Buy A Piece Of Purdey Gunmaking Heritage

Not everyone wants to wait two years for a gun, even if that gun or pair is a Purdey, which is why it might be worth considering the Heritage Collection, though of course there are always a number of new guns in stock at Audley House that can be fitted to you. The Heritage Collection offers pre-owned Purdeys, be they pairs of game guns, single guns, as well as rifles. All the guns have been carefully examined by Purdey’s master craftsmen, as well as being made to look as good as the day they were delivered. We’ve selected five of the most desirable to tempt you.

A pair of 12-bores with an intriguing history

Made for Colonel William Stirling, who was not only the brother of the founder of the SAS but also himself a member. This pair of guns were rebarrelled in 1974 for Colonel Stirling, and the guns are delivered with a portfolio of research on the Colonel. This classic pair has action bodies engraved with Purdey’s best fine rose and scroll pattern, with blued cocking indicators. With unusually long stocks, the wood is well-figured and the guns come with leather-covered recoil pads. The replacement barrels have game-ribs.

Date of completion: 1949
Weight: 6lb 13oz
Stock: 16 6/7 in
Barrels: 30in
Choke: Improved Cylinder and Half Choke
Chambers: 2 1/2in
Proof: Nitro
Price: £72,000

Casbard pair of shotguns.jpg

A double dangerous game rifle

Almost unused, this double barrelled .577 rifle has some stunning engraving by the renowned Phillippe Grifnee, with game scenes of Cape buffalo, all surrounded by best large scrollwork. With gold-inlaid cocking indicators, gold-washed triggers, the front one articulated, the trigger-guards have a beaded edge. The beautiful and highly figured stock has a cheek-piece and pistol grip and a leather-covered recoil pad, as well as sling swivels. The barrels, which are inlaid with Purdey’s address in gold, have a quarter rib and a standard sight for 50 yards, as well as a folding leaf sight for 75 yards, a ramp-mounted bead foresight and a moon sight.

Date of completion: 1993
Weight: 13lb 10oz
Stock: 15in
Barrels: 24in
Calibre: .577
Proof: Nitro
Price: On request

Double dangerous game rifle.jpg

Pheasants with 20-bores

This almost unused pair of 20-bore game guns were engraved by Daniel O’Brien, who went on to become one of the best-known engravers of guitars, working at Zemaitis Guitars. The signed engraving shows scenes of pheasants surrounded by best fine rose and scrollwork and virtually all of the hardening colour has been retained. The pair has well-figured stocks and come with leather-covered recoil pads, and the barrels have game ribs.

Date of completion: 1984
Weight: 6lb 1 1/2oz
Stock: 15 1/8in
Barrels: 28in
Choke: Improved Cylinder and Modified
Chambers: 2 3/4in
Proof: Nitro
Price: £128,000

O_brien pair of shotguns.jpg

Engraver’s delight

This pair of 12-bore game guns feature Purdey’s best large scroll pattern and oak leaves, all engraved by the renowned Geoffrey Casbard, who apprenticed under the legendary Harry Kell. Geoffrey has become something of a legend himself in the engraving world. The trigger plates are signed “Casbard” and the trigger guards have a beaded edge. This pair is virtually unused and the action plates and fences have a silver finish. The well-figured stocks are fitted with recoil pads and the barrels have game ribs.

Date of completion: 1974
Weight: 6lb 7 1/2oz
Stock: 15 1/8in
Barrels: 28in
Choke: Cylinder and Improved Cylinder
Chambers: 2 1/2in
Proof: Nitro
Price: £110,000