Somewhere in my increasingly squishy brain I recall this discussion possibly here about a year ago. Hopefully CC or another English brother will correct me.
It was suggested that a bespoke double might be completed without the delay for engraving so a man heading off to war could use the gun prior to deployment. 947,000 British men never returned from the war, and those guns were not returned to the maker for final finish.
That is the explanation my friend received from Purdey's when he inquired about his "funeral" 28 gauge. They suggested also that customer might have wanted a gun "rushed" so he could use it during the current upcoming season and, for whatever reason, it was never returned for finishing.
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