Here is my 1887 J. Purdey & Sons Sidelock SxS in 12 bore. It was completed on June 25, 1887, S/N 12571, number 2 of a pair destined for two London attorneys.
Between June 25, 1887 and September 24, 1917 it was sold to Captain George Cornwallis West (British Army). He had brought the shotgun to Audley House (Purdey shop) to have auto ejectors installed, have the double trigger replaced with a single trigger, and have it choked skeet/skeet.
The interesting part about Captain George Cornwallis West is the fact that he married Jennie Jerome Churchill, Winston Churchill’s mother. The funny part about this is that West was only 16 days older than Winston. Sometimes an archive letter & shop notes divulges interesting information.
Here’s some pics…..
Welcome friends. Pull up a chair and tell us about your Henry!
J. Purdey & Sons Sidelock SxS 12 Bore
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Rampant Colt
- Tenderfoot
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- Location: Oklahoma
J. Purdey & Sons Sidelock SxS 12 Bore
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Collecting Colts is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.
Re: J. Purdey & Sons Sidelock SxS 12 Bore
That’s one incredible shotgun. Love the provenance included. What beautiful figure in the wood and such fine engraving. Thanks for sharing the pics and I love the Colt collector line in your signature. 
2 x
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Rampant Colt
- Tenderfoot
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:15 am
- Location: Oklahoma
Re: J. Purdey & Sons Sidelock SxS 12 Bore
Thank you. The signature is a re-worked quote from Hunter S. Thompson as it pertained to the music industry.
2 x
Collecting Colts is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.
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Vaquero
- Ranch Boss
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Re: J. Purdey & Sons Sidelock SxS 12 Bore
Another beauty. Thanks again for sharing.
RP
RP
1 x
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care". 
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
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BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
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Re: J. Purdey & Sons Sidelock SxS 12 Bore
The old guns show the love of the gunmakers.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can't do anymore with regret, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can't do anymore with regret, I just look forward to the things I still can.