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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 384
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 384 |
Hello all, I may have the opportunity to buy an 1871 Purdey hammer gun in original case with ivory tools etc. It is Damascus barreled and appears in very good condition and it has provenance. My question is this, I have yet to examine the gun myself but as it is not nitro proofed I think I would be taking a risk shooting it with modern 2 1/2" loads. If I send it to be proofed and it fails, money is gone However I could get Teague to line the barrels so then no problems. What would this do to the value of the gun though ? I would appreciate input from you chaps in the trade on this, Dig etc, thx ijn advance, Mike
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 594 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 594 Likes: 12 |
Mike, I think Dig is up in town right now visiting Bonhams. Back home on Thursday iirc.
Tim
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 384
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 384 |
Thx Tim, hopefully he will see this post, the gun looks fabulous
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,997 Likes: 402
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,997 Likes: 402 |
The Teague lining is no longer an option. If the wall thickness checks out and the barrels are otherwise sound, I bet it will pass proof and make a fine shooter.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 384
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 384 |
SKB, I have a friend who had a gun teague lined a year ago, seemed to have been OK ? best
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,143 Likes: 202
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,143 Likes: 202 |
In this country, "proof" is accomplished with a wall thickness gauge.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,997 Likes: 402
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,997 Likes: 402 |
I am formerly the US agent and was told the service is now defunct. I think it may have been more than a year ago. I have been mistaken before, but I'm pretty sure I'm correct in this regard. If you know anything else I would love to hear about it. Have a great day Mike. Steve
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 460 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 460 Likes: 12 |
Mike,
I have a Powell on Damascus, coincidentally also made 1871. Peter Powell had it nitro proved just before I bought it - and it passed no problems even though the walls are thin near the muzzle. The keys (as I'm sure you know) are the strength of the action and the thickness around the chamber and first foot or so of the barrel. My guess is Purdey's action should be fine as their models do pass nitro and presumably have a 'family' general design/thickness as well as using high quality materials. Again I would expect the barrels to be fine IF they have not been fine bored too much over the years. If they did start life as a 13 (and some did) and are now 12/1, I'd be pretty nervous. On the other hand, if they started as a 12, or even a 13/1 and are now a 12, you should be in with a pretty good chance. I believe the proof house would give 'an opinion' based on as much experience as you will find anywhere in the world, but of course you will have committed by then!
I hope it works out well for you.
John
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18 |
JohnfromUK, I assume you have a Powell lifter. If so, I'd like to communicate with you about it. Steve Helsley schmjh@pacbell.net
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 460 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 460 Likes: 12 |
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