What would it cost to re-barrel a 16ga Purdey by the maker?

By someone else?

Does anyone in America do this type of work?

Is there anyone in America who regularly ships guns to repair to and back from England?

Sleeving might be a more cost effective approach. Lots of folks in USA do that...Geo

Sleeving might be a more cost effective approach. Lots of folks in USA do that. look at 10 K for rebarrel at a minimum versus 2.5k for sleeving...Geo

I do not want to sleeve unless i could get TIG invisible sleeving, which I believe could only be done in England.

Is there an agent of some sort with contacts in England who could handle the export import and rebarrelling action?

You could send them over to the UK and have Bill Blacker do them.
He is the best. Check out his web site.
I have a friend who has a Purdey Pigeon gun that once belonged to the King of Spain. The barrels were so tight he had them sent over to Bill Blacker to open the chokes and have them re-proofed.
There are people here in the US that could handle getting them over there.
He makes barrels for many London Bests.

I would think a new set of barrels from Purdey would be around 20K.

I would contact Charles at British Sporting Arms. I would think he could help getting them over there and maybe make some recommendations.

I do not want to sleeve unless i could get TIG invisible sleeving, which I believe could only be done in England.

Is there an agent of some sort with contacts in England who could handle the export import and rebarrelling action?

Our own Steve Bertram (SKB) provides an export/import service and has contacts with the folks who do sleeving or re-barreling in the UK. His ad is on the home page here...Geo

Based on the last conversation I had with H&H, that might just be the price in £, not $.

I suspect Toby Barclay will be along soon, and he should be able to shed some light on all of the options in the UK. And yes, Steve Bertram would do a great job with the export.

There are few barrel makers plying their trade for the public in the UK, Bill Blacker being the best known. He quoted me about £10000 inc. VAT to re-barrel a Purdey 12b Hgun in steel quite recently.
There are a few extra costs like engraving and blacking etc.
The ease and cost, or lack of, getting the gun to and fro depends a lot on the gun's age. If pre 1897 (UK antique watershed) it is fairly straightforward as the gun can be carried in and out of the US/UK with minimal paperwork.
Once beyond 1896 it gets a lot more complicated and expensive leaving the UK and once beyond 1898 it needs an ATF Form 6 to get it back in to the USA (unless the documented owner is hand carrying it).
There are quite a few issues importing/exporting and someone like Charles at BSA can sort them all out for you but at a price.

I thank all for their input and i very much appreciate it and it has helped.

I think $20K for new barrels is way off the mark. A few years ago the cost was $35K. Check with BSA, since they are the Purdey importer, Charles could give you an idea.

Another choice is Rafael Rathier in France, ex Holland- and Hartmann&Weiss barrelmaker.
Good luck
F. Neuberger

The current answer from Purdey is 19,500 pounds, does not include shipping, customs etc.

I will need to save awhile which ever option I pursue.

$30,000 u$. Crazy. Somebody screwing someone. Glad I do not have enough money to let someone do that to me. Come on they must be made out of
Unobtaianium.
I know that's what they get, but having had the opportunity to shoot and examine a business partners SXS Purdey, I just don't see it. Quality of the barrels is very good, but $30,000 good?
Then again I didn't see $125,000 in value when I shot it.

I dunno. I shot Bob Matthews' Purdey a few years ago and broke every bird I shot at. As I recall, it was 8 for 8. What price is it worth to never miss?

SRH

The misses don't start until after you have ponied up the coin....but, trust me, they do start.


Best,
Ted

I looked at a Purdey a couple of years ago priced at around $13,000 if I remember correctly. It looked beautiful, nice wood and engraving, good case colors, but had thin barrels. I'm glad it's not mine now considering the price of having it rebarreled.

Well Why didnt you say it was a "magic gun"? Those cost more!!! LOL

A 16 gauge Purdey would be a nice gun. Contact Bill Blacker in the UK about a price. Then send it to Dan Morgan to take over and all will be well.

Toby Barclay should be at the Southern Side by Side tomorrow through Sunday. He can solve all your problems. This is your chance.

What about effect on provenance?
Does D.amos model handicap a BV1 gun a great deal for non makers barrels?

If your original barrels are in proof, you will keep the value of the gun even if you add a set of new barrels "by another" some makers of which are posted above.

I did that with a pair of Dickson's, adding steel barrels to use instead of the Damascus originals, said still to be in proof despite rivelling, pits polished out and 20-25 thou wall thickness. Cost some ten years ago were 3,000 sterling each gun. John Dickson quote was 6,500 sterling each gun.

Regards

If I remember correctly the rule of thumb is the extra barrel set is usually worth and costs half the value of the gun.