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Superb Victorian Vintage

Brass Mounted Leather On Oak

Double Gun Case 

by

James Purdey& Sons

Gun Makers 

57 South Audley St Mayfair London England

C1895

A stunning and extremely beautiful Victorian period vintage James Purdey case from James Purdey Audley House Mayfair. Oak Wood construction with heavy leather covering and  brass protective corners. Fully operational button catch alas there is no key, the lid opens to immediately recognizable red beize lined interior which unfortunately no longer retains the original makers trade label. The barrel compartments are set to 27" and would extend with blocks removed. The outer lid is marked to "A.G.L Maclean Queens Own Cameron Highlanders" 

The Queens own Cameron Highlanders were an infantry Regiment of the British army formed in 1793 and amalgamated with the Seaforth Highlanders in 1961. The Maclean family have a long tradition as officers with the Regiment dating right back to 1793.   

Overall the case is in superb solid clean antique condition as can be seen in the photographs, the leather has a superb aged patina which has been carefully cleaned and polished.

13"(33.1cm) by 30 1/4(76.8cm) by 3 1/2"(8.6cm) deep


James Purdey, was born in 1739 and worked as a blacksmith in the Minories, close to the Tower of London. As the gunmaking quarter, it’s doubtless that James carried out barrel work on behalf of the local gunsmiths. But it was not until James’s son, also christened James, and born in August 1784, started an apprenticeship with his brother-in-law the gunsmith Thomas Keck Hutchinson, that the Purdey gunmaking tradition truly began. James completed his apprenticeship in 1805. In seven years he had flourished, earning a place with Joseph Manton of Oxford Street - England’s greatest gunmaker. In 1814 having mastered his skills, Purdey set out on his own. He opened for business at 4 Princes Street, in a modest shop off Leicester Square, building single and double flintlock guns, duelling pistols, and rifles.Just like today, Purdey in 1814 not only made best guns, but also serviced and repaired them. With success came expansion and on 1 August 1826, James took
charge of 314 ½ Oxford Street, the premises of his former master, Manton. This was the most famous gun shop in London, supplying orders to everyone from English aristocracy to Indian princes. In 1831 Charles Darwin paid a visit, ordering guns and supplies for the voyage of HMS Beagle. In 1838 James Purdey’s most famous customer placed her first order. In the year of her coronation, Queen Victoria commissioned a pair of double-barrelled pistols from Purdey, for presentation to the Imam of Muscat. On 12 February 1868 the Prince of Wales, who became King Edward VII, granted James Purdey his Royal Warrant of Appointment. A decade later, on 28 March 1878, having purchased many Purdey guns and rifles, Queen Victoria 
assigned a Royal Warrant to Purdey, as has every British monarch since. 
Four years later Purdey moved into Audley House, a specially built property in newly developed Mayfair. 57 South Audley 
Street is still  Purdey’s home to this day, and its famed Long Room, originally built as a working office, is today 
revered in the game-gun community.

A lovely piece and would make a fine gift.

 Postage includes the cost of shipping insurance to the full value 

 Dont miss out on this superb piece of history as a wonderful collectors item.

We have included multiple pictures which form an integral and largest part of our description, please study them carefully and  feel free to ask any questions you may feel relevant.  All our items are antique or collectable with wear commensurate with age and use, please take this into account when purchasing.  

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