Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
A SCARCE 12-BORE ADAMS 1879 PATENT LEVER-COCKING ROUNDED-BAR SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR, serial no. 10490,
for 1879, 28 1/8in. sleeved nitro barrels (in 1992), the rib engraved 'J. PURDEY & SONS. 314 1/2. OXFORD STREET. LONDON.', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/4 and 1/2 choke, action incorporating toplever variant lever-cocking William Adams patent design, patent no. 1128 of 20th March 1879, with side-clips and finely carved in high relief with leaf designs, elongated toplever, automatic safety with silver-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, large protruding tumbler pivots with cocking-indicators, rounded bar, fine acanthus scroll engraving with floral bouquets, the underside with 'PURDEY'S PATENT', brushed finish, 14 3/4in. figured stock (minor insert repair rear of left lockplate) including 1in. rubber recoil pad, weight 6lb. 10oz., in a green canvas and leather hammergun case with Thomas Bland trade label
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun was completed as No.1 of a pair on the 19th August, 1879 for an H.M. Evans
Literature: In his definitive book 'JAMES PURDEY & SONS GUN AND RIFLE MAKERS. TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF EXCELLENCE', Donald Dallas notes that prior to the 1880 patent Beesley action, Purdey's did use various designs of hammerless action, including Gibbs & Pitt and William Adams. William Adams was a Purdey gunmaker in the 1870's and Purdey's actually applied and paid for the registering of his 1879 patent and they also paid him a sum of £5 - thus giving them unrestricted rights to use the design in their line up. Adams would go on to work with Stephen Grant and Boss & Co. (and would help co-design the first pattern of Boss single trigger with John Robertson).
Donald also notes that just 31 hammerless guns appear in the Purdey records prior to 1880
Other Notes: The No.2 gun for this pair was sold through these auction rooms, as Lot 1406 in July 2022
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions. Please note all Lots are listed in accordance with UK Law, for overseas buyers, please ensure you are familiar with your relevant local firearms and customs regulations before bidding.
Estimate £800-1,200
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act