J. Purdey & Sons Boxlock Hammerless D Quality C&R Blue 28″ Ejectors SXS Double Shotgun, 1908 16 GA

SOLD FOR: $5,025.00
LSB#: 181115RS03

Make: J. Purdey & Sons

Model: Boxlock Hammerless, D Quality

Serial Number: 19452

Year of Manufacture: 1908 (“Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers The Definitive History”, Dallas, P194)

Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 9/16″ Shells

Action Type: Boxlock Hammerless Side by Side Double Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors

Markings: The top of the rib is marked “J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “19452”, the bottom of the left barrel is also marked “CHOKE”. The barrel flats are each marked with “16 / C” in diamond, crown over “GP”, crown over “V”, sword in arm over “NP”, “16”, “NITRO PROOF 1 0Z” and with what we believe to be a maker’s stamp. The right barrel flat is also marked “TRADE / MARK” around crossed cannons and “D * / QUALITY”. The top of the forend iron is marked “452” and the top of the latch housing is marked “19452”. The water table is marked with crown over “V” on each side, “452” on the right and “TRADE / MARK” around crossed cannons and “D * / QUALITY” on the left. Each side of the receiver is marked “J. PURDEY & SONS”. The bottom tang is marked “19452”. The forend iron, receiver, trigger plate, guard and bottom tang have D Quality scroll and floral engraving.

Barrel Length: 28″

Choke: Left: Improved Modified (0.640″), Right Improved Cylinder (0.654″)

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a bead front sight on the front of the solid rib.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, slim, straight grip, straight comb, unmarked initial plate set into teh belly, and a solid orange rubber buttpad. The forend has a spot of light but stubborn residue on the bottom-right behind the checkering, otherwise showing only light handling marks with well defined checkering. The left of the wrist has a small compression between the raised dollshead and the checkering, the right side has a light compression on the top edge of the raised portion, the butt has several scattered faint marks, more on the left than the right. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/2” and 13 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 13 3/4″ and 12 7/8″ to the back of the wood. Drop at comb is 1 1/2″, drop at heel is 1 3/4″. The cast is about neutral. The pad has only light wear with a few spots of slight discoloration from age and oil, in about Fine condition. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case-Colored Receiver

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. The left bore has a few spots of light erosion scattered in the bore, the right has a few more, with most scattered through the last 8″ of the bore.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The barrels have some scattered light marks, the most notable on the right barrel over the forend. The receiver has mostly gone to gray with case-coloring visible only under the lever. There is a spot of wear behind and under the left fence and a few scattered light marks. There is a nick in the right edge of the top tang. The bottom plate has some spots of finish wear along the sides with strong bluing in the middle. The trigger guard has thinning at edges with a few scattered light marks. The bottom tang has handling wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a leather bound hard-sided luggage case with belt straps, combination lock and carry handle, green felt interior with James Purdey & Sons labels including serial-matching label with information about the gun. The case contains accessories including a cleaning rod, leather snap-top case with bore jag, brush and mop, oiler bottle with applicator top and two snap caps. All accessories are in Excellent condition. The case has a few scattered light marks on the exterior and light wear on the straps, in about Fine condition.

Our Assessment: This spectacular side by side was made in 1908 by James Purdey & Sons of London. Purdey is one of the most prestigious gunmakers to come out of England, producing some of the finest guns in the world from 1816 to this very day. Their painstaking attention to detail doesn’t produce many guns, only hitting serial number 30000 in the year 2000, but their efforts pay off. One can see why these are some of the most sought after European shotguns ever made. The Turkish walnut stocks feature exquisite grain patterns. The mechanics are still excellent after 110 years. This shotgun is in Very Good condition, the metal has about 87% of its finish remaining, the balance of the finish is expressed as expected handling wear; the case coloring has faded some but the tones are still visible in protected areas. The bores are mostly bright with only some scattered small spots of light erosion. The shotgun comes in a J. Purdey leather-bound luggage case with a few scattered light marks on the exterior, showing a well preserved interior and house label still attached on the inside of the lid. The case holds a cleaning rod set, some cleaning gear, an oiler and snap-caps. Rarely do firearms that are over 100 years old retain such condition but now is your opportunity to own a legend. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible shotgun can be transferred in California.

The gun weighs 6 lb. 1.2 oz.