A FINE 12-BORE (2¾IN.) SINGLE-TRIGGER SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR TRUE PIGEON GUN BY J. PURDEY, NO. 24486

VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus … Read more

Details

A FINE 12-BORE (2¾IN.) SINGLE-TRIGGER SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR TRUE PIGEON GUN BY J. PURDEY, NO. 24486
No safe, reverse chokes, non-selective single-trigger, treble-grip action with side-clips, the fences chiselled in relief with stylized oak leaves and acorns, the action, lockplates and furniture engraved with bold foliate-scrolls on a matt ground, with some hardening-colour, highly-figured stock with pistolgrip, Monte Carlo comb and recoil-pad, the Whitworth-steel chopper-lump barrels with matt ventilated rib and intermediate bead-sight

Weight 8lb. 2oz., 15in. pull, 32in. barrels, approx. extra-full & ½ choke, 2¾in. chambers, nitro proof

With a set of interchangeable extra 28in. barrels

Weight 7lb. 12oz., approx. 5/8 & I.C. choke, 2¾in. chambers, nitro proof

In its oak and leather case with canvas cover, the case made to fit 32in. barrels only, the extra 28in. barrels in a separate soft case

Maker's records:

Built 1931 for Mr. Locatelli. 12-bore SLE Trap gun. Single-trigger. No safety catch. Clip sides. 3rd grip. Large scroll engraving. Oak leaf fences. Monte Carlo stock with pistolgrip. 8lb. 2oz.. 15in. stock. 32in. barrels with matt ventilated rib. Whitworth steel. Trigger guard inlaid in gold with Aitken coat-of arms

Special notice

VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer’s premium Sporting Guns. Unless otherwise stated, this gun is a double-barrelled hammerless shotgun. Every gun (blue label), with specific exceptions (yellow label), requires a Shot Gun Certificate

Lot Essay

This gun was used for five years in the live pigeon circuits of Europe

Competition history: Champion, The Miller Memorial, Lebanon, 1955; Champion, The Grand Prix, Havana, 1954; Champion, The Pan American Live Pigeon Championship, Havana, 1956 (engraved on gold plaque inlaid in stock); Prix de Larvotto and Prix Gaston Rambaud, Monte Carlo, 1956; Prix Roger Dubut, Deauville, 1956; major cups at Rome, Milan, Madrid, San Remo, Valencia, Barcelona, Seville; captain of the U.S. Team at the Match of Nations World Championship in Estoril, 1957; Champion, Grand Prix de Vichy, 1958 (engraved on gold plaque inlaid in stock)

The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun was built in 1931

A similar gun was sold in these Rooms, 24 March 1993, lot 32 (£9,775 including premium)

Sold with Griffin & Howe receipt dated 31 May 1955 (for US$ 1,150), and a letter from Purdeys confirming the order for the extra barrels, dated 13 June 1956 (at a cost of £136.10.0.)

See frontispiece, page 66 and back cover

More from FINE SPORTING GUNS AND VINTAGE FIREARMS

View All