(C) J. PURDEY & SONS BEST QUALITY 12 BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN.

Circa 1956 per "James Purdey & Sons: Gun and Rifle Makers: Two Hundred Years of Excellence" by Dallas. Chopper lump barrels, with a raised, concave, stippled, tapering rib with brass bead front sight, engraved on tubes "J. Purdey & Sons" and "Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England", fit with a hidden third fastener, and relieved for sideclips. Barrel flats with London British nitro proofs for a 12 gauge with 2 - 3/4" chambers and a nominal .729 IBD in both barrels at 3 - 1/4 tons. Tube numbers "66453" and "66454" at forearm loop, "26620" on each tube, and discretely signed Purdey and "GW" for barrel maker George Wood. Underside of rib engraved "Made in England". Splinter forearm fit with an Anson plunger release at forearm tip, and checkered in point pattern, with central vacant diamond. Engraved in typical scroll work on exterior, including a bouquet of roses at exterior iron. Interior iron with matching serial number and "B.D" actioner's initials for Ben Delay. Action flats with CP proof and disc set strikers, breech face with sideclips. Case colored sidelock action with cocking indicators, engraved with nicely cut Purdey house rose and scroll with "J. Purdey & Sons" behind bar, "J . Purdey & Sons / London / England" in vacant oval on bottom of action. Trigger guard with long backstrap engraved with rolling scroll and florals protects a single mechanical trigger, with a barrel selector abutting the trigger on right side for a right handed shooter, "L" inlaid in gold. Nicely streaked walnut stock with English straight grip, checkered in point pattern about the wrist, and built with teardrops behind actions. Brass oval at toe line, probably post factory, as the work is a bit crude for Purdey factory. Stock terminates in a black line spacer and a Pachmayr basketweave recoil pad. In a canvas slip-wrapped leather motor case, with Purdey trade label in lid, and containing accessories comprising a 2 piece cleaning rod, walnut handle with female threaded head, currently fit with a brass brush, key, Purdey and Sons branded Selvyt cloth, and pair Purdey snapcaps. CONDITION: Very good, retaining the vast majority of the factory bluing on barrels with period wear throughout, most noticeable an area of silvering scratches ahead of forearm. Forearm very good, somewhat dry, with some minor impressions and handling marks, but free of cracks or chips. Actioncase colors are very good, silvering at edges and carry areas, approximately 50%. Stock is very good with finish added to restore luster, and some handling marks and impressions throughout. Mechanically fine, bores are very good with some minor frosting, ejectors are strong and in time. Canvas slip has some tearing but is complete and present, case is likewise complete with some age related distress, but good+. Accessories: Case, Accessories Barrel Length: 30" Barrel Wall Thickness: (L) .031 (R) .034 Chamber: 2 - 3/4" Choke: (L) .042 (R) .022 Drop at Comb: 1 - 1/2" Drop at Heel: 2 - 3/8"- FFL Status: Curio & Relic Gauge: 12 Gauge Internal Bore Diameter: (BOTH) .731 Length of Pull: 14 - 1/2", cast slightly off for a RH shooter Manufacturer: J. Purdey & Sons Model: Best Serial Number: 26620 Weight: 7 lbs 3.5oz