stock features usual drop points and point pattern checkering at grip. Individual gold initials "M V B" are inlet on toeline. Factory records indicate this gun was made for Mrs. Sherburn M. Becker. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Actioners initials "M.T" (Maurice Timbers) are on iron. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Makers tan leather motor case with stitched leather corners is embossed "M. V. B." on lid. Interior is lined in purple cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label along with charge card for this particular gun in lid. Case contains Purdey marked square oil bottle, two horn handled striker keys, pull-through 12 ga. cleaning kit, two piece rosewood and brass cleaning rod with mops and jag, and a 1929 dated Purdey Guns instruction booklet. Bore diameters: left -.731, right - .731. Restriction: left - .025 (mod), right - .008 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left - .035, right - .034. DAH: 2 7/16". DAC: 1 9/16". No cast. WEIGHT: 6 lbs. 10 oz. CONDITION: extra fine, mostly original. Bbls. have over 95% what appears to be original blue, thinned a bit on sides, which is possibly an old reblue. Action retains approx. 85-90% original casehardening color, pleasingly silvered on fences and beads. Lockplates have nearly all of their original color. Hinge pin retains most of its temper blue, as do lock pin heads and other pins. Back portion of safety is silvered. Forend iron retains most of its original blue. Forend tip is considerably silvered. Trigger guard has blue thinning on bow and silvering at grip. Stocks retain over 90% original "slackum" finish thinning on high edges with a number of light marks and dings. Checkering is somewhat worn and dark. Pad appears to be original, slightly flattened at heel. Bores are excellent, sharp and shiny throughout, with little evidence of dents or repairs. Action is tight. Bbls. are on face. Ejectors are in time. Drop is down a bit, iron just beginning to contact bottom of action. Case leather is still light in color. Straps and handle are good. Interior has a few rubs and compressions. Accessories are fine. A truly exceptional, good handling Purdey game gun; to have this gun built today would cost well over $150,000.00. (20-917/MGM73). CURIO. $30,000-40,000.