The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun was completed as the No. 2 of a pair for a W.H. Wyndham-Quin in 1877. Browned damascus steel dovetail lump barrels marked "J. PURDEY. 314 1/2. OXFORD STREET. LONDON." and "2" on the smooth raised rib with single bead sight, chambers proved at 2 3/4 inches with single extractor, and London proofs and Birmingham nitro reproofs on the flats, and single extractor. Casehardened action and locks with London proofs and stamped "2" on the water table, sculpted fences, engraved serpentine hammers, nitre blued small parts and "PURDEY" maker's marks on the bar-in-wood side locks, and smooth double triggers. The action and locks have Purdey rose and scroll engraving throughout. The trigger guard and top lever are blued with scroll engraving throughout and engraved with the serial number on the lower tang. Checkered splinter forearm and nicely figured straight grip stock with Anson push button latch, blank silver initial oval, engraved fittings, and checkered bare butt.

Fine with 95% of the rebrowned finish remaining on the barrels with areas of smoothed over pitting and clear markings. The action has been cleaned bright with a few areas of pitting and crisp engraving. The trigger guard, top lever, and various pins and screws have been reblued and the engraving has slightly softened. The refinished wood has sharp checkering with various handling marks and scratches and a repaired crack on both sides of the trigger plate to the locks and a pinned piece of wood at the right stock head. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.