Lot 1289: Ken Hunt Engraved J. Purdey & Sons 28 Bore Sidelock Shotgun

This is an absolutely fantastic piece of firearms high art which shows mastery of multiple decoration techniques carried out by the hand of one of the world's most renowned master engravers, Ken Hunt, and is truly in a class of its own and would be at the center of any fine arms collection. The gun is built with blued steel barrels with a single brass bead sight on the file cut matted solid rib with a gold inlaid leaf at the base, gold inlaid "J. PURDEY & SONS. LONDON. ENGLAND." marking on the left of the upper barrel, gold leaves and a border at the chamber on either side, 1999 dated London proofs, and 70 mm (2 3/4 inch) chambers with automatic ejectors. The casehardened round bar sidelock action displays extensive decoration in multi-colored gold including multi-colored gold game scenes and yellow gold floral scroll. Both sides of the action are marked "J. PURDEY & SONS" and the underside is marked "J. PURDEY & SONS/LONDON - ENGLAND" all in fine gold inlay. The left lockplate shows a teal, a ruffed grouse, a pheasant, and a Gambel's quail all in flight in their own settings. The underside shows a pointer flushing a trio of quail, the right lockplate shows a pintail, wood duck, a woodcock, and a dove in their own settings, the toplever has a singular mallard, and the trigger guard has a setter flushing a trio of birds. All of the game engraving is carried out in magnificent highly detailed multi-colored gold inlay. Both lockplates are signed at the bottom by Master Engraver Ken Hunt, who has done a simply incredible job cutting the engraving and laying the gold inlay on the masterpiece. Hunt is a rare breed of engraver that can say he has truly mastered all of these facets of his remarkably skilled trade and has been a pioneer in fine arms engraving, pushing the envelope of extravagance further than those before him. The beautiful golden floral scroll extends to the trigger guard, toplever, and both tangs and shows a stunning contrast to the deep case colors. The gun features a single gold trigger, gilded internals, and an automatic tang mounted safety switch with gold inlaid "SAFE". Outstanding highly figured exhibition grade walnut forend with hand cut multi-point checkering, matching gold inlaid engraving on the fittings, including the Anson button release. The Prince of Wales grip stock is of the same exceptional quality with matching checkering and teardrop flats, engraved and gold inlaid grip cap, blank gold inscription oval, and engraved and gold inlaid casehardened heel and toe plates around a checkered bare butt. Included with the gun is factory correspondence and the factory specifications sheet confirming many of the features and engraving by Ken Hunt. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proved at both proved at 13.9 mm (.547 inches) and both measured at .549 inches; choke constriction .014/.025 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 inch drop at heel; 15 3/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs 3 oz. Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue/casehardened, and multi-colored gold finishes with limited handling evidence, slight dryness in the stock finish, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss out on a chance to own what is surely one of the most highly decorated Purdey's ever built!