20 GAUGE PURDEY

THE PURDEY 20 BORE

Sporting Gun

James Purdey and Sons has been making fine shotguns and rifles since 1814 and has been headquartered in its flagship store in Mayfair, in London’s West End since 1883. Purdey is the first choice when seeking a fine English-made gun, having over the years built bespoke guns for royalty from all across the world.

In 2020 Purdey and Sons introduced the 12 bore Purdey trigger plate game gun to great fanfare. The great success of the 12 gauge led to the request for a matching 20 gauge companion gun. In response to the growing demand for smaller bores, along with the success of Purdey trigger plate design, the 20 gauge trigger plate was born. This fully scaled action is an excellent choice for those who love beautifully made, lighter carrying small bore guns.

The Purdey trigger plate is made entirely by hand in Purdey’s Hammersmith, London workshop from beginning to end. No gun leaves Purdey unless it passes through seven stages of gun making, overseen by the company’s craftsman. Their timeless gunsmithing traditions combined with the most up to date technology arguably produces the best and most elegant London made shotguns in the world.

The new 20 gauge trigger plate was extensively tested to make sure it can comfortably meet the demands of today’s sporting lifestyle—be it the clay field or the hunting field. I personally like a shotgun that is not sport specific, but multi-dimensional, with a broad spectrum of function. I personally know many shooters who prefer using a 20 gauge, either

BY JOHN CAFFEY

for the challenge or for lighter carry, and this Purdey gun combines the craftsmanship and features of the larger bores to a smaller bore gun.

Looking at the Purdey 20 gauge sporting gun makes you quickly realize that it is built on the same action as the award winning 12 bore Purdey trigger plate gun. The furniture is exhibition grade Turkish walnut, with a handrubbed satin oil finish that exemplifies a Purdey. The customer also has the option to choose from a choice of available stock blanks. The trigger group is push button dropout inertia style, allowing for easy removal for cleaning, as well as extra gun security while traveling.

The stock sports an engraved oval insert that is available in silver or gold and can be fitted with a leather covered recoil pad. The side plates can be adorned with the traditional rose and scroll engraving or customized to the shooter’s preference. Receiver finish is available in silver or color case hardened.

Barrels are custom made by

Purdey craftsman with the buyer’s choice in lengths from 26 to 32 inches, chambered for 2 ¾ or 3 inch shells. All of Purdey’s ribs are manufactured in-house with the buyer’s choice of solid or ventilated. This sporting gun comes with Teague or fixed chokes and are proofed for steel shot. As with most fine Purdey Guns, they are cased in Purdey ABS or custom leather. Don’t expect Purdy to have one of these guns sitting on the shelf. Guns of this quality have a production lead time of 12 - 14 months from the confirmation of an order. The starting price of the Purdey 20 Bore is 65,000 British pounds, or $86,627 in American dollars.

Having experienced both the 12 bore sporting gun and the 20 bore, I can say that they had excellent handling and balance and the level of quality that only comes with a Purdey. It leaves me wondering when to expect a complete collection to include both 28 gauge and .410 bore. n