Mike, my Purdey is a late, very late, Whitworth barrel hammer gun from 1921. It is a 2 3/4" chamber, 1 1/4 ounce pigeon gun with 30" barrels, side clips and third fastener. I found it in a local rifle store, leaning up in a dark corner, hidden from all the rifles and customers. I got permission to bring all my measuring tools the next day. Everything checked out so it was a quick sale. The gun is all original and fairly high condition. The consignor accepted an offer for a third of the asking price, which was not bad in itself.
Eightbore;
Your 50 year hunt for a dream gun turned out to be almost unheard of----the sort of thing that you would only expect someone like the late Cyril Adams to find. You have a significant treasure and with 2 3/4 inch proofs it's value will continue for years and years. Donald Dallas's book on Purdey shows (Plate 29 of the book) a Purdey hammer pigeon gun of 1922, serial no. 22182. Is your gun similar to this one?
What have you learned from Purdey of your gun's heritage?
Would you be so kind as to post photos of your treasure gun?
Kindest Regards;
Stephen Howell
