2058

VERY INTERESTING EARLY A. FRANCOTTE PURDEY'S

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
VERY INTERESTING EARLY A. FRANCOTTE PURDEY'S

PATENT 12 BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN BUILT FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET. Cal. 12 Ga. S# 18527. Bbls. 28" 2 1/2". Sleeved bbls. w/ matted concave tapered game rib w/ sm. brass front bead & rib legend "A. FRANCOTTE LICENSED BY J. PURDEY & SONS VON LENGERKE & DETMOLD NEW YORK U.S. AGENTS". Blued bbl. flats w/ proof marks & marked "SLEEVED", also noting 2 1/2 inch chamber & "NOT FOR BALL". Point pattern checkered splinter forearms w/ full coverage scroll engraved irons & uncheckered diamond at center w/ Anson push button type release. Full sidelock action w/ Purdey self opening system is beautifully engraved in best quality English rose & scroll pattern w/ gold washed pins on locks. Bottom of action near full coverage rose & scroll engraved w/ maker's name at center. Gun made w/ double triggers (front trigger articulated), extractors, auto safety & Purdey's patent self opening system. Water table w/ S#, proof marks & sm. import mark. Bbl. fences are fabulously sculpted in colver leaf pattern in relief, have side clips & top of action is near full coverage rose & scroll engraved, as is the blued top lever. Top tang w/ geometric border design & stamped under top lever "PURDEY'S PATENT 1006" has sm. gold inlaid "SAFE" in front of safety button. Blued long tang trigger guard near full coverage rose & scroll engraved w/ S# at grip & engraved screws. Finely figured European walnut buttstock w/ nicely carved tear drops behind locks, point patterned checkering through the wrist & terminates w/ a full checkered butt. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Housed in a dark brown leather case made by EQUITACION Y CAZA" of Seville Spain has green felt interior & brass furniture. DAC: 1 9/16". DAH: 2 3/8". LOP: 14 3/4". Right: Bore diameter: .728. Restriction: .050(extra full). Minimum wall thickness: .039. Left: Bore diameter: .726. Restriction: .046 (extra full). Minimum wall thickness: .040. Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz. CONDITION: excellent as competently refurbished. Bbls., sleeved as noted above, retain nearly all of their competent custom rust blue finish. Action retains nearly all of its light cyanide case hardened finish. Engraving is crisp & clear throughout w/ no detail having been lost. Forearm appears original as restored & checkering expertly recut. Buttstock is an expert well done replacement w/ superb fit & finish throughout & retains nearly all of its custom hand rubbed finish w/ only minor handling marks & impressions. Bores are bright & shiny. Gun is quite tight on face. Mechanics are crisp. Self opening system functions perfectly. Lever is far right of center. Case is good to very good w/ scattered marks & rubs. Interior is excellent w/ only beginning soiling & rubs. This cataloguer, who has for more than 35 years studied Best Quality American guns and has always felt the bbl. sculpting on high grade guns was amongst one of the most beautiful appointments a maker could add, finds the sculpting on the breech balls on this fine gun most pleasing & impressive. PROVENANCE: sale history from Holt's Auction 12/12/2013 lot 1455 (sticker on side of case). (22-1122/JL). CURIO. $3,000-5,000.