(A) PAIR OF JAMES PURDEY & SONS 12 GAUGE BAR-IN-WOOD SIDE BY SIDE HAMMER GUNS IN MOTOR CASE.

Circa 1878. A vintage and nice pair of bar-in-wood non-rebounding hammer game guns with 28” blued, sleeved barrels. Barrels have been designated with 2 – 1/2” chambers and extractors. Barrels ribs are tapering, concave with small round brass front bead sights and read “J. PURDEY & SONS. 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET, LONDON.” Barrels ribs are inlaid with gold Roman numerals “I” and “II” at breech. Barrel flats are stamped "SLEEVED", "2 1/2”, "NITRO PROOF", "12 / C", ".729" and "1 1/8". The number “I” gun has both London and Birmingham proofs while “II” only has the Birmingham proof. Number “I” gun lump is stamped “JP” and the number “II” is stamped “J.A”. Bright and shiny case colored actions are with lots of new color are adorned with scrolls, floral gold inlay on hammers and action bar has “J. PURDEY & SONS” in gold. Blacked top levers have been engraved with matching scroll patterns and are numbered “I” and “II”. Bottom of action with “J. PURDEY & SONS LONDON” in circle around engraved screw just ahead of trigger guard. Case hardened double triggers with hinged front trigger(s) are protected by a blacked floral scroll engraved trigger guard which extends through a to full length scroll engraved bottom strap and with gold inlay of the guns serial numbers “10350” and “10351”. Brown and smoky straight grained walnut stocks with finely checkered English straight hand grips have small golden ovals and are finished with checkered butts. Matching splinter forends with case hardened, checkered, and engraved Anson push releases. Case colored escutcheons are number “I” and “II” in gold. Interior iron metal is case color hardened with engraved screws and serial numbers. Guns travel in a James Purdey & Sons makers motor case with canvas outer. Interior case lid with small black "JAMES PURDEY & SONS" case label and storage instruction card. Case supplied with wooden cleaning rod and cleaning accessories. CONDITION: Excellent as restored. Barrels are excellent with bright bores and re-proofs. Actions are excellent. Stocks and forends are excellent with light handling or storage marks. Case is very good with evidence and signs of use. Accessories: Case Barrel Length: (BOTH) 28" Barrel Wall Thickness: (L) .026 (R) .033 (L) .038 (R) .037 Chamber: (BOTH) 2 - 1/2" Choke: (L) .032 (Full) (R).039 (Full) (L) .023 (Modified) (R) .009 (Imp. Cyl) Drop at Comb: (BOTH) 1 - 1/2" Drop at Heel: (BOTH) 2" FFL Status: Antique Gauge: (BOTH) 12 Internal Bore Diameter: (L) .733 (R) .734 (BOTH) .730 Length of Pull: (BOTH) 14 - 3/8" Manufacturer: (BOTH) J. Purdey & Sons Model: (BOTH) Hammer Serial Number: (A) 10350 (B) 10351 Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz