French Purdey. Really.
The guns that Richard Levi was/is building have some pretty unique features. The sidelocks are removable, but, forget the “nail” nonsense-you simply push the trigger forward with the barrels removed, and the lock lifts itself out of the wood for you to lift it up and inspect it. When I was there he was working on a unique 28 gauge boxlock of his own design. He had contracted for and purchased 5 frames that were sitting in his desk. He was sorting out what features were going to be available on the guns. He wasn’t very far along, but, all of them were sold, at that time. He had regular clientele and had zero interest in exporting guns to the US. He did tell me to let him know when I was ready, and he would build “a wonderful gun” for me. He is about my age, more than old enough to retire in France, but, I believe he and his apprentices (he had two, at the time) are still building guns.
There were two owners prior to Richard, that built very nice guns, but, a Granger, from any era, is a rare, rare, thing, even in France. If you have trouble with the gun, over here, you are going to need the services of a superb gunsmith, without question.
I could easily see a series of bidding wars that could happen when a gun like that comes up for sale. Saying you want to buy it, and actually getting it here could be two entirely different things.
Good luck.
Best,
Ted
