Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this pinnacle British shotgun today for auction, this is a James Purdey & Sons "Best Quality" Sidelock Ejector!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: James Purdey & Sons (Audley House, South Audley Street, London, England)
Model: "Best Quality" Sidelock Ejector Game Gun (Beesley Patent Self-Opening System)
Serial: 19692
Caliber: 12 Gauge / 12-Bore (Chambered for 2-1/2" British Shells / Nitro Proofed 1-1/8 oz)
Finish: Coin-Finished / Polished Action & Sidelocks w/ Lustrous English Rust-Blued Barrels
Barrel Length: 27" Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Pressed Steel Side-by-Side Barrels w/ Concave Matted Game Rib & Choked Muzzles
Optics/Sights: No Rear Sight; Matted Engine-Turned Concave Game Rib w/ Metal Bead Front Sight
Stock/Grips: Exhibition-Grade English Circassian Walnut Straight-Hand Stock w/ Fine Multi-Point Checkering, Carved Drop Points & Splinter Forend w/ Anson Push-Rod Release
Action: Frederick Beesley Patent Self-Opening Hammerless Sidelock Ejector Side-by-Side Shotgun w/ Double Triggers, Automatic Top-Tang Safety & Sideplate Cocking Indicators
Markings: Barrels roll-engraved along top center "J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL"; sidelocks engraved "J. PURDEY & SONS"; receiver belly engraved "J. PURDEY & SONS / LONDON"; top-tang safety slide inlaid with yellow gold "SAFE"; lower tang stamped with matching serial "19692"; splinter forend iron stamped with matching serial "19692"; barrel tubes stamped with matching serial "19692" and "CHOKE"; barrel flats stamped with matching serial, Crown over "V" view proofs, London Crown over "NP" Nitro Proofs, "NITRO PROOF 1 1/8", and diamond "12 / C" stamps; action water table stamped with Crown over "V" view proofs and matching assembly numbers.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Holding Royal Warrants to the British Crown continuously since the reign of Queen Victoria, James Purdey & Sons represents the absolute zenith of traditional British "Best Gun" sporting culture. Manufactured out of Purdey’s storied Audley House workshop in Mayfair, London, this side-by-side sidelock is built upon the legendary 1880 patent invented by Frederick Beesley, a former Purdey gunsmith whose revolutionary self-opening mechanism Purdey purchased for £55. The Beesley action harnesses one leg of the powerful V-shaped mainspring to fire the tumbler and the opposing leg to cam the barrels open upon unlocking, providing an exceptionally fast, effortless break-action cycling speed that transformed driven grouse and pheasant shooting into high art. Coupled with barrels struck from Sir Joseph Whitworth's fluid pressed steel—the undisputed gold standard in late 19th- and 20th-century ordnance metallurgy—the Purdey Best Gun established an unrivaled pedigree of dynamic balance, mechanical genius, and enduring luxury. This magnificent London Best example, bearing matching serial number 19692 across the barrel set, lower tang, forend iron, and action water table, embodies every hallmark of Purdey’s benchmark craftsmanship. The action body, lockplates, fences, top lever, and trigger guard are blanketed in Purdey’s signature fine bouquet rose-and-scroll engraving, displaying breathtaking depth and microscopic execution that remains crisp and vibrant across the bright coin-finished surfaces. The 27-inch barrels retain rich, deep rust bluing with sharp Audley House and Whitworth Steel inscriptions along the rib, complemented by an automatic top-tang safety with its original gold-inlaid "SAFE" lettering intact. Stocked in premier-grade European walnut exhibiting deep dark mineral veining, crisp teardrop carvings behind the lockplates, and refined multi-point checkering, the gun shoulders with lively, fluid balance. Truly an investment-grade British treasure, this Purdey "Best Quality" sidelock ejector represents one of the finest sporting arms ever produced.
Model: "Best Quality" Sidelock Ejector Game Gun (Beesley Patent Self-Opening System)
Serial: 19692
Caliber: 12 Gauge / 12-Bore (Chambered for 2-1/2" British Shells / Nitro Proofed 1-1/8 oz)
Finish: Coin-Finished / Polished Action & Sidelocks w/ Lustrous English Rust-Blued Barrels
Barrel Length: 27" Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Pressed Steel Side-by-Side Barrels w/ Concave Matted Game Rib & Choked Muzzles
Optics/Sights: No Rear Sight; Matted Engine-Turned Concave Game Rib w/ Metal Bead Front Sight
Stock/Grips: Exhibition-Grade English Circassian Walnut Straight-Hand Stock w/ Fine Multi-Point Checkering, Carved Drop Points & Splinter Forend w/ Anson Push-Rod Release
Action: Frederick Beesley Patent Self-Opening Hammerless Sidelock Ejector Side-by-Side Shotgun w/ Double Triggers, Automatic Top-Tang Safety & Sideplate Cocking Indicators
Markings: Barrels roll-engraved along top center "J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL"; sidelocks engraved "J. PURDEY & SONS"; receiver belly engraved "J. PURDEY & SONS / LONDON"; top-tang safety slide inlaid with yellow gold "SAFE"; lower tang stamped with matching serial "19692"; splinter forend iron stamped with matching serial "19692"; barrel tubes stamped with matching serial "19692" and "CHOKE"; barrel flats stamped with matching serial, Crown over "V" view proofs, London Crown over "NP" Nitro Proofs, "NITRO PROOF 1 1/8", and diamond "12 / C" stamps; action water table stamped with Crown over "V" view proofs and matching assembly numbers.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Holding Royal Warrants to the British Crown continuously since the reign of Queen Victoria, James Purdey & Sons represents the absolute zenith of traditional British "Best Gun" sporting culture. Manufactured out of Purdey’s storied Audley House workshop in Mayfair, London, this side-by-side sidelock is built upon the legendary 1880 patent invented by Frederick Beesley, a former Purdey gunsmith whose revolutionary self-opening mechanism Purdey purchased for £55. The Beesley action harnesses one leg of the powerful V-shaped mainspring to fire the tumbler and the opposing leg to cam the barrels open upon unlocking, providing an exceptionally fast, effortless break-action cycling speed that transformed driven grouse and pheasant shooting into high art. Coupled with barrels struck from Sir Joseph Whitworth's fluid pressed steel—the undisputed gold standard in late 19th- and 20th-century ordnance metallurgy—the Purdey Best Gun established an unrivaled pedigree of dynamic balance, mechanical genius, and enduring luxury. This magnificent London Best example, bearing matching serial number 19692 across the barrel set, lower tang, forend iron, and action water table, embodies every hallmark of Purdey’s benchmark craftsmanship. The action body, lockplates, fences, top lever, and trigger guard are blanketed in Purdey’s signature fine bouquet rose-and-scroll engraving, displaying breathtaking depth and microscopic execution that remains crisp and vibrant across the bright coin-finished surfaces. The 27-inch barrels retain rich, deep rust bluing with sharp Audley House and Whitworth Steel inscriptions along the rib, complemented by an automatic top-tang safety with its original gold-inlaid "SAFE" lettering intact. Stocked in premier-grade European walnut exhibiting deep dark mineral veining, crisp teardrop carvings behind the lockplates, and refined multi-point checkering, the gun shoulders with lively, fluid balance. Truly an investment-grade British treasure, this Purdey "Best Quality" sidelock ejector represents one of the finest sporting arms ever produced.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1218091294 |
BidPrice: |
10899.99 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-11-15 22:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
0 |
