George Bird Evans Purdey & A H Fox 12 gauges

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I don't know the source of the GBE gun being described as "the little Purdey" because it was a horse compared to the woodcock gun. The missing woodcock gun would be correctly described as "the little Purdey".

I merely used the phase because it is how GBE referred to it himself- I'll need to get out Dr. Norris' books to see what he referred to as his "woodcock gun"

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks, but the gun itself is, as I said, a horse compared to the other Purdey.

[Researcher]

In The Upland Shooting Life, on page 278, GBE discusses the 27-inch barrel Purdey Woodcock gun, then quotes Dr. Norris "The little Purdey and the Churchill here," Dr. Norris laid his hand on the other two cases, "were left to me by an old friend, Lynford Biddle. ..."

So, Dr. Norris called the two-barrel set "the Little Purdey."

On pages 279 & 280 GBE states it weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces and goes on to describe his sanding down the comb and the face side of the stock and fitting a recoil pad to get the gun to fit him and having the chambers lengthened to 2 3/4-inch!!

[Dean Romig]

I wonder what the weight of the Woodcock Gun is/was?





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[Bill Murphy]

I'll let you know when I find it. I won't let it get away next time.

[MrBojangles]

Serial number and perhaps a previous auction listing of this shotgun?

[OH Osthaus]

Thanks Dave

As I said, I’ve been around the “little Purdey”

And I’ve been around horses

No comparison

[Bill Murphy]

As I recall, Biddle may have been mentioned in the Purdey letter or email they sent me. I'll bet that letter is in this house somewhere.

[Researcher]

GBE also states on page 279 that the "Little Purdey" has the third fastener and side clips. Can't really confirm from the photos in the book. I would generally associate those features with a heavier Pigeon or waterfowl gun?

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

GBE also states on page 279 that the "Little Purdey" has the third fastener and side clips. Can't really confirm from the photos in the book. I would generally associate those features with a heavier Pigeon or waterfowl gun?

I believe he does mention needing to lightly stone a side clip to seat the barrels after OH Briar (i think that's the right dog) knocked it off a table

I do have side clips on a nice light Sauer, so not unheard of on a light gun