The Will Primos Collection

Intro

Rock Island Auction Company is honored to offer the Will Primos Purdey Collection – a stunning, one-of-a-kind, consecutively numbered, mutli-caliber, five gun set never to be duplicated, as stated by the maker. The set will be a centerpiece of the December 5-7, 2025, Premier Firearms Auction hosted in our state-of-the-art Texas facility, the finest brick-and-mortar auction venue in the world.

With extraordinary generosity, Mr. Primos is donating this collection to be auctioned, with proceeds to be split among five of the nation's leading conservation organizations: Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Pheasants/Quail Forever.

Who is Will Primos?

Mr. Primos is best known as the founder of Primos Outdoors, one of the largest names in the hunting industry. Primos changed the industry by creating the video series "The Truth," which provided hunters video tutorials on how to use their calls, as well as represented hunts as they really happened. A respected and life-long hunter in his own right, Will Primos is also a dedicated conservationist, who asked himself the critical question, "How can I, with my resources, give back to conservation? I want to do something different and special. I want to make an impact."

What is "The Truth About Conservation"

The Truth About Conservation was launched by Will Primos in 2024, in partnership with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Pheasants/Quail Forever as a way to bring awareness to conservation and help support the conservation efforts of these dedicated groups through a special firearm auction.

Sportsmen and women have long been a primary funding source for wildlife and habitat conservation. Now, it's time to harness that same passion to better inform the public's understanding on several key areas of conservation. The campaign's mission is simple.

Foster a deeper understanding of the relationship between policy, science-based habitat & wildlife management.
Spread awareness of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and its tremendous success.
Whether or not an individual hunts or fishes, they benefit immensely from the contributions of hunters and anglers, most notably in the form of healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife, and clean water.

A public educated on conservation is one more likely to participate in it, and less likely to pass legislation harmful to wildlife and habitat. Spreading The Truth About Conservation beyond the hunting, fishing, and outdoors communities, will benefit this nation and its natural spaces for generations to come.

The Guns

In 2012, when Mr. Primos sold his company, he ordered the first of this remarkable five-gun set from the world-renowned gunmakers at James Purdey & Sons. The first was ordered in 16 gauge, in homage to his father's beloved 16 ga. A.H. Fox, a shotgun Mr. Primos owns to this day.

At that time of the initial order, Mr. Primos had the foresight to reserve five consecutive serial numbers for his vision of a five gun, multi-caliber collection, but there was one problem: Purdey had never before made a hammer ejector gun in 28 gauge, or any hammer gun in .410 bore in their over 200 year history.

The stage was set for a one-of-a-kind quintet made by one of the top fine arms firms in the world. The Will Primos Purdey Collection is a blend of 19th century elegance and style with 21st century modern technology. According to Purdey, they produced a limited run of just ten .410 bore shotguns, including the one in this set, with no more to be made. They further state it is the only 5-caliber hammer gun set Purdey has ever produced and ever will.

The set includes one gun each in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge, and .410 bore. Each stunning example is built with blued steel barrels, featuring a single bead sight on a concave, solid rib, automatic ejectors, and all threaded for the included, Purdey-marked Teague chokes

The exquisite brush bright finished actions feature tight, masterfully cut English scroll engraving, and the underside of each shotgun exhibits its own unique game scene, courtesy of Master Engravers Paul Chung and Bradley Tallett.

All hand-fitted and carefully stocked in beautiful, highly-figured walnut with multi-point checkering, they are accompanied by individual oak and leather takedown cases, each filled with a full complement of accoutrements. No detail has been spared in these exceptional, best quality Purdey doubles.

The 12 Gauge

The classic. A perfect choice for trap, pheasant, chukar, quail and more. Blued barrels end in a brush bright action with wonderfully executed work by Master Engraver Paul Chung. Tight English scroll bestows a classic look, while the underside reveals pigeons in a vast desert landscape. Accompanied by oak & leather takedown case, full complement of Purdey accessories and choke tubes, and numerous extras for the buyer.

Barrel: 29 in.
Chamber: 3 in.
Length of Pull: 14 7/8 in.
Trigger: Double
Drop at comb: 1 3/8 in.
Drop at heel: 2 in.
Weight: 7 lbs 11 oz

The 16 Gauge

The perfect in-between. Those who know its versatility will always sing the praises of a 16. Blued steel barrels perfectly fitted to a brush bright action. Solid, concave rib ends in a single bead, with master engraving by Bradley Tallett. Meticulous English scroll tastefully graces the sides, fences and hammers, while the underside depicts three drake Mallards in flight above a marsh. Accompanied by oak & leather takedown case, full complement of Purdey accessories and choke tubes, plus original specification sheet from the maker.

Barrel: 29 in.
Chamber: 2 3/4 in.
Length of Pull: 14 7/8 in.
Trigger: Double
Drop at comb: 1 3/8 in.
Drop at heel: 2 in.
Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz.

The 20 Gauge

Many hunters top choice for upland birds and waterfowl: light, quick handling, and still fills limits. Blued steel, handsomely stocked, and a matching brush bright finish receiver. Master Engraver Paul Chung has signed his work of expertly executed English scroll and a game scene of two grouse - one aflight, the other perched in a birch tree. Accompanied by oak & leather takedown case, full complement of Purdey accessories and choke tubes, plus original specification sheet from the maker.

Barrel: 29 in.
Chamber: 3 in.
Length of Pull: 14 7/8 in.
Trigger: Double
Drop at comb: 1 3/8 in.
Drop at heel: 2 in.
Weight: 6 lbs 13 oz.

The 28 Gauge

This is the only 28 gauge hammer ejector ever manufactured by James Purdey & Sons - a true prize for the discerning collector or sportsman. Blued steel and well figured walnut meet a brush bright finished action with masterfully cut English scrollwork by Master Engraver Paul Chung. The action's underside depicts two Mearn's quail in a scene alive with mountains, savanna, and clouds. Accompanied by oak & leather takedown case, full complement of Purdey accessories and choke tubes, plus original specification sheet from the maker.

Barrel: 29 in.
Chamber: 2 3/4 in.
Length of Pull: 14 7/8 in.
Trigger: Double
Drop at comb: 1 3/8 in.
Drop at heel: 2 in.
Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz.

The .410 Bore

Never before made in company history, Purdey produced a single run of ten .410 bore hammer shotguns, with this the sole example to be consecutively numbered in a set. The .410 double ensures this is the only 5-caliber hammer gun set Purdey has ever produced and ever will. Master Engraver Paul Chung has embellished this tiny canvas with a superb woodland game scene of two doves. Production of a full-size double gun in .410 is an extraordinary exhibition of the gunmaker's skill. Accompanied by oak & leather takedown case, full complement of Purdey accessories and choke tubes, plus original specification sheet from the maker.

Barrel: 30 in.
Chamber: 3 in.
Length of Pull: 14 7/8 in.
Trigger: Double
Drop at comb: 1 3/8 in.
Drop at heel: 2 in.
Weight: 5 lbs 15 oz.

Where can I find more information on the guns?

A full, detailed description on each gun will be available in the catalog (online and print) for the December 5-7 Premier Firearms Auction. To receive notification when the catalog posts, you may create a website account and elect to receive Auction Alerts. Until that time, please enjoy this document which will be available at numerous collector and trade shows as we exhibit this spectacular set across the country.

Follow the guns as they travel to various shows and track the impact of this campaign as it unites hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts nationwide at thetruthaboutconservation.com.

How Can I Bid?

To place a bid prior to the December 5-7 Premier Auction being posted to our website, please contact Rock Island Auction Company directly at 1-800-238-8022.