Apparently the Russian Ambassador in London took Khrushchev’s pair of Purdey’s , that had been built for the Tsar, into Purdey for a service.
The guy behind the counter opened the case, made a note of the serial numbers and went off to look in a ledger.
He came back.
“I’m sorry Sir. We can’t handle these, they appear to be stolen!”
I don't think this is a true story. According to Purdey historian Nicholas Harlow, in 1949, "the Soviet delegation through I.I. Sedov" purchased guns 26070, 26077, 26101 and 26102. Another gun 26828 was bought by the Soviet ambassador in Turkey. All about the Purdey`s adventures in Russia https://wp.me/p461yQ-4PD
Kind regards, Igor R. Karklinsh www.shotguncollector.com P.S. Please use Google Translate to read
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