rare, purdey, first model, under snap action, thumbhole lever

The earliest Purdey guns made on their under bolt snap action patent opened by under levers accessed through a hole in trigger guard bow. This example features 30" fine Damascus barrels  engraved "2"  on narrow, concave game rib. Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and Birmingham nitro re-proofs for 2 - 1/2" chambers, along with Purdey's four bullet trademark. Serial numbers with B suffix are stamped on bottoms of barrels. Round bodied action with long first model under lever is fitted with peninsula back spring locks with round bodied serpentine hammers having vestigial pinfire type heads. This early centerfire gun has firing pins retracted from case heads by sliding links, actuated by slots in backs of hammers.  Hammers have pads filed into front edges striking these links to fire cartridge. This firing mechanism was protected by Purdey's patent number 424 of 1865. (A similar example no. 7202 with Jones underlever is illustrated on page 186 of JAMES PURDEY AND SONS TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF EXCELLENCE by Donald Dallas.) Action and locks are engraved with 60% coverage well cut shaded scroll. Top of action is engraved "PATENT". "Purdey" is on each lockplate. Remnants of serial number are on trigger guard bow. Well marbled European walnut straight grip butt stock measures 14" over steel butt plate. Standard flat top pattern checkering is at grip. Matching splinter fully checkered forend with “1" engraved on tip, attaches to barrels with sliding side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. 

This high grade flintlock shotgun is something of an enigma and worthy of further research. The locks are engraved WALLACE and from their style and quality would appear to date around 1800 -1815. There is a silver escutcheon behind the barrel tang engraved with the clan Gordon crest which provides a Scottish connection which is further supported with the Wallace engraved lock which, considering the quality, was most likely made by James Wallace, an Edinburgh gunsmith who was in business from 1776 to 1841.

However, the 30 1/2 inch barrel was made by the famous Paris barrel maker Francois Ovid BLETTERIE (his makers mark is under the barrel at the breech and the barrel rib is engraved “BLETTERIE a Paris”. Bletterie is listed in Der Neue Stockel as being in business in Paris in 1762 which is consistent with period style of the Damascus twist barrel — 40 years earlier than the Wallace lock. In addition, all of the silver furniture is in the French style and period of the barrel and the butt plate has three French silver hallmarks which unfortunately are not clear enough to date. One thing for sure, there is a story with this period custom made shotgun with the clan Gordon connection worthy of further research.

oldguns.ca, virtual museum collection

A 12 bore, side by side, hammer action shotgun by James Adsett of Upper Bridge Street, Canterbury, Serial No. 2347, 30 inch Damascus barrels with engine turned top rib bearing makers name and address, barrels have been reproofed, bright steel hammers and actions profusely decorated with rose and scrollwork, walnut stock and fore end with chequered grips and composite butt plated.  The gun was restored in England in the 1950’s and remains in very nice condition.

oldguns.ca, virtual museum collection.

description coming