Lot 1381

Engraved Pair of Purdey Self-Opening Single Barrel Trap Shotguns

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Engraved Pair of Purdey Self-Opening Single Barrel Trap Shotguns

Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000

Starting Bid: $18,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Extremely Rare Factory Engraved Pair of J. Purdey & Sons Self-Opening Single Barrel Trap Shotguns with Documentation -A) Documented First Produced Purdey Single Barrel Trap Shotgun Extremely Rare Factory Engraved Pair of J. Purdey & Sons Self-Opening Single Barrel Trap Shotguns with Documentation -A) Documented First Produced Purdey Single Barrel Trap Shotgun This pair of guns was completed in 1923 and shipped to Von Lengerke & Detmold of New York City, New York. Each gun in the pair was built with a blued steel barrel featuring dual white bead sights on the matted vent rib, "J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON" and "MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL." signed on the left and right sides respectively, an engraved "1" or "2" on the rear lump, London proof marks on the flats, and a 2 3/4 inch chamber with automatic ejector. Each gun's barrel is fitted to a highly attractive casehardened Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action with third fastener, sideclips, a bushed firing pin, and a gold centerlined cocking indicator on the lockplate. The actions are decorated with deeply relief carved fences and classic Purdey near full coverage tight scroll engraving surrounding "J. PURDEY & SONS." signatures on either side, a gold monogram on the toplever of gun "2", and wading game birds in oval scenes on the left, three oval scenes depicting ducks, a heron, and a crane on the underside, and two more oval scenes with ducks on the right. The engraving was most likely carried out by Harry Kell's Shop in Soho. Each gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered beavertail forend with engraved casehardened iron and an Anson button release as well as a round semi-pistol grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, gold stock oval marked "L" on gun "1" and filled space on "2", and a Decelerator recoil pad on gun "1" and a Silver's type recoil pad on gun "2". Gun "1" (serial number 22417) is described on page 130 of Donald Dallas' book "Purdey Gun & Rifle Makers: The Definitive History". On that page Dallas states that this was the first of the post-World War I Single Barrel Trap guns, and this pair are two of the total 59 built, making them quite rare on top of their beauty. It also appears that the order for these guns may have been taken during Athol Purdey's U.S. sales trip in 1922, when he came to the U.S. in an attempt to tap into the vast American market as sales in Post-War England were waning. The included binder of documentation from Griffin & Howe, holders of the Von Lengerke & Detmold record, indicates that this pair of guns was ordered by Mr. Henry Graves Jr., with the first gun arriving on February 18th, 1923, and the second gun arriving on April 18th of the same year. The records include copies of the factory ledger and lists of the noted special features and options on this pair of guns. Henry Graves Jr. was a banker in the New York area and was known to have a taste for the finer things in life, which this pair of guns clearly shows. Mr. Graves is famous in some circles for having commissioned the "Holy Grail" of watches from Patek Phillippe in 1925 which was the most complex time-piece ever made, and sold for an impressive $24 million in 2014. Includes two modern two gun takedown cases and a copy of Dallas' aforementioned book. Barrel and stock measurements: bore diameter nine inches from the breech proofed at "12" (.729 inches) and measured .733 inches; choke constriction .034 inches; minimum wall thickness .054 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 1 7/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 6 oz.

Manufacturer: Purdey J & Sons Ltd

Model: Single Barrel Trap

BBL: 32 inch vent rib

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 12

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number22417

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

B) Gold Inlaid Purdey Single Barrel Trap Shotgun As described in "A". Barrel and stock measurements: bore diameter nine inches from the breech proofed at "12" (.729 inches) and measured .733 inches; choke constriction .042 inches; minimum wall thickness .053 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 1 3/8 inch drop at heel; 14 5/16 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 5 oz.

Manufacturer: Purdey J & Sons Ltd

Model: Single Barrel Trap

BBL: 32 inch vent rib

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 12

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number22429

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Condition: A) Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 99% blue finish, 90% original case colors , minor handling evidence, a slight gap at the forend/barrel fitment, a few scratches on the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. B) Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 98% blue finish, 85% original case colors with some high edge wear, a few tiny freckles of oxidation on the barrel, and minor handling evidence. The wood is fine with a gap and a small crack at the forend/metal junction, some dings and scratches concentrated at the forend release, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss out on this chance to own a fantastic pair of Purdey Single Barrel Trap Guns that were not only the first in the country, but the world!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000