Rating and value of Purdey rifles

If you own a Purdey rifle and would like to know its value, or if you don't know, the period and model of your gun, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can offer you their expert appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your weapon, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market.

Then, if you want to sell your property, we'll point you in the right direction to get the best possible price.   

Rating and value of Purdey rifles

Purdey rifles are highly sought-after by collectors. However, price differences can be considerable, depending on the model and state of preservation.

Prices for these objects can now rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Buyers from all over the world are interested in sales of certain rare pieces.

The price at which they are selling on the art market ranges from €450 to €27,000, at the moment, a considerable difference but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these weapons.

In 2018, a Purdey 12-gauge ejector over-and-under shotgun sold for €27,000, while its estimate was between €4,000 and €6,000. 

Value order ranging from simple to prestigious

History of Purdey rifles    

James Purdey & Sons was founded in London in 1814 by James Purdey, a former employee of Joseph Manton, a major figure in English gunsmithing. Purdey quickly made a name for itself for the exceptional quality of its rifles.

It combines elegance, precision and robustness, prized by the British and European aristocracy. The company quickly adopted the advances of the 19th century, such as rifled barrels, percussion rifles and break-action systems with automatic ejection.

From 1838 onwards, Purdey supplied arms to the British royal family, thus consolidating its international prestige.

Victoria, Edward VII and Windsor are among its loyal customers. Each Purdey rifle is entirely hand-crafted, custom-made, with hand-engraved finishes, custom-made, with hand-engraved finishes, custom-made, with hand-engraved finishes, exceptional walnut stocks, and extremely precise mechanical adjustment.

Purdey rifles are the ultimate hunting guns. Designed primarily for hunting game birds (notably pheasant and partridge), they are renowned for their perfect balance and shooting comfort.

Still active today, Purdey perpetuates a two-hundred-year-old tradition, a symbol of British luxury, with very limited production and order lead times of up to several years.

Today, they are among the most highly-rated rifles on the market, along with the Granger riflesrifles First Empire rifles and infantry rifles.

The evolution of Purdey rifle mechanisms

The first Purdey rifles were flintlock, then percussion, and were built to the standards of their time, with remarkable care and attention to detail.

The company also adopted the break-action mechanism for its double rifles as early as the mid-19th century, enabling rapid reloading and safe handling.

The opening system was also perfected: in 1863, James Purdey patented a top-lever opening system, which quickly became a standard in British luxury gunsmithing.

In 1880, the company incorporated an automatic case ejection mechanism, a technical refinement that simplified reloading and improved the rate of fire. The hammerless system was also developed for greater safety and aesthetics.

The double-trigger mechanism has been refined, with Purdey maintaining its traditional use (one trigger per barrel) but optimizing the mechanism's flexibility and responsiveness, for unrivalled shooting comfort.

Purdey rifle mechanisms have also evolved thanks to a triple-lock locking system: the "Purdey third bite" system, an additional central lock on the underside of the barrel to reinforce the weapon's solidity and longevity, especially in powerful calibers.

Despite its fidelity to classic mechanisms, Purdey discreetly innovates in tradition, (improved steels, adjustments and materials), while maintaining 100% handcrafted and approved mechanical operation.

Edward VII is Purdey rifles

King Edward VII, known as a great hunting enthusiast, owned several Purdey rifles. Among his collection was a custom-made model with personalized engraving and a stock perfectly suited to his stout frame.

At a hunt held at Sandringham in the early 20th century, Edward VII impressed the guests present by shooting some twenty pheasants in a matter of minutes using his double-barreled shotgun.

The rapid fire that took place was due not only to his skill, but also to the outstanding quality of the rifle's rocker mechanism and automatic ejection system.

Several witnesses, including foreign aristocrats and an Austrian ambassador, believed at the time that it was a semi-automatic rifle, so fluid was the rate of fire. This earned Purdey flattering publicity in aristocratic and diplomatic circles.

Shortly after this event, several leading European nobles ordered their own Purdey rifles, making the brand a symbol of distinction and efficiency throughout Europe.

The Sandringham episode remains a famous illustration of the trust placed by sovereigns in Purdey, where luxury, technique and efficiency meet in a very British spirit.

Knowing the value of a Purdey rifle

If you happen to own a Purdey rifle from any period and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it.

If you want to sell your property, our specialists will also help you find alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.