Purdey Sporter
James Purdey & Sons Ltd · Shotgun · In Production · 2008
Also known as: Purdey Sporter Over-and-Under, Purdey Sporter O/U, Purdey 12-bore Sporter
Overview
The Purdey Sporter is a bespoke trigger-plate over-and-under break-action shotgun built by James Purdey & Sons of London. Introduced in 2008 and chambered in 12 gauge with 3-inch chambers, it pairs a Boss-style barrel-locking arrangement with a detachable trigger-plate action that lets the shooter swap between set-ups for different disciplines. Steel-proofed and designed for high-volume use, it is aimed at high-pheasant work and sporting-clays competition, fitted with interchangeable Teague chokes, a single selective trigger, ejectors, and Purdey's rose-and-scroll engraving with the firm's signature starburst on the action base. It was the first Purdey model to carry an anti-corrosion coating on its internal parts.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3460 g (122.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1180 mm (46.46") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Trigger |
| Trigger Pull | 16 N (3.6 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12ga, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action Double Barrel
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Over Under Barrels, Trigger Plate Action, Boss Style Locking, Detachable Trigger Unit, Interchangeable Chokes, Single Selective Trigger, Ejector, Steel Proofed, Rose And Scroll Engraving, Anti Corrosion Coating, Bespoke Fitted
Service history
Operators
- Sporting clay and game shooters
Production
Production years: 2008-present
Bespoke production; Purdey builds fewer than one hundred shotguns and rifles per year across its range
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Notes
Each gun is bespoke and hand-fitted, so weight, length and choke specification vary; figures given are typical for a 30-inch-barrelled 12-bore. Originally produced in Italy in collaboration with Perugini & Visini before manufacture moved to Purdey's London factory; a refined trigger-plate version was introduced in 2018.
Background
James Purdey founded his London firm in 1814 after training under Joseph Manton, becoming gunmaker to Queen Victoria and successive British monarchs. The Sporter marked Purdey's move into a dedicated, steel-proofed clay and high-bird over-and-under, first built abroad with Perugini & Visini and later brought wholly in-house to Hammersmith.