doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Purdey 20 ga questions

A guy I know has offered to sell me his 20 gauge Purdey sxs made around 1930. It has two triggers, English stock, nice engraving, 26" barrels, rechambered to 2 3/4 & re-proofed, has a comfortable length of pull (for me - I'm 6'), original case etc. He's asking $25k. I've admired Purdeys for years but never considered purchasing one before. What are the things to look for on this type of gun? Is it fairly priced? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

AMtrico,Most 20g Purdeys I,ve seen on the net recently are around 50,000.00 give or take a few thou.I cn't say exactly what to look for,but at those prices look at everything.
Dave

Take it to a good double gunsmith. Have him look it over real well. At that price no one can afford a bad gun buy.

For pricing, Purdey is Brand Value level 1 (BV1) and the gun in question was an Orignial Quality grade 1 (OQ1). Current Condition is the other factor for a ball park price. Doubt the gun is pristind (CC1). So, CC2 is slight use, CC3 is significent use, and CC4 is heavy use but no abuse. BV1-OQ1-CC2 = $28,000, CC3 = $21,000, and CC4 = $16,000. Multiply by a factor of 1.5 to 2 for scarcity and desirability of 20 gauge. That makes you a range of $24,000 (1.5 X $16K) to $56,000 (2 X $28K). If at all a righteous gun, it is approaching a bargain. If you have questions about this market model system, ask --- oh, yes, expect some wiseacker comments as there is a gunning runbattle over it.

Give a hint what part of the country you are in and someone will recommend a qualified gunmaker to look at it if you decide to buy. If you decide not to buy and your friend is going to sell, I'd be interested in a chance at it.

Perhaps you'd trust the local gunsmith at Bob's bait and tackle shop with a Purdey?
No neither would I - 25K is a steal, just buy it and fix it as needed.

But Lowell, if the bbls are bad, you're looking at least $12,000 to put new ones back on, a lot more to have the work done by Purdeys.

A lot remains to be discovered, like: how original is the gun? Are you certain the gun was reproofed in the UK? How is the stock? And on and on.

I'd have a qualified 'smith look it over before I bought it. IF you don't have one, tell us where you are and we can recommend one for you.

I would also email the gun's serial # to Purdeys. They will tell you how that gun left their shop.

OWD

OWD, I'd do as you say, but in answer to Mike, there are only a few to look at a Purdey when you get into the 25k-to the sky's the limit gun.

Good price if it is resonnably good condition and still in proof.

When you get past 10,000 you need to have a gun evaluated by a good double smith. Too much money to take a chance that you will be able to spot what a professional would. Plus if the gun needs any repairs you will need a good gunsmith to do them. Several Prudey trained smiths are in the US and one will be able to evaluate your gun far better than all of us experts here.

If you are buying an English gun, you are buying the barrels! New barrels are running close to $20,000 by the maker. An English trained gunsmith such as Alfred Galifent on the East Coast or Paul Hodgins on the the West Coast for $175 will tell you what condition the gun is in, (pay attention to the barrel wall thickness, and bore diameter). $25,000 for a 1930 20 bore Purdey is a suspiciously low price! A phone call or email to Purdeys will tell you if the barrels are theirs (1925 proof marks and dimensions plus two barrel #s on the sides of the barrel loops. Even with good barrels you can easily put another 10-12 thousand in unseen repairs. An inspection by an English trained gunsmith is well worth the money. Ask Purdey who they recommend, it will probably be Gallifent( Phone 215-343-3974, Warrington Penna.), that is who they recommended to me for my Purdey 20 bore.