Gun Review: Purdey 1883 English Sporting 12 ga. Shotgun [Content Contest]

By Dan Zimmerman

By Gabriel Carter

One gun that I’ll never sell or give away — except to my son — belonged originally to my great great grandfather, Weetman Pearson. It’s a Purdey side-by-side in 12 ga., one of a pair that started the building process in 1883 and finished in 1884. For any who doesn’t know, Purdey is one of the great English sporting gunmakers. The family gunmakers are based in London on South Audley street, and have been making guns since 1814. A new matched pair will set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of £100,000. An antique matched pair will go for auction anywhere between £30 – £250,000 depending on condition and history . . .

Single guns such as this one are obviously less expensive. Second-hand unmatched guns fetch around £15,000 in reasonable condition. A new one will run around £55,000.

In the case of this particular gun, its history is what makes it special. Particularly its 20th century history. I don’t know how much shooting my great great grandfather did with it, but I’m assuming a fair bit. Around 1920 he gave it to my great uncle John.

Great uncle John was a staff officer with the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium, …Read the Rest

Source:: Truth About Guns