Auctions are exciting. You never know what you’re going to find, and you never know who is going to show up to bid. Can you get buys at them? Yes. But you can also get burned.
Affiliated Auctions & Realty in Tallahassee, FL, is having their Fine Art & Military auction this weekend. There are a few shotguns in the sale, including this decent looking Purdey.
From what I can see, this shotgun looks like it’s in decent, original condition. But there are a few things about the shotgun that worry me: the right-side lockplace tooks proud to the metal and the wood around it looks too worn. The bbls look a bit sketchy, too.
I reached out to the auctioneer for more info on this stuff, but they never responded to my emails. This makes me give this sale 4-stars for Buyer Beware. If you want this gun, be sure you take a good, close look at it. If you’re brave and want to bid online, remember this: New bbls, done right, cost at least $12,000.
Here more info about the shotgun, as provided by the seller:
James Purdey & Sons Best 16 gauge Double Barrel Shotgun: With ties to the well known Welaunee Plantation of Leon County, Florida. 26 inch barrels with solid rib. barrels marked “J Purdey & Sons Audley House South Audley Street London” on left barrel, and “Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid Pressed Steel” on right. Marked “Made in England” under fore end, and numbered “1” and marked “WN” on inside surface of actual fore end piece. Serial number 24019 marked on lower tang behind trigger guard, on each barrel under fore end, and on inside surface of fore end. British crown over “V” proof on water table, as well as well as more proof marks on barrels on either side of lug. Action and side plates have an extensive tight English scroll and rose engraving, extending to blue break lever, trigger guard, trigger guard plate and forearm hardware. Side plates boast the “J. PURDEY & SONS” name on each side. Tang mounted safety with gold “SAFE”, and break lever engraved with a “1”. multi point checkered walnut forearm and grip with tear drop flats. Escutcheon on bottom of stock is monogrammed “MF” from the original owner, Margaret Fleischman of Welaunee Plantation, who gifted the gun circa 1960 to the grandfather of the seller. Bores are bright and clean, and bluing on barrels is about 85-90%, with some thinning and fading from handling. Most of case coloring remains visible, but slightly dulled on receiver. Stock shows significant handling, under dark patina, with what appears to be light moisture damage to finish near butt plate. Gun is in overall good condition, retaining the classic elegance of a fine sporting gun, and an intriguing journey from north Florida sporting plantation history. This lot has a reserve. EST $13,000-$18,000
