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Storth
Milnthorpe
Cumbria
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LA7 7JA

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8th July 2009
James Purdey Shotgun Oil Comes Up A Treat

I first used James Purdey Gun Oil on my guns last year and have continued to use these products since then. The oil contains VP90 corrosion inhibitor. It performs in all temperatures, removes finger marks and is non-gumming. Purdey gun oil displaces moisture and maintains my shotgun while in storage.

I have always been fascinated with the Purdey and their history. I have letters from Purdey from the early 1950s when my father enquired as to there cost. I do wish he had bought them then! I must get round to scanning some of the letters and putting them in this blog. My father never threw anything away and I suppose I take after him.

Until I get round to fishing out those old catalogues and letters, here is a history of what is one of the finest English gun makers. They have a lovely site too! I have added them to my links section.

Purdey was established in London in 1814, the year before the battle of Waterloo. The founder, James Purdey, had previously worked as head stocker for Joseph Manton, the foremost gunmaker of his time. Purdey set up his gun making business in Princes Street and soon moved to Manton's former premises in Oxford Street in 1826. As early as 1838, Queen Victoria is recorded as having bought a pair of Purdey pistols.

James Purdey the Younger took over the running of the company from his father in 1858. Over his lifetime there was rapid change and development in the design of guns and rifles, essentially moving from muzzle loading flintlocks in the 1820's to breech loading hammerless ejectors by the 1880's. James the Younger was always at the forefront of advances in the design and building of his guns and rifles, and took out several patents for technical innovations over the years, many of which were adopted by other gunmakers.

When my father died, he left us a small collection of Purdey sidelocks which remain with us to this day.

 

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