doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com New Vs Old (pre 1940) Purdey?

Which is better? A pre 1940 Purdey or a new one that you have made today. Your choice as to the definition of "better".

I dont think that question has an answer. Opinions, but there is a lot goes into it. Romance for one, Prolly a "new" Purdey is better made, due to advances in technology and metallurgy,but is it better? As a whole? I tend to put way too much value on the hands that made the gun, the people, the craft, the history. Our "Family" Purdey was made about 1905. If my Dad were alive you would be hard put to convince him it wasnt the best ever made! Any answer IMHO would be too subjective. I love to think that the same pairs of hands, worked on all of my Lefevers! These folks ate lunch together, drank beer togther and made guns together..So it was, I imagine, at Purdeys...

My experience is that there's a greater variance in the finish and, particularly, the engraving on the post-war guns than in the pre-war guns. Some of the post-war guns are every bit the equal of pre-war guns in this regard, and others are not.

I would personaly prefer an older gun. The challenge, and therefore some of the fun, comes in finding the one that fits your personal demands. With a new one, it will be made to measure. The difference in $$$ however can be great. A high condition game gun from the 1930's might cost as much as $50,000. More if a 16, 20, or a 28; still half the price of new. Earlier 12 bores in fine condition can sell for less than $30,000; and guns that need a bit of TLC for under 20. Another option is to buy a gun with good barrels and action and have it stocked to fit you.

All the best, Mal