This particular gun had been used, but not abused. My guess is that it might have seen 20-30 thousand rounds over the thirty or so years that it's original owner enjoyed his Purdey. A new hinge pin properly fitted, engraved, and blued with the barrels properly blacked down and faces polished might set one back $1K. One might want the trigger guard reblacked as well. The gun would now be ready for it's next 30 years. All for less than a third of the price of a new one. The Auction estimate was 20-30K, not 40. My guess is that with the gunsmithing done, this gun would sell in the 33-37K range. I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as the old one did.
All the best, Mal
