Manufactured in 1880 per page 193 of Donald Dallas' "Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers: The Definitive History". Brown Damascus steel barrels with single bead front sight on the smooth, concave solid rib which is marked "J. PURDEY & SONS, 314 1/2, OXFORD STREET, LONDON" along with a patch of floral scroll at the breech end, 2 3/4 inch chambers with single extractor, and correct period London proofs. The casehardened bar-in-wood action and hammer sidelocks display beautiful classic English rose and scroll engraving with "J. PURDEY & SONS" marked on either lock plate. The gun features sideclips, lightly carved fences, and double triggers. Highly figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings including the Anson button release and straight grip stock with teardrop carved flats, inscription oval marked "B", and a non-factory red rubber recoil pad. A similar example is pictured as plate 45 in Dallas' aforementioned book. Per the consignor, this shotgun is from the collection of Robert Braden co-author of "Lock, Stock and Barrel: Making an English Shotgun and Shooting with Consistency". Included with the gun is an added set of Purdey barrels which have been numbered to the gun and measure 30 inches with a concave solid rib marked "J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON. MADE TO ORDER FOR GEO. C. PARK JANUARY. 1883" as well as a leather bound takedown case that houses the whole set with gun information sheet on the interior lid. Barrel measurement for extra set (R/L): bore diameter 9 inches from the breech both proved at "12" (.729 inches) and measured at .739/.738 inches; choke constriction .008/.020 inches; minimum wall thickness .018/.022 inches. Barrel and stock measurements for the primary set (R/L): bore diameter 9 inches from the breech both proved at "12" (.729 inches) and measured at .748/.747 inches; choke constriction .036/.035 inches; minimum wall thickness .022/.022 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 9/16 inch drop at heel; 14 7/8 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 3 oz.

Very fine, retaining 90% original brown finish with strong Damascus pattern, 40% case colors, 60% blue on the trigger guard, and mild handling evidence. The reoiled wood is very good with some scratching on the stock, tiny cracks at the back of either lock plate and off the trigger guard finial, and crisp checkering. The case and extra barrels are very good. Mechanically excellent.