James Purdey & Sons have been making the finest quality guns, rifles and accessories in

London since the year 1814, supplying many of the world’s most distinguished and
discerning people with their shooting needs, not least the British Royal Family.

Queen Victoria ordered her first Purdeys in 1838: a pair of pistols, as a royal gift to the
Imam of Muscat. Her eldest son the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, granted
his Royal Warrant to the founder’s son, James Purdey the Younger, in 1868, an honour
subsequently accorded to the firm by each succeeding British Monarch, including Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The
Prince of Wales.

The design of sporting guns advanced rapidly in the sixty years between 1820 and 1880.
Purdey was at the forefront of these technical innovations, just as it is today, through
its development of advanced CNC machining techniques for gunmaking. What has
remained unchanged throughout Purdey’s history is the passion for perfection and
precision, and the never ending search for improvement.

It is these qualities which lie at the heart of the exceptional elegance, performance, and
longevity built into all Purdey guns, and on which the firm’s world famous reputation
is built and maintained.
 PURDEY BESPOKE
GUNS & RIFLES
Ordering a new gun or rifle, built to your requirements and
measurements, is a very special experience, and a much prized
part of Purdey’s discreet and personal service. Clients tell us
their individual requirements and our experienced gun room
staff will advise on the best combination of features and
the best type, and bore or calibre, of gun or rifle for your
particular type of shooting.
Purdey always recommend, if possible, a visit to the shooting
grounds to shoot with the try gun or rifle. There your
measurements are taken whilst shooting and wearing
appropriate clothing. There is little difference between a
gun-fitting, and a fitting for a suit. Just as the skilled tailor
ensures a perfect fit and flatters the wearer’s shape, so Purdey
craftsmen ensure that a gun built to individual measurements
fits perfectly, and optimises the shooter’s skill.
PURDEY GUNMAKING
IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Purdey has a continuing investment programme in
re-equipping its West London factory with the latest
generation of CNC machines.
This investment has enabled more changes to be made
in Purdey gunmaking than were possible in the previous
hundred years. All Purdey gun parts are now manufactured in
house. With tolerances measured in microns these precision
made components significantly reduce the time formerly spent
by skilled craftsmen on preparation of rough forgings, instead
allowing them more time to focus their unrivalled hand
and eye skills on perfecting shape, fit and finish, endowing
each and every gun with its individuality and soul. The new
technology ensures absolute accuracy and consistency of each
and every part, improved jointing, and simpler maintenance
during the life of a gun – even one built to last centuries.
PURDEY SIDE BY SIDE GAME GUN
 Purdey offers dedicated action sizes on all its guns. In square,
round or ultra-round action shapes. This gives each gun perfect
proportions and is extremely important to the overall look,
balance and feel.

JAMES WOODWARD & COMPANY

Woodward was, and is, a marque greatly respected by Purdey,
and both the Woodward over and under and the side by side,
with its trademark arcaded fences, continue to be faithfully
reproduced for Woodward devotees. These are numbered with
sequential Woodward serial numbers and with Woodward
style fine scroll engraving.

Our side by side guns are built on the famous self-opening system patented by Frederick Beesley in 1880.
WEIGHTS OF GUNS
With the exception of our hammer guns this system has been in use ever since.

Calibres Safety 12-bore

.410, 28, 20, 16, 12-bore on dedicated action sizes Automatic or non-automatic 6 lb 8 oz (2.94 kg)
Chambers Stock 16-bore
2 ¾” & 3” (70 & 76mm) Straight or pistol grip 6 lb 2 oz (2.77 kg)
Chequered butt or leather covered recoil pad
Barrels Heel & toe pieces 20-bore
Chopper-lump construction 28”, 29”, 30” (71cm, 74cm, 76cm) Gold or silver oval 5 lb 15 oz (2.69 kg)
Inlaid gold letters
Chokes 28-bore
Fixed or choke tubes Engraving 5 lb 3 oz (2.35 kg)
Traditional fine rose and scroll with colour-hardened
Rib .410
or bright finish
Concave, flat top or Churchill type 4 lb 10 oz (2.09 kg)
PURDEY OVER AND UNDER GUN - HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
Purdey were relative latecomers in introducing an over and Undeterred, James and Tom persisted, and gradually the weight
under gun. This configuration had become increasingly came down, the looks improved and a few were sold each year.
popular and fashionable in the early years of the 20th Century In 1948, with the firm under new ownership, and Tom Purdey
with the rise of competition live pigeon shooting, and continuing as Managing Director, Purdey acquired the London
subsequently clay targets. gunmaker James Woodward, famous not only for their excellent
side by side guns, but also their superb over and under,
Athol Purdey, who ran the firm from 1900 until 1929, was patented in 1913. Thus Purdey found itself with an over and
concerned that an over and under mechanism might prove under unquestionably superior to its own, and the pragmatic
insufficiently robust and thus damage the company’s reputation. decision was taken to adopt the Woodward design which, with
one or two minor modifications, became the Purdey.
Eventually, in 1923, the next generation, James and Tom Purdey,
understanding the growing demand for this configuration,
prevailed upon their father to allow an experimental over and
under to be built. Not altogether surprisingly, given Athol’s
concerns, the first examples were over engineered and too WEIGHTS OF GUNS
heavy, not only in weight but in looks.
12-bore
The over and under gun is available in dedicated action sizes in all calibres. In square, round or ultra-round action shapes. 7 lb 10 oz (3.45 kg)
Available with double or non-selective single triggers and automatic or non-automatic safety catches.
16-bore
Calibres Triggers 6 lb 10 oz (3.00 kg)
.410, 28, 20, 16, 12-bore on dedicated action sizes Non-selective single trigger 20-bore
Double triggers with optional spring bladed front
Chambers 6 lb 8 oz (2.94 kg)
2 ¾” & 3” (70 & 76mm) Guard
28-bore
Flat or beaded edge
Barrels 6 lb (2.72 kg)
Demi-bloc barrels 28”, 29”, 30” (71cm, 74cm, 76cm) Safety
.410
Automatic or non-automatic
Chokes 5 lb 12 oz (2.60 kg)
Fixed or choke tubes Stock
Straight or pistol grip
Rib Chequered butt or leather covered recoil pad Purdey can supply an extra barrel in a different
Solid game rib Heel & toe pieces calibre in the following combinations:
Gold or silver oval
Action 20-bore barrels on a 16-bore action
Inlaid gold letters
Round bar 28-bore barrels on a 20-bore action
Traditional square bar also available .410 barrels on a 28-bore action
 PURDEY SPORTER

The Sporter is the latest addition to the Purdey over and under
range, available in 12 and 20-bore, the latter offering the option
of interchangeable 28-bore barrels.

Whether shooting sporting clays or driven game the Sporter

performs and handles like a true Purdey, but thanks to the cost
efficiency of today’s precision machining technology, comes
at a price more easily affordable than Purdey’s hand built
bespoke range, yet without compromising the standards of
quality and attention to detail with which the name Purdey
is synonymous.
The Purdey Sporter shares its ancestry with early twentieth
century designs of over and under guns by English makers
such as Boss, Woodward, and Edwinson Green. These were to
influence several other makers, notably the Italian firm of Perazzi.
In 1968 the boutique Brescia gunmaker Perugini & Visini
produced their own improved version of the Perazzi design,
and then, in 2005, joined with Purdey to make further design
changes and developments. This resulted in the Purdey Sporter.
Whilst the Sporter stems from a long established and successful
design, it has been extensively re-engineered to take advantage
of Purdey’s advanced CNC machining technology. The
essential components are all made in the Purdey factory. These
are then shipped to Brescia for Perugini & Visini to insert
the barrels in the monoblocs and fit high grade walnut stocks
supplied by Purdey. The Italian company has the specialised
experience, skills and machines to undertake this work more
cost effectively than in London.
The hand engraving of the Sporter’s specially commissioned
large scroll and ribbon design is also done in Italy, after which
the guns are assembled and returned to London for proofing,
regulating and final hand finishing by Purdey craftsmen.
To reach production of the Sporter took three years of
painstaking research, development and rigorous testing during
the course of which Purdey made no less than 84 separate
design modifications and improvements. Thanks to modern
gunmaking technology the Sporter is built to extremely fine
tolerances, which ensure long term mechanical integrity and
strength, and robust and reliable service for generations to come
– a gun which shoots as well as it looks – a true Purdey.

SPORTER OPTIONS
Calibres Action
20 & 12-bore on dedicated action sizes Sporter trigger-plate action
28-bore barrels available for 20-bore action
Triggers
Chambers Detachable non-selective single trigger
2 ¾” & 3” (70 & 76mm) Detachable double triggers also available
Barrels Safety
28”, 29”, 30” (71cm, 74cm, 76cm) Automatic or non-automatic
WEIGHTS OF GUNS
Chokes Engraving
Teague choke tubes Sporter pattern large scroll
12-bore
Fixed chokes also available
Stock 7 lb 10 oz (3.46 kg)
Rib Purdey pistol grip
20-bore
Ventilated or solid Rubber recoil pad
Silver oval 6 lb 8 oz (2.95 kg)
PURDEY HAMMER GUN - 12-BORE & 20-BORE
 THE PURDEY 12-BORE THE PURDEY HAMMER GUNS
12-BORE & 20-BORE
Purdey perfected their double barrelled shotgun in the 1880’s
with the advent of its sidelock hammerless ejector gun, where In 2004 the first of a series of brand new 12-bore hammer guns
the hammers were incorporated into the then revolutionary was delivered to its American owner. Notwithstanding Purdey’s
self cocking lock mechanism. The Purdey sidelock also had proud history and tradition, remaking a gun of this type might
the additional benefit of power assisted opening, designed by sound like a retrograde step, but that is to forget the many
a Purdey gunmaker, Frederick Beesley. This system employs enthusiasts who relish the discipline required to shoot this type
part of the residual power in the compressed mainsprings of gun smoothly and with precision.
to operate lifters which help open the gun faster and reduce
the time taken reloading. This may shave only a fraction They enjoy shooting hammer guns for the same reason
of a second off reloading but on a busy drive this can make as a vintage car enthusiast, without the help of a modern
a significant difference to your rate of fire, especially when synchromesh gearbox, enjoys making slick and noiseless changes.
shooting double guns at grouse or partridge. The 12-bore It is a challenge, and a real skill. Once mastered, the rhythm of
Purdey hammerless sidelock ejector gun with its unique opening, loading, cocking, firing, opening and reloading a
assisted opening action remains to this day the classic light game hammer gun becomes second nature – like swift and silent
gun, perfected over 130 years of continuous production, and gear changes. The timeless elegance of the hammer gun has
still the most popular gun in the entire Purdey range. been brilliantly recaptured by Purdey craftsmen, and they are
wonderful to handle and to shoot. The Purdey Hammer Gun
HAMMER GUN OPTIONS now also available in 20-bore is every bit as delightful to use
Calibres Action and beautiful to behold as its 19th Century prototype.
20 & 12-bore on dedicated action sizes Traditional square bar
Chambers Triggers
2 ¾” Double triggers with optional spring bladed front
Barrels Guard
Chopper lump construction 28”, 29”, 30” (71cm, 74cm, 76cm) Flat or beaded edge
Chokes Safety
Fixed or choke tubes Automatic or non-automatic WEIGHTS OF GUNS
Rib Stock
½” wide hammer gun rib Straight or pistol grip 12-bore
Concave game rib also available Chequered butt or leather covered recoil pad from 6 lb 8 oz (2.94 kg)
Heel & toe pieces
Gold or silver oval 20-bore
Inlaid gold letters from 5 lb 15 oz (2.69 kg)
PURDEY DOUBLE BARREL & BOLT ACTION RIFLES

Purdey have been building best quality single and double

barrelled sporting rifles since the firm was first established.
Like the shotgun, their design and technology improved and
developed through the 19th Century.

From the 1850’s demand for sporting double rifles increased

significantly, and Purdey built rifles for use throughout the
British Empire, as well as in Europe, Russia, and North and
South America.
 It was James Purdey the Younger (1828 – 1909), son of the
founder, who in the 1870’s coined the term Express Double
Rifle, because, like an express train, the fastest means of
transport at that time known to man, a bullet from a Purdey
double rifle was heavy, travelled at great velocity and with a
flat trajectory.
Like the Purdey hammerless shotgun, the design of the
Purdey side by side double rifle has changed very little since
the 1880’s when the first hammerless examples made their first
appearance and black powder started to give way to more
powerful and faster nitro express loads.
James Purdey & Sons continue to produce a limited number
of bespoke double rifles each year, offering the following
calibres on a dedicated action size. These are .375 H&H, .470
Nitro, and .600 Nitro. Other calibres, according to individual
requirements, can be quoted for.
Bespoke bolt action rifles are made to customer requirements.
They are built on modern Mauser type actions and are available
in most modern calibres.
Telescopic sights and quick detachable mounts are available
on request.

DOUBLE RIFLE OPTIONS

Calibres Sights Triggers Stock
.375, 470, 500, 600 on dedicated action sizes Express sights on quarter rib Double triggers with spring bladed front Pistol grip and cap box
Other calibres available on request Large or small bead foresight with flip-up moonsight Cheek piece
Telescopic sights available as required Guard Sling swivels
Barrels Flat or beaded edge Leather covered recoil pad
Chopper-lump barrels from 23” Action Gold or silver oval
Traditional square bar bolstered action Safety
Inlaid gold letters
Third grip and clip sides Non-automatic bolted safety catch
Extended top strap Forend
Splinter or beaver-tail forends
BOLT RIFLE OPTIONS
Calibres Sights Safety Engraving
Most modern calibres available Standard and one folding leaf Three position safety Traditional fine rose & scroll
Small or large bead foresight with sliding protector with colour-hardened,
Barrel Telescopic sights available on request Stock blued or bright finish
As required Pistol grip and cap box
Action Cheek piece
Modern Mauser type Chequered butt or leather covered recoil pad
Trigger Gold or silver oval
Inlaid gold letters
As required
ENGRAVING
Decorative engraving on guns dates back to the earliest days
of gunmaking but only in the last 50 years has gun engraving
developed into an internationally recognised art form, with
individual engravers achieving fame and examples of their work
becoming highly prized and sought after by collectors.
Gunmakers originally used relatively simple scroll patterns
to decorate their guns and to differentiate quality and
price. Engraving requires great skill and artistry, which takes
time and costs money, so it follows that the more elaborate the
engraving the more expensive the gun.
In the mid 1850’s Purdey adopted as standard their now
traditional fine rose and scroll bouquet engraving and colour
hardening on all shotguns and rifles. With individual
manufacturers’ variations this became a style followed by all
makers of best quality guns and rifles and distinguishes the
English sporting gun at a glance. Although there are examples
of large scroll engraving, gold inlay work, and game scenes on
Purdey guns dating from before the Second World War they
are relatively rare.
After the Second World War, and the arrival on the London
gun scene of international collectors, especially those from
the United States, the whole world of gun engraving, and
gun making, was revolutionised. Here was a new market
of wealthy individuals who knew exactly what they
wanted and who competed with each other to achieve new
styles and innovation in elaborately engraved guns. It was
they, rather than the gunmakers, who provided the initial
incentive, encouragement, and employment for talented
engraving artists, and as gunmakers responded to this new
demand, engravers flourished as never before.
There are now many specialist gun engravers at work round
the world, mainly in Britain and Europe, producing outstanding
examples of their craft on a significant percentage of best
quality guns, and turning each and every one into a unique
work of art. Some engravers are so sought after that they have
waiting lists of several years.
AUDLEY HOUSE, 57-58 SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON W1K 2ED
Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 1801 Fax: +44 (0)20 7355 3297

enquiries@purdey.com
www.purdey.com