During My research along with Don Dallas, I am reasonably sure that after the hours spent between the pages of Purdeys Order books, my looking at "Many Many Purdey Guns & Rifles, both sides of the 'A' Ocean,and due to the Tireless Efforts of the former Holland & Holland"Wiz-Kid"Peter Blaine EsQ. Now Purdeys'Top Man'at South Audley St...and his efforts on my behalf, we came up with(99.5% sure) The Gun Number of the First Purdey tobe 'Tubed" with Sir Joe Whitworth's Fluid Pressed Steel, and the Year of Mfg. I have in the W/Shop No 10615.No 2 of the pair Delivered to Mr Hunt Jan 1st 1880.Start date on guns late 1878.Records show Built for Pigeon Shooting, 1st gun built with "The New Wide Pigeon Top Rib" I have had earlier serial numbered Purdeys,that had been returned to Purdeys with Original Damascus Tubes,and Re-Tubed with Whitworths Steel.Ever wonder what the Sr # of the Purdeys were(are) that went down on the Titanic???"So Much History, So Little Time'. cc/dt
