George Bird Evans Purdey & A H Fox 12 gauges

[Bill Murphy]

So, Rick, apparently from the reference in Norris's book, GBE was given the choice of one of the Purdeys, not a choice of a Purdey or the Churchill. As I recall, either the email or letter from Purdeys or a note in the case of the Woodcock Gun mentioned that (maybe) Biddle had stocked the gun. I never subscribed to that notion.

[OH Osthaus]

Bill - working off memory on this, but I'll get the books out and verify with notations

Its a good day to do it - I think this morning we have the most snow on the ground of this winter (and its spring )

I don't remember Dr. Norris' book referencing GBE. I thought that tome was written before they met -
-
there are references to all three guns with some history of them in one of GBE's books.

After Dr Norris passed, GBE went to Fairhill to meet with Dr Norris' son. And if memory serves, the three guns were laid out in Dr Norris' study and the younger Norris said to GBE that he was to have his choice, if so = all three were in play - he made a comment on the amount of oil the elder Norris used - GBE left with the two barrel Purdey and Dr Norris' unfinished manuscript for another book.

more later

correction - seems he only had the choice of the one Purdey or the Churchill

[Bill Murphy]

It's really great to have someone besides me who is interested in the Doctor and his guns. I thought I had Norris' book in my library, but I can't find it.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

It's really great to have someone besides me who is interested in the Doctor and his guns. I thought I had Norris' book in my library, but I can't find it.

“Eastern Upland Shooting” is the Title of Dr. Norris’ book.





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[OH Osthaus]

I'll get it out in a bit - going through the Evans books that I know reference Dr Norris and his guns - both the "little Purday and the Churchill were passed TO Dr, Norris - I know there is a reference along the lines of he didn't know why the Churchill was ordered as a boxlock

[OH Osthaus]

more on the three "London guns" I see his reference to the Purdey he ordered as being for woodcock I wonder if that one went to Dr. Norris' sister's family She lived on a large southern plantation and corresponded with GBE about the unfinished manuscript - maybe a shooting family

[MrBojangles]

Dr Norris’ other Purdey—

It’s described in the preface of Eastern Upland Shooting, as written in 1989 by George Bird Evans. It was serial number 25383. It’s odyssey from 1961 to 1989 is described on page 11 of this book.

[Wilmurt]

My father bought the 2nd C.C. Norris Purdey in the late 1980’s from a United airlines pilot. Can’t remember the serial number. It was not a “woodcock” gun but choked IC/M with 27” barrels. I was the one Bill Murphy mentioned who sold the gun in Maryland. It was sold to Albright’s Gun Shop in Easton, MD in the early 2000’s and from what I understand, was sold again quickly. With the gun a signed copy of C.C. Norris’s book was included along with the Purdey histories letter. I do remember the gun being manufactured in 1927.

[Bill Murphy]

Tom, I realized that you had once owned the gun. I would like to find the gun but know that it it a hard search. Thanks so much for posting.

[Mike of the Mountain]

GBE's original Purdey was bequeathed to acquaintances of ours from upstate NY who used to have Old Hemlock Setters. If I remember correctly the wife was a nurse who was with GBE when he passed away. Haven't seen them in at least 8 years so I do not know if they still have that gun.