Manufactured in 1891, this is a nice example of an engraved Purdey & Sons side lock shotgun. The breech end of the smooth concave barrel rib has a small wedge of fine floral scroll engraving and ahead of the wedge is marked "J. PURDEY & SONS AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDREY STREET LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH"S FLUID PRESSED STEEL", and there is a single brass bead sight. The casehardened action and side plates feature fine floral scroll and rosette engraving. Each side plate is also marked "J. PURDEY & SONS". The trigger guard has a scene of a hunting dog with a pheasant in it's mouth and there is a pheasant on the break lever. The trigger guard tang and forearm hardware are engraved with the same patterns. The barrel flats are marked with numerous proofs and the water table is marked with two "crown / V" proofs. The matching serial number is marked on the lower tang, bottom of each barrel and on the forearm hardware. The barrels are chambered 3 inch, choked improved cylinder/cylinder with ejectors. Single Miller trigger with selector, tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid "SAFE", cocking indicators and mounted with extra fancy multi-point checkered splinter forearm and straight grip stock with tear drop flats, solid recoil pad and a gold initial oval monogrammed "M". Length of pull is 13 3/4 inches. Complete in a hard leather take down case with leather corner protectors and handle, brass hardware and wine colored velvet lining with a pebble grain leather J. Purdey & Sons label affixed to the inside of the lid. The outside of the lid is embossed "RICHARD F. HOYT". In the case is an extra set of barrels numbered to the gun. The set is 28 1/2 inches in length, with a single brass bead sight, engraved and marked the same as the other barrel set, 3 inch chambers, choked cylinder/improved modified with ejectors. Also included is a two-piece wooden, two nickel snap caps and a nickel oiler with a Boss & Co. Special Lock Oil label. 2 3/4 inch chambers, bore diameter: R- .728 L- .731, bore constriction: R- .007 L- .005, min. bbl thickness: R- .028 L- .027, length of pull: 13 3/4 inches, drop at comb: 1 1/2 inches, drop at heel: 2 1/4 inches, cast-off: 5/8 inches.

Fine as refinished, both barrel sets, with 95% blue finish remaining on the 26 inch barrels and 98% on the 28 2/3 inch barrels. The action and trigger guard retain 30% original bright case colors with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The locks retain half of the refurbished case colors with a smooth dove gray on the balance. The wood is also very good with a number of minor scratches on the left side of the stock and overall a few minor dings and handling marks and crisp checkering. The recoil pad shows some moderate wear. The markings and engraving are clear. Mechanically fine. The case is good with some wear, scuffs and scratches on the exterior and some contact wear and stains on the interior.