J. Purdey & Sons is 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 classically styled pair a fantastic example of their work that would be at home in any collection. Both of the guns in the pair were built with blued steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on an island at the muzzle, a short sighting flat at the breech which is marked with a gold inlaid "1" or "2", light engraving around the breech, both 1993 and 1996 dated London proofs, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The flats are marked with the name "BARTLETT BURNAP", an addition seemingly done from the factory at the time of completion. Bartlett Burnap was a prominent and well respected businessman, sportsman, and collector of fine arms and art whom passed away in recent years. The barrels of each gun are mated to an attractive casehardened action which displays beautifully cut classic Purdey bouquet and scroll engraving around a mix of nitre blue and bright pins, Gothic "J. Purdey & Sons." signed on either lockplate in gold, and "J. Purdey & Sons./London-England." signed in gold on the underside. The engraving spills off of the action and continues onto the blued triggerguard, toplever which shows a gold inlaid "1" or "2", and the lower tang where the serial number is set in in fine gold inlay. The engraving is signed on the triggerplate to the left of the triggerguard "P. CHUNG" for the Purdey engraver that executed the fantastic work on these guns. The guns both feature gold cocking indicators on either lockplate, dual gold triggers, a righthand rolled triggerguard, and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicator. Both guns are mounted with nicely figured and multi-point forend with blued and engraved fittings including the Anson button release which is inlaid with "1" or "2" in gold. The guns also feature gorgeous highly-figured and multi-point checkered pistol grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, a black grip cap with engraved screw, gold inscription oval marked "BB" (Bartlett Burnap), and a leather cover recoil pad. Included with the guns are two sets of nickel snap caps and a total of eight assorted spare Teague thin wall choke tubes. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed at 18.5mm (.728 inches) and measured .729/.732 inches; Teague thin wall chokes (modified/full installed); minimum wall thickness .023/.024 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 15 7/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs. 10 oz.

As described in "A". Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured at 18.5mm (.728 inches); Teague thin wall chokes (full/modified installed); minimum wall thickness .025/.025 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 3/8 inch drop at heel; 15 13/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs. 11 oz. Provenance: The Bartlett Burnap Collection; Property of a Gentleman