JAMES PURDEY

& SONS
JAMES PURDEY & SONS

Purdey has been making the worlds f inest shotguns, rif les and
shooting accessories since 1814 when James Purdey opened his f irst
shop on Princes Street in London.

In 1878, the company was awarded a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty

Queen Victoria. This followed the award of our f irst warrant in 1868
from The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII.

Purdey is proud to have received the Royal Warrant from every

succeeding British monarch and today possesses Royal Warrants
from Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and
HRH The Prince of Wales.

Whilst, over the last two centuries, much of the world may have
changed, a Purdey represents the ethos of a Best London gunmaker.
It represents perfection.

2
 BESPOKE GUNS & RIFLES

A Purdey is designed to last more than a lifetime. In the world of

shooting, there is nothing more special than ordering a Purdey
shotgun or rif le.

Each and every aspect of the gun, including the stock and style of
engraving, is chosen by you. It is built to your exact and detailed
specif ications. Our craftsmen build your gun to your measurements
so as to ensure it f its you perfectly.

Skilled gun f itting is an art and James Purdey was known as its
absolute master. Today, as part of the process of ordering a gun,
we invite our clients to have a f itting with our partners at the West
London Shooting School, who we have used for over 80 years.

3
 PU RDE Y GU N MAKING IN TH E 21 S T C ENTU RY

Purdeys are manufactured in-house
by our skilled craftsmen who focus on
perfecting the shape, f it and f inish of
each and every part. It is passion that
endows their work with individuality and
soul. Thanks to the mixture of evolution,
innovation and ref inement in our processes,
our guns are made with a level of accuracy
never possible in our founders day. We have
a tradition of continued investment and use
the latest computer-aided tooling.

JAM ES WOODWARD & COM PANY

Purdey acquired James Woodward &

Company in 1948 and since that date
has continued to make Woodward
shotguns, which are highly sought after
by the most discerning shots. We still
follow the original Woodward numbering
and the guns feature the trademark
arcaded fences as well as the iconic
f ine scroll engraving.

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SIDE-BY-SIDE GAME GUN

A Purdey Side-by-Side incorporates the innovative and beautifully

engineered self-opening mechanism that was designed and developed
by the Purdey employee, Frederick Beesley, in 1880.

Using the residual power of the mainspring, the Beesley Action

means a Purdey Side-by-Side is a true self-opener, allowing for
much faster loading. This is something that is appreciated today as
it has been by the great shots throughout the centuries.

6
 PU RDE Y C AN SU PPLY
E XTR A BARRELS IN
A DIFFERENT C ALIBRE
IN TH E FOLLOWING
Purdey of fers dedicated action sizes COM BINATIONS
on all its guns in square, round or

ultra-round bar action shapes. This

g ives each gauge perfect proportions 20 -bore barrels on a 16 -bore gun

and is extremely important to the 28 -bore barrels on a 20 -bore gun

weight, balance and feel. .410 barrels on a 28 -bore gun

OU R SIDE- BY-SIDE GU NS ARE BU ILT ON TH E FAMOUS SELF- OPEN ING SYSTEM PATENTED
BY FREDERIC K BEESLE Y IN 1881. WEIG HTS OF GU NS

CALIBRES ACTION STOCK 12-BORE 6 lb 10 oz (3.01 kg)

.410, 28, 20, 16, 12 and 10 -bore
on dedicated action sizes.
CHAMBERS
2 and 3.
BARRELS
Chopper-lump construction,
length on request.
CHOKES
Fixed or choke inserts.
RIB
Concave game, semi bottom or
Churchill ty pe rib in matted,
plain f inish or f ile cut.
Square bar, round bar or
ultra-round bar.
TRIGGERS
Non-selective single trigger.
Double triggers with optional spring
bladed front trigger.
GUARD
F lat or beaded edge to trigger bow.
SAFET Y
Automatic or non-automatic.
Straight or pistol grip. 6 lb 14 oz (3.12 kg)
Chequered butt or leather covered 16-BORE 6 lb 4 oz (2.84 kg)
recoil pad. Heel and toe pieces. 6 lb 12 oz (3.06 kg)
Skeleton heel plate. Full heel plate. 20-BORE 5 lb 15 oz (2.69 kg)
Gold or silver oval. Inlaid gold or 6 lb 4 oz (2.84 kg)
silver letters. 28-BORE 5 lb 2 oz (2.32 kg)
5 lb 10 oz
ENGR AVING & FINISH
.410 4 lb 10 oz (2.06 kg)
Traditional f ine rose and scroll with
colour-hardened or bright f inish.
5 lb (2.27 kg)
Additional extra f inish engraving
Weights of guns can be designated at
ordering.
options on request.

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PU RDE Y C AN SU PPLY
AN E XTR A BARREL IN
A DIFFERENT C ALIBRE
IN TH E FOLLOWING
COM BINATIONS

20 -bore barrels on a 16 -bore gun

28 -bore barrels on a 20 -bore gun

.410 barrels on a 28 -bore gun

TH E OVER-AN D - U N DER GU N IS AVAIL ABLE IN DEDIC ATED AC TION SIZES IN ALL

C ALIBRES IN SQUARE , ROU N D OR U LTR A- ROU N D AC TION SHAPES . WEIG HTS OF GU NS

CALIBRES ACTION STOCK 12-BORE 7 lb 4 oz (3.29 kg)

.410, 28, 20, 16 and 12 on dedicated Square bar, round bar or Straight or pistol grip. 7 lb 14 oz (3.57 kg)
action sizes. ultra-round bar. Chequered butt or leather covered 16-BORE 6 lb 12 oz (2.95 kg)
recoil pad. Heel and toe pieces. 7 lb 4 oz (3.18 kg)
CHAMBERS TRIGGERS
Skeleton heel plate. Full heel plate. 20-BORE 6 lb 6 oz (2.89 kg)
2 and 3. Non-selective single trigger.
Gold or silver oval. Inlaid gold or 6 lb 12 oz (3.00 kg)
Double triggers with optional spring
BARRELS silver letters. 28-BORE 5 lb 10 oz (2.55 kg)
bladed front trigger.
Demi-bloc barrels, length on request. 6 lb (2.72 kg)
ENGR AVING & FINISH
GUARD .410 5 lb 4oz (2.38 kg) 5 lb 12 oz
CHOKES Traditional f ine rose and scroll with
F lat or beaded edge to trigger bow. (2.60 kg)
Fixed or choke inserts. colour-hardened or bright f inish.
SAFET Y Weights of guns can be designated at
RIB Additional extra f inish engraving
Automatic or non-automatic. ordering.
Ventilated or solid rib, matted, options on request.
f ile cut or plain f inish.

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OVER-AND-UNDER
Throughout the early part of the 20th century, Over-and-
Under shotguns became increasingly popular. However,
despite an increase in demand, Athol Purdey was reluctant
to develop the Purdey version. His sons, James and Tom,
were not to be deterred and in 1923 they persuaded their
father to reconsider his objections. It was from then on that
the design began to evolve.
The biggest single change occurred 25 years later when, in
1948, Purdey bought James Woodward & Sons, a gunmaker
famed for their Over-and-Under shotgun and the mechanism
it used. This acquisition provided Purdey with the outstanding
and unrivalled design that it has used ever since.
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DAMASCUS SIDE-BY-SIDE

Our Side-by-Side Damascus shotguns were a world f irst. Crafted

using Swedish Damasteel, the gun has exceptional strength.

Our Damascus shotguns come in all available bores on dedicated

actions. The absence of engraving reveals the extraordinary
patterns unique to Damascus steel. Typically, we only engrave
these guns with standard lettering or gold inlay so as to emphasise
the dramatic look of the gun.

DAMASCUS OVER-AND-UNDER

The Over-and-Under, like the Damascus Side-by-Side, uses

steel specially produced for Purdey with a proprietary powder
metallurg y technolog y. This result is a stunning blend of
centuries-old craft with the best modern steels.

10
 Purdeys all-Damascus shotguns come

in all available calibres on dedicated

actions. The absence of engraving

reveals the extraordinar y patterns

of fered by Damascus steel. We simply

name and number these guns with

standard lettering or gold inlay, to

bring out the unique look of the metal.

AVAIL ABLE IN SIDE- BY-SIDE AN D OVER-AN D - U N DER CON FIGU R ATIONS WEIG HTS OF GU NS

CALIBRES ACTION STOCK SIDE-BY-SIDE

.410, 28, 20, 16 and 12 on dedicated Square bar, round bar or Straight or pistol grip. 12-BORE 6 lb 6oz (2.69 kg)
action sizes. ultra-round bar. Chequered butt or leather covered 6 lb 12 oz (3.58 kg)
recoil pad. Heel and toe pieces. 20-BORE 5 lb 15oz (2.69 kg)
CHAMBERS TRIGGERS
Skeleton heel plate. Full heel plate. 6 lb 4 oz (3.00 kg)
2 and 3. Non-selective single trigger.
Gold or silver oval. Inlaid gold or 28-BORE 5 lb 2 oz (2.32 kg)
Double triggers with optional spring
BARRELS silver letters. 5 lb 8 oz (2.49 kg)
bladed front trigger.
Demi-bloc barrels, length on request. Weights of guns can be designated at
ENGR AVING & FINISH
GUARD
CHOKES J Purdey & Sons in gold on barrels,
ordering.
F lat or beaded edge to trigger bow.
Fixed or choke inserts. J Purdey & Sons on action bolsters,
SAFET Y
RIB Purdey on underside or end of
Automatic or non-automatic. forend iron.
Options as per standard steel guns.

11
 The timeless elegance of the hammer gun

has been brilliantly recaptured by Purdey

craftsmen. They are wonderful to handle

and to shoot. The Purdey Hammer Gun, now

available in 20 -Bore, is ever y bit as delightful

to use and beautiful to behold as its 19th

centur y predecessors.

TH E HAM M ER GU N IS AVAIL ABLE IN DEDIC ATED 12 AN D 20 - BORE AC TION SIZES . WEIG HTS OF GU NS

CALIBRES RIB SAFET Y 12-BORE from 6 lb 8 oz (2.94 kg)

20 and 12-bore on dedicated Concave game or semi bottom Automatic or non-automatic. 7 lb (3.06 kg)
action sizes. rib in Churchill ty pe matted, 20-BORE from 5 lb 15 oz (2.69 kg)
STOCK
plain f inish or f ile cut. 6 lb 4 oz (2.83 kg)
CHAMBERS Straight or pistol grip.
2 and 3. ACTION Chequered butt or leather covered
Square bar. recoil pad. Heel and toe pieces.
BARRELS
Skeleton heel plate. Full heel plate.
Chopper lump construction, TRIGGERS
Gold or silver oval. Inlaid gold or
length on request. Damas barrels Double triggers with optional spring
silver letters.
additional option. bladed front.
ENGR AVING & FINISH
CHOKES GUARD
Traditional f ine rose and scroll with
Fixed or choke inserts. F lat or beaded edge to trigger bow.
colour-hardened or bright f inish.
Additional extra f inish engraving
options on request.

12
PURDEY HAMMER EJECTOR

Throughout the history of gunmaking, a number of the Great Shots,

preferred shooting with a hammer gun. In 2004, our craftsmen
re-captured the elegance of a classic 12-bore Purdey hammer gun.
The result is a gun that is wonderful to handle and a thrill to shoot.
In recent years we have also produced our 20-bore hammer gun,
which is every bit as magical.

13
PURDEY DOUBLE RIFLE

In the mid-1800s, James Purdey the Younger named his new

rif le calibres Express after the trains of that era which were the
fastest thing in the world. In todays nitro age, the word express
has become intrinsically linked to the term nitro express,
now used by double rif le makers the world over.

Throughout its history, Purdey has built many rif les in many
calibres for sportsmen across the world.

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DOU BLE RIFLE OP TIONS
CALIBRES
From 5.6 x 52R .600 Nitro Express.
A ll rif les are made on dedicated
action sizes and relevant calibres
can be advised on purchase.
BARRELS
Chopper-lump barrels to required
length.
SIGHTS
Express sights with folding leaves
to required distances and telescopic
sights available on quick detachable
mounts. Folding or slip-of f shroud.
Moon sight.
ACTION
Traditional square bar
bolstered action.
Third grip and clip sides.
Extended top and bottom straps.
TRIGGERS
Double triggers with optional spring
bladed front trigger.
GUARD
F lat or beaded edge to trigger bow.
SAFET Y
Non-automatic, or automatic.
Bolted safety if required.
15
STOCK FOREND
Straight or pistol grip Splinter or beaver-tail forends.
with cap and trap.
ENGR AVING & FINISH
Chequered butt or leather covered
Traditional f ine rose and scroll
recoil pad. Heel and toe pieces.
with colour-hardened or bright f inish.
Skeleton heel plate. Full heel plate.
Additional extra f inish engraving
Gold or silver oval. Inlaid gold or
options on request.
silver letters.
BOLT ACTION RIFLE

We have made bolt action rif les since the inception of the Mauser. Usually, a Purdey rif le
is based on a double square bridge action, but you can also choose the Kurz or military
variant, if preferred.

It is normal to use the three stage side safety, specifying your own barrel weight and length.
You can also request either f ixed or detachable scope mounts.

Our bolt actions are produced in partnership with the British f irm Mayfair Engineering.

BOLT RIFLE OP TIONS

CALIBRES ACTION STOCK ENGR AVING & FINISH

Most modern calibres available.
BARRELS
Barrel weights as required.
SIGHTS
Standard open sights.
Small or large bead foresight with slip
of f or folding shroud.
Telescopic sights available on request.
Modern Mauser-style double Straight or pistol grip. Traditional f ine rose and scroll
square bridge. Chequered butt or leather covered with colour-hardened or bright f inish.
Kurz also available. recoil pad. Heel and toe pieces. Additional engraving options on
Skeleton heel plate. Full heel plate. request.
TRIGGERS
Gold or silver oval. Inlaid gold or
As required.
silver letters.
SAFET Y
Three position safety.

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17
THE SPORTER

The Sporter shares its design ancestry with the iconic early
20th century designs of Boss, Woodward and Edwinson
Green. An Over-and-Under shotgun, it was developed and
designed to shoot the most testing driven game or the most
challenging clay pigeons. It is available in 12 and 20 -bore
conf igurations and we of fer the option of interchangeable
28 -bore barrels for the 20 -bore.

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S P O RTER O P TI O N S WEIG HTS OF GU NS

CALIBRES RIB STOCK 12-BORE 7 lb 10 oz (3.46 kg)

12 and 20 -bore on dedicated
action sizes.
28 -bore barrels available
for 20 -bore action.
CHAMBERS
2 and 3.
BARRELS
From 25 to 34 (71cm to 81cm).
CHOKES
Fixed or chokes inserts.
Ventilated or solid with
matted f inish.
ACTION
Sporter trigger-plate action.
TRIGGERS
Detachable non-selective
single trigger.
Detachable double triggers.
SAFET Y
Automatic or non-automatic.
Straight or pistol grip. 8 lb (3.62 kg)
Chequered butt or leather covered 20-BORE 6 lb 12 oz (3.06 kg)
recoil pad. Heel and toe pieces. 7 lb (3.18 kg)
Skeleton heel plate. Full heel plate.
Gold or silver oval. Inlaid gold or
silver letters.
ENGR AVING & FINISH
Sporter pattern large scroll
with bright f inish.
Additional engraving
options on request.

19
ENGR AVING

Engraving has always been a feature of gunmaking, but it is in the

last 100 years that it has become an internationally recognised art
form in its own right.

Over time, the designs have developed in complexity as a marker

of quality and price. Prestigious engravers can achieve great fame
with their work being highly sought after.

Traditionally, a Purdey will feature our iconic f ine rose and scroll
engraving. This style was adopted in the 1880s and has since been
followed by all makers of best f irearms.

Large scroll engraving, gold inlay work and game scenes, whilst
popular today, were relatively rare on Purdey guns before the
Second World War.

However, since then, international collectors began to commission

elaborate styles and designs, and as gunmakers responded to demand,
the skills of engravers f lourished as never before.

There are now remarkable engraving specialists wherever f ine guns

are made. We have immediate access to the most outstanding, some
with waiting times that would usually span many years.

21
ORDERING A PURDEY

A Purdey shotgun or rif le is made according to your own exact

requirements, which we would be delighted to discuss with you.

As part of your experience, we recommend a consultation in the Long

Room, followed by a gun f itting. Please note that we can arrange
f ittings in various locations around the world.

Delivery times vary and will be quoted during ordering. For further
details, please visit Audley House, telephone +44 (0)20 7499 1801,
or email enquiries@purdey.com.

22
DIMENSION AND SPECIFICATION CHART

If you are thinking of ordering a Purdey gun, the following are points of consideration.

RIGHT HANDED LEFT HANDED

SIDE-BY-SIDE OVER-AND-UNDER HAMMER SPORTER DAMASCUS DOUBLE RIFLE BOLT ACTION RIFLE

12-BORE 20-BORE 28-BORE OTHER

CHAMBER SIZE STANDARD [2] OTHER

BARREL LENGTH [INCH/CM]

SINGLE TRIGGER DOUBLE TRIGGER SPRING-BLADED FRONT TRIGGER

BEADED EDGE TO TRIGGER BOW

RIGHT [OR BOTTOM] CHOKE LEFT [OR TOP] CHOKE TEAGUE CHOKE TUBES * FOR LEAD FOR STEEL

PLAIN RIB FINISH MATTED RIB FINISH FILE CUT RIB

SQUARE BAR ACTION ROUND BAR ACTION ULTRA-ROUND BAR ACTION

THIRD GRIP CLIP SIDES PINLESS LOCK PLATES

TRADITIONAL FINE SCROLL

EXTRA FINISH OTHER
ENGRAVING
GOLD PURDEY NAMING GOLD PURDEY ON FOREND
GOLD SERIAL NUMBER
INLAID ON LOCKS AND ACTION

GOLD SAFE INLAID PLAIN SAFE [NO GOLD INLAY] GOLD 1 + 2 ON PAIR

AUTOMATIC SAFE NON-AUTOMATIC SAFE

COLOUR HARDENED FINISH SILVER FINISH

PISTOL GRIP TO STOCK METAL CAP OTHER

PLAIN SILVERS RUBBER HEEL PAD LEATHER COVERED HEEL PAD TOE AND HEEL PIECES SKELETON HEEL PLATE

SPLINTER FOREND BEAVERTAIL FOREND

GOLD OVAL SILVER OVAL GOLD INLAID LETTERS SILVER INLAID LETTERS INITIALS

INLAID MONOGRAM OR MONOGRAM OR CREST

CREST IN STOCK ENGRAVED ON OVAL

EXTRA BARRELS LENGTH HOKE RIGHT [SxS] BOTTOM [O/U] CHOKE LEFT [SxS] top [O/U]

*SET COMPRISES: CYL, IMPCYL,

, , , FULL

23
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