The three all performed flawlessly. We both trading guns back and forth, had an opportunity to shoot all three. Travis was seriously considering purchasing a pair of Purdey's and the one with us was one of the pair.

I shot the Holland first and was surprised, as the stock was to long for me, I shot it well. The Purdey was ok. I missed several clays in a row. Lastly, I shot this Boss. To say I had a "Wow" moment is an understatement. This gun balanced, and swung like a dream. What really tipped the boat was how perfectly it opened and closed with the perfection and precision of a Rolex watch.

As Travis and I slipped the guns into their cases and retrieved our spent shells for reloading, I asked him how he liked the Purdey. His response was "I think I want to buy a Boss."

*Comes in its lovely makers oak and Leather case.

*Completed in 1899.

The barrels were reduced to 26" in the Purdey shop and choked perfectly to put more birds in your game bag. Light and well balanced this one you will never let go of once you get your hands on it.

Completed in 1901.

No cast means this gun could be shot well by a right- and left-handed shooter.

We have priced this Purdey extremely attractively and if you see one of our competitors has one for 10K more know there is a 90% chance ours is as good a gun or better than theirs.

*The photo's for some reason (the bright harsh lights I think) make the sidelocks look polished and super bright. In person they are not that way at all. We will attempt so new pictures soon.

*Note the great dimensions and chokes for many.

* This fine Purdey dates from 1898 so we can ship direct with no registration.

In its original makers case this fine shotgun would make a superb upland gun. I personally would open the right barrel to skeet and it would be ready to go! We can get this done for only $85.00 and quickly.

Wonderful 30" barrels with choking good for most hunting. Hand detachable sidelocks just like are found on their Royal grade.

*Comes in its vintage maker's case.

*See the gold crown on the bottom of the receiver. This indicates the gun is their high "Imperial" grade.

I knew George Reeb who had a fascinating business of restoring jet aircraft and putting them back into service like new. He collected the Reeb guns of his ancestors and had accumulated a magnificent collection as Reeb guns were known for being of the highest quality with ornamentation. I wonder what became of his collection? It is obviously possible this is a gun he owned at one time and was a part of his collection. He left us many years ago, a close friend to Bob Jones, my mentor., also long past.

This fine shotgun features a single select Miller trigger and note it is proofed for 2 3/4" shells.

*Note the rolled trigger guard and the locks featuring cocking indicators. This gun obviously has not seen a lot of use in its life and is a super value for a true between the wars London sidelock.

*I have to say, this one is a currant favorite in the shop! It is of the highest quality, and it just has that magic feel!

*Note the 30"-barrel length and having excellent choking for upland birds.

*The gun is tight, has nice bright bores, the ejectors work well and are in time, the wood is sound. The bluing is thinning but actually looks much better in person.

*Note the beautiful engraving and great stock dimensions.

*The wood is remarkable with a deep red hue to it and a stunning grain pattern.

*The right barrel, it must be noted, is on the edge of being out of proof at .739 but still retains safe wall thickness.

*This gun features chopperlump barrels that lock up tight to the breech. This will make someone a great upland gun.

*The proof marks indicate 1 1/4 oz. proofs which is usually a 2 3/4" proof but they also list the chambers at 2.5". I have carefully measured the chambers, and they are between 2.5 and 2.75. When the proof house finds this, they automatically mark it a 2.5" proof.

*Note the great stock dimensions for many.

*This gun has excellent dimensions and balance for many. Expertly sleeved in the UK and the mystery of the lack of engraving or name allows an opportunity for one to shoot a top-level gun at a very attractive price. And yes, the gun is tight and field ready!

*Antique (1898) so we can ship direct.

*We can remove the extension and have a nice pad installed to get a LOP of up to 14 3/4".

*This gun was proofed in both barrels at 12 which means it is in proof between .730 and .740. It currently measures .730 right and .731 left which tells us something we seldom see. This gun incredibly is still at the original bore diameter from when the gun was proofed 120 years ago. It has never seen a polishing. This is a great thing!

*The locks of this gun are of BEST design featuring safety sears. The firing pins are bushed also. This is something you generally only see in the high-grade guns.

This gun being near 100 years old and still retain over 50% original case color is remarkable. It handles well and is tight on face with excellent bores.

*Note the excellent choking for upland birds which I will guarantee will put more birds in your bag!

Completed in England in 1912, the peak of some of England's best gun making.

The bores are bright and spectacular engraving. The wood is in excellent condition and quite beautiful. No cast so good for left or right handed. Great choking for upland birds.

This gun is tight on face and field ready. A great value in an English sidelock with good stock dimensions and super wall thickness.

*Assets include full and mod choking, 2 3/4" nitro proofs, high stock for rising birds, and a solid 14 3/4" length of pull. The action features bushed firing pins, ejectors, side-clips, and obviously high-quality locks. For the super tall a pad could be added to get near 15 3/4"! This gun locks up vault tight and has excellent bores.

This is a super high quality sidelock for a bargain price.

*A client pointed out to us that the gold crown symbol represents that the owner was a member of the French Royal court. "Couronne Comtale"

*Negatives are from storage with some very fine pitting in places on the outside of the action even though it retains a good 40% original case color.

This is a very nice example of an English sidelock. It is well balanced and feels great between the hands as any well made gun should.

I did not know much of this maker so I did some sleuthing on internet and actually found quite a lot:

Built between 1901 and 1905 by address's on rib William Atkinson was the son of Joseph Atkinson of Lancaster. He was born in 1851. By 1871 William had joined his father in the business in Lancaster, but in about 1874 he opened his own business at 52 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Westmoreland; in about 1878 this moved to 8 All Hallows Lane. There may have been a branch of the firm in Preston. In 1874 William and his wife (Eleanor b. 1850) had a son, Joseph Harvey Atkinson, and in 1876 another, Arthur Falder Atkinson (both born in Kendal), they both worked in the business as gunmaker's assistants, there were also had two daughters born in Kendal, Edith (b.1873) and Maud (b.1878) who appear to have worked in the business. In 1881 Joseph Atkinson retired and William took over the business in Lancaster re-naming it William Atkinson. In about 1885 the firm moved to 20 Market Street, between 1890 and 1901 they took over the adjoining premises at 18 Market Street. Between 1890 and 1894 the business in Kendal moved to 58 Highgate. Joseph Atkinson died in the late 1890s, and in 1900 the firm Lancaster business was re-named William Atkinson & Sons. By this time the firm had a substantial trade in bicycles. In about 1901 a branch was opened at 11 Skipton Street, Morecambe, Lancashire. This was probably run by one of the sons, it appears to have closed in about 1905. Between 1901 and 1905 the Kendal business became known as Atkinson & Griffin, it appears to have ceased trading in 1925. Between about 1905 and 1909 the firm in Lancaster occupied premises in North Road. In about 1935 the firm moved to 26 Market Street, Lancaster, but the Lancaster business appears to have closed in 1940. In 1955 Thomas Atkinson & Sons was recorded at 19a Stricklandgate, Kendal. Thomas Atkinson was certainly related, perhaps only distantly. The firm appears to have closed in about 1985.

*Early Spring Sale guns have a no return policy unless we fail to mention a defect or serious problem

*These are a virtual bargain when compared to modern Purdey’s. At over 100 years old, they display and handle without refute. The #2 gun can be found under gun ID# 5852.

*I would like to point out this pair has excellent stock dimensions for many. For the tall pads could be added to achieve a LOP of up to 15 3/4". As a passionate upland hunter, I would like also to point out these guns are choked absolutely perfectly to put game limits in the bag!

You many not think you have heard of this English maker, but chances are you have if you know your WWI history. The Vickers machine gun helped win that war and our gun is by the same maker.

This little gem is in excellent unrestored condition. Check out the screws and the original case colors.

For those who like game scene engravings, this is a great rendition of pheasants in flight on one side and chukars on the other.