J. Purdey & Sons is a standout among the best gunmakers in the world and could easily be argued as the finest with their guns having found their place in nearly all of the top fine arms collections in the world. A pair of Purdeys is at the pinnacle of fine arms collecting with this pair a being a wonderful example of their work that would be at home in any collection. Both of the guns in the pair are built with blued steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on the matted flat solid rib which is marked with a gold "1" or "2" near the base, "J. PURDEY & SONS AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET LONDON ENGLAND." signed on the left side of the upper tube, 1982 dated London proofs, Teague thin walled chokes (none installed or included) marked "tube", and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels of each gun are mated to a highly attractive casehardened sidelock action with near full coverage scroll engraving surrounding "J. PURDEY & SONS" signatures on either lockplate, "J/PURDEY & SONS" on the underside, and seven circular game bird scenes before spilling off of the action onto the triggerguard, both tangs, and the toplever which is marked with a gold "1" or "2". The game scenes consist of three individual ducks in flight on the left, a pheasant cock, grouse, and a pigeon on the right all in flight, and a dove in flight on the underside for gun "1" and three water foul on the left, a quail, grouse, and wood cock on the right, and a matching dove on the underside for gun "2". Each gun is signed three times, on the bottom of the game scene and the rear of the scenes on each side "A. L. Hunt" for Purdey engraver and daughter of Master Engraver Ken Hunt. The guns feature cocking indicators on either lockplate, a single gold trigger, right hand rolled triggerguard, and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicator. The guns are both mounted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings and Anson button release featuring a gold "1" or "2" as well as a pistol grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, horn grip cap, gold inscription oval marked "S.R.M", and blued steel engraved heel and toe plates around the checkered bare butt. The makers have kindly confirmed that this pair was completed in 1987 and 1989 respectively and left the factory in the above configuration, aside from the added Teague screw-in chokes, with the second gun of the pair being built from a stock gun which was renumbered to complete the matched pair. Included is a fine oak and leather takedown case for each of the guns with its own canvas cover numbered to its gun, a pair of nickel snap caps, and a cleaning rod. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed at .729 inches and measured .733 inches; minimum wall thickness .029/.026 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 5/16 inch drop at heel; 15 5/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs. 8 oz.

Excellent, retaining 98% original blue finish with some loss and thinning on the lower tang, 99% original casehardened finish, minor handling evidence and crisp engraving. The wood has a small crack at the left rear at the shoe and some chipping, otherwise; the wood is very fine with some scratches, pressure marks, and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are excellent.

As described in "A". Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed at .728 inches and measured .732/.734 inches; minimum wall thickness .029/.028 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 15 5/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs. 7 oz.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and casehardened finishes with minor handling evidence, a few scratches and pressure marks in the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss out on this chance at this exceptional pair of Purdeys!