For over 200 years the name James Purdey & Sons has been synonymous with quality, class, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. This stunning pair is a glowing example of Purdey's work and makes it clear how they have earned their reputation and their seat at the highest table in the art of gunmaking. The pair exhibits timeless and tasteful embellishment that would not only be at home in any collection of fine European arms but also perfectly balanced tools afield chasing all manner of game. Each gun in the pair is built with blued steel bifurcated lump barrels featuring a single bead sight on the matted flat solid rib which is marked with a gold inlaid "1" or "2" set into a flourish of leaves indicating its place in the set and a single band of engraving at the breech which continues forward for the length of the chamber. The barrels are both marked "J. Purdey & Sons - London - England -" along the left side of the upper tube and bear London nitro proof marks dating to 2000 ("MM") which indicate 2 3/4 inch chambers, themselves featuring automatic ejectors. The barrels of each gun are fitted to a beautifully brushed bright semi-round body sidelock ejector action with hand detachable lockplates displaying extensive fully carved deep relief floral scroll engraving incorporating numerous small flowers with gold inlaid pistils at their centers and surrounding "J. Purdey & Sons" signatures on either side and "J. Purdey & Sons/London" on the underside before continuing onto the toplever, triggerguard, and both tangs, the bottom of which displays the serial number in deep relief. Both guns also display a trio of relief game scenes set directly over the scrollwork giving a highly attractive flow to the pieces not typically scene on in firearms engraving. On gun "1" (A), the left lockplate shows a quartet of pheasant cocks in flight, the right lockplate has five grouse, four of whom are standing and one alighting, and the underside shows five black grouse with one in flight and a pair posturing at the foreground. Gun "2" (B) shows five standing partridge on the left lockplate, six quail on the underside with four standing and two in flight, and five standing red grouse on the right lockplate. The engraving is signed on the triggerplate to the right of the trigger "Ph. Grifnee" for world renowned Master Engraver Philippe Grifnee, one of the most highly sought after engravers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and one of the finest to ever put a graver to steel. Both guns feature gold centerlined cocking indicators on the lockplates, a single non-selective trigger, a right hand rolled triggerguard, and a tang mounted automatic safety with a bird's head relief engraved on the slide. Both guns are fitted with a stunning exhibition quality multi-point checkered forend with deep relief engraved brushed bright forend irons to match the rest of the gun along with the Anson button style release which is marked with a small "1" or "2". The stocks of each gun are of the same exceptional quality and feature straight hand grips, the same lovely checkering, teardrop carved drop points, "RML" inlaid in gold directly into the wood behind the lower tang, and brushed bright and engraved heel and toe plates above and below the checkered bare butt. The makers have confirmed that these guns were built together as a pair and completed on October 8th, 2001, and confirmed the 28 inch barrels, the 20 gauge chamberings, the choke constrictions, "silver" finish, single triggers, beaded edge triggerguards, straight stocks, heel and toe plates, gold initials, weight, and the all important engraving by the legendary Master Engraver Philippe Grifnee. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed at 15.6mm (.614 inches) and measured .612/.613 inches; choke constriction .005/.006 inches; minimum wall thickness .033/.031 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 15 1/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 6 lbs. 6 oz.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue, brushed bright, and gold finishes showing only minimal handling evidence. The wood has a few tiny marks and sharp checkering at the wrist and forend. Mechanically excellent.

As described in "A". Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured at 15.6mm (.614 inches); choke constriction .005/.006 inches; minimum wall thickness .035/.034 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 15 1/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 6 lbs. 6 oz. Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue, brushed bright, and gold finishes with minimal handling evidence and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. An fantastic chance to own a pair of guns engraved by one of the finest engravers of his time, Phillipe Grifnee, and made by one of the finest makers there is, do not let this opportunity pass you by!