Rare Purdey at Gavin Gardiner

A rare 8-bore self-opening sidelock ejector gun by James Purdey & Sons, built in 1919, will be included in Gavin Gardiner Ltd’s live/online auction of Modern & Vintage Sporting Guns, which will be held via www.gavingardiner.com on Wednesday, 21 April at 2pm.

The gun with 32in barrels is very unusual as Purdey completed very few large calibre guns of this type and it remains in a very honest and original condition. It is estimated at £8,000-£12,000.

Also of interest are two items by Rigby. An early John Rigby & Co. rising bite Rigby & Bissel patent lever cocking sidelock non-ejector gun is estimated at £800-£1,200. The gun with 28in sleeved barrels was built c. 1882 and is one of the first to have been built on this now iconic patent. A fine John Rigby & Co. .275 bolt-action sporting rifle, built c. 1924 for the Earl of Altamont is estimated at £2,500Warwick £3,500. It retains almost all of its original finish and retains its original Aldis pattern telescopic sight on Rigby mounts, and is in its original canvas case.

By Birmingham maker Issac Hollis, a scarce .450/.400 hammer express double barrel rifle is estimated at £3,500-£5,000. It retains a very high degree of original finish and would have been built around 1890. Elsewhere the sale will include over 350 lots including a large collection of vintage hammer guns and military rifles.

Viewing for this auction will take place strictly by appointment only. Viewing will be limited to onehour time slots, and to one person at a time. Social distancing rules will apply: a facemask is required for entry to view. The auction will be a live auction, behind closed doors, and condition reports and remote bidding options will be available. Absentee bids will continue to be provided free of charge and online bidding with invaluable.com is also available.