George Bird Evans Purdey & A H Fox 12 gauges

[Dean Romig]

Do we know the serial number of Norris’ “woodcock gun” Purdey?





.

[Bill Murphy]

It was never discussed in Norris's or GBE's books. I discussed this gun with Dean when I found it. Unfortunately, it got away from me and, as far as I know, it is in the wind at this time.

[Bill Murphy]

Dean and I probably discussed this gun too long. I decided to bite the bullet after our conversations, but unfortunately it was sold. 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".

[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!!