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James Purdey & Sons announced today that its commemorative Trio of guns, built to mark its bicentenary year in 2014, will be sold at auction through sealed bids as of the Glorious Twelfth. The trio comprises two shotguns and one double rifle, accompanied by an oak and leather travel case, and a custom-built glass display case. The auction closes on the 19th December 2014 and the winning bidder will be informed of their success in writing by Friday 16 January 2015.
In order to place a bid, contact James Purdey & Sons Ltd directly, who will provide further information on the guns along with details of the bidding process.
Once the winning bid has been finalised, Purdey will use a portion of the proceeds to make a charitable contribution to The Prince’s Trust and The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust, providing significant investment into the British Gun Trade.
Each historic model of the commemorative Trio has been carefully chosen to represent key design, innovation and craftsmanship milestones in the company’s 200-year history. Each piece features engraving or decoration representative of the era in which its model was first made, the Purdey bicentenary logo and a special serial number.
The Bicentenary Trio comprises:
· Classic 12-bore Side-by-Side Game Gun
This hammerless ejector game gun has been in continuous production since 1880. It features two factors unique to Purdey: a self-opening action designed by Frederick Beesley (known as the “Beesley action”), which speeds up reloading time, and supreme attention to detail in its manufacture ensuring every gun is fitted properly, has perfect balance and shoots consistent patterns — all qualities that define a Purdey shotgun to this day. The engraving is a fine scroll with naïve game bird scene vignettes in the Kell School style.
· 20-bore Damas Over and Under Gun
Purdey has been making over-and-under guns since 1923, but its reputation for making the best in the world was cemented when it acquired James Woodward & Company, a London gunmaker noted for its outstanding over-and-unders, in 1948. A design based on that of the Woodward was launched in 1950 and has been progressively refined over the past 60 years — this design is still in production today. The Purdey Bicentenary Trio model has been made from Damasteel, a specialised steel devoid of impurities and with a tensile strength far greater than the steel normally used for gunmaking. The modern Damasteel uses state-of-the-art 21st century techniques, yet appears visually similar to the Damascus steel commonly used in the manufacture of barrels in the 19th Century. These patterns are unique to each gun and are aesthetically so striking that the metal acts as its own decoration, with no need for further embellishment.
· .470 Express Rifle
In 1865, developments by James Purdey and his son, James the Younger, transformed relatively low velocity, short range rifles into rifles that could not only use more powerful charges, but had faster, more accurate and longer range projectiles. This was achieved by boring deeper groves in the barrel, removing the time consuming need to ram bullets down onto the powder charge. These new groves held a corresponding two-winged bullet that was breech loaded. The resultant high speed and flat trajectory of the bullet reminded James the Younger of the new express trains at the time, which travelled at speeds higher than anyone had previously imagined. From this analogy the term “Express Rifle” was born. Many double rifles of lighter calibres than the 1907 designed .470 were exported to Indian Maharajahs in the second half of the 19th century and they were embellished with scenes of the animals they hunted, much of the work completed in gold. The Trio’s .470 celebrates this style of engraving.
The accompanying treble Motor Case took its inspiration from a case made for King George VI. It is built in oak and leather with a red goatskin interior lining. The London made Display Cabinet is made from the finest mahogany. A shallow drawer is home to the brass plaque that celebrates all the craftsmen associated with the build of the collection. Another drawer, lined with the same red goatskin from the case, houses the accessories and gold plated cleaning equipment. Impact-proof, tubular glass, discreet lighting and a turntable base enables the Trio to be seen from any angle.
Each stage of the making of the Purdey Bicentenary Trio has been documented to produce a visual story that showcases the detailed production process in its entirety. This special album will be provided to the successful bidder.
Please don't tell Purdey's that I am looking at these wonderful guns. I am sure my kind is not allowed to look at such things, much less attempt to purchase one. It's still so nice to peek, however!Vikram wrote:Anyone going to put in a bid?
Best-
Vikram
I thought about it but if I sell the house, sell the cars,dispose of my workshop tools and all the guns--- no, won't be enough---Oh! Well.Vikram wrote:
Anyone going to put in a bid?
Best-
Vikram