2124 J. PURDEY NO. 7699 A VERY RARE 20 BORE BAR-IN-WOOD

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 Nov 07 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,000.00 USD
Estimated at 4,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
THUMB HOLE HAMMER GUN WITH REBOUNDING HAMMERS & FACTORY LETTER. Cal. 20 Ga. 2-1/2". S# 7699. Factory records indicate this gun was completed in 1868 for Mr. Peters Esq. as an 18 bore "The No 1 of a pair of hammer game guns." with 29-1/2" barrels. Currently the barrels still measure 29-1/2" and are made of very fine three stripe damascus. They are fitted with narrow sunken game rib engraved "J. Purdey. 314 1/2 Oxford Street London." Barrel flats are stamped with original London black powder proofs for 18 bore and 1982 London nitro re-proofs for "20" gauge "2-1/2" chambers at "3 TONS". Barrels are fitted with early type yoke extractor system. Coin finished second model thumb hole snap action features front spring locks with rebounding serpentine hammers having stylized dolphin heads. Action and locks are engraved with beautifully cut deep miniscule scroll as would become "house" style done by James Lucas. Top of action is engraved "PATENT"; each lockplate "PURDEY". Thumb hole type trigger guard is engraved with open scroll and has S# on tang. Straight grip buttstock made of attractive and well streaked European walnut measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt. Point pattern checkering is at grip and a vacant silver oval is on toeline. Bar-in-wood stock is of Purdey's early style with wood extending forward to cover hinge pin. Matching fully checkered forend with inlet steel tip attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through shaped steel escutcheons. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .542. R .544. Restriction: L .000 (cyl). R .000 (cyl). (Gun made before choke was even invented.). Wall Thickness: L .020. R .020. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/16". DAC: 1-1/2". CAST: about 1/2" off. LOP: 14-1/2". WEIGHT: 5 lb. 6 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Purdey Factory Letter with above information along with stock length 14-1/2", rebounding locks, and stocked by Robertson. (Ledger listing copied on back.) CONDITION: fine as reconditioned most likely at time of reproof. Barrels retaining over 95% of best re-brown with excellent definition to pattern. Action and locks cleaned to silver gray. Engraving remains sharp and clear except on trigger guard and bottom of action where it shows some loss of detail. Trigger guard is pitted. Stocks retain nearly all of a very fine refinish with some subsequent marks and scratches. Checkering competently recut. Area of buttstock around action bar shows considerable epoxy repair with wood slightly under metal; presently sound. Both ears of sidebolt chipped off and a portion of the escutcheon is missing at bottom. Bores are bright and shiny. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. A great handling, elegant little hammer gun perfect for woodcock and quail. PROVENANCE: Malcolm G. MacGregor Collection. (01-28996/MGM). ANTIQUE. $4,000-8,000.