Kevin, to clarify, the lightweight Norris Purdey is a "one barrel set" gun. The gun gifted to GBE is a two barrel set gun.

Is "gifted" the right word? I read that under the terms of Dr. Norris's will, that GBE was given the chose of which Purdy he would inherit.

To answer the initial question about Burt Becker, he did outwork for most of the big manufacturers of the day. He also did custom barrel work for professional trap and pigeon shooters. I have owned and seen Becker choked model 12 and 21 Winchesters, ithaca single barrel traps,and a few Parkers. Becker had a distinctive makers mark. A capital B and lower case b back to back. He put that mark supposedly on every gun he choked. That was his bread and butter trade along with building custom guns.

Hal Sheets, GBE was given the choice of Purdeys by Dr. Norris. He picked the heavier gun with two sets of barrels.

My memory might be wrong , but I thought he got to choose between "The Little Purdey" and a Churchill gun.

No, it was between the two Purdeys.





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I agree about GBE. I have read some of his writing and I think I would have to meet him in person to form a good opinion.

Maybe "bequeathed" would be a better word?





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Seems to me at his demise Norris possessed a pair of Purdey guns and a third gun (which I think was an H&H) of which GBE was to choose any of the three . I read this in one of GBE’s books which are no longer in my possession or I would quote it etc .

I haven't read all of GBE, but don't remember a Holland and Holland. He did own a Fox which he disgraced with a beavertail restock.