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Yes it was re proofed in 82 interesting idea, what a mystery those numbers are!

RARiddell

Just out of curiosity how did you find the year your gun was re-proofed. I have another gun that was re-proofed in Birmingham between 1954 and 1985 based on the proof marks. I have never been able to determine the exact year. Do you have a secret?

Bob

RARiddell

Thanks for the info

Bob

Mine was built in 1894 and reproofed for nitro in 1924 ( I have the documentation from Purdey's) but no such marks then.

Interesting tidbit about Purdey's taking advice from Winchester about steel shot...

Damascus,
I agree completely with your view that too many old guns like mine are being destroyed from their original purpose. I'm probably part of the problem because I'm a shooter not a collector. I intend to pass shoot doves with my old Purdey.
I'm fortunate because my old gun is almost totally original...only the barrels have been touched. Even the stock may not even have been refinished.

I wanted to tell you I've been emailing back and forth with Purday to find out what the number "1" on the hook and the lug are for. Purdey researched this subject. The barreled action was made as a pair and put in Purdey stock. This barreled pair was made in 1869. When an order came in for one gun it was finished and shipped as a single gun to its original owner in May of 1870. Purdey told me making barreled action in sets was very common during this period because demand was high. I know you've done a lot of research on your own Purdey. I'm trying to find out something about the original owner W. S. Winans. I'm going to research on the Great Britain census data closest to 1870 to see if I wan find W. S. Winans.

Question: Will the British proof houses tell me the name of the person who reproofed my gun in London in 1980? I'm sure you've likely asked for the same information on you gun. I look forward to hearing from you regarding this. The research project continues. I hope I can find out more about the history of this gun because I believe that Purdey probably made just 100-200 thumbbreak action shotguns in their history.
Thanks. Bob

What kind of barrel is this on my Purdey? https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/482/32588119341_f96c25da9b_b.jpg

Thank you for your enquiry. The provenance of your Purdey gun is as follows:



Serial No: 5914

Built: 1860

For: Captain Lowe

Type �D� quality

Barrel Length: 29�



I hope this information is useful.



Kind regards



Edward Benson



Gun Sales Associate



James Purdey & Sons Ltd

Audley House

57-58 South Audley Street

London, W1K 2ED

Kathy1. Ahhh the hidden mystery of the Brit proof houses, I have tried to find out some information on original proofs with no luck. Also I am sure that the proof houses only took in guns submitted for proof from gunmakers and recognised gunsmiths not private individuals. If they did have any information from the early 18oo's it would be only who submitted the gun for proof. In the late 60s and early 70s Birmingham proof house would undertake to do an inspection and report a very useful service though now discontinued.




This is the report on my Purdey Damascus barrels after they where overhauled and re-browned.