The Shooter’s Companion

Shotguns·makers·models·history

An independent reference on sporting shotguns, for shooters, collectors, buyers and sellers.

James Purdey & Sons

Drawing of townhouses, iron railings and gas lamps on a street in Victorian Mayfair.
Drawing: A street in Victorian Mayfair.

Origins

James Purdey the Elder opened his first shop in Princes Street, London, in 1814.2 The business became James Purdey & Sons in 1877.3 On 1 January 1883 Purdey moved into Audley House, at 57–58 South Audley Street in Mayfair.4, 5

Vendôme acquired James Purdey & Sons in 1994.6, 7 In 1997 the business passed to the Richemont Group.8 Purdey still works largely within London, between its West London factory and Audley House.9

Factories and partners

Purdey's first dedicated workshop stood at 37 North Row under a lease dated 1 December 1881.10 The firm moved into its Hammersmith workshop in October 1979.11 The rebuilt factory at Felgate Mews opened in 2015, the year after Purdey's bicentenary.12, 13 Audley House remains the Mayfair counterpart to the West London factory.9

Purdey launched the original Sporter with Perugini & Visini in 2008.14 Purdey said the gun was assembled and stocked in Italy and finished in London.15 In 2022 it decided to bring the design entirely in-house.16 In 2018 the was made entirely in Purdey's London workshop.17, 18

Timeline

1814

James Purdey the Elder opens his Princes Street shop.2

1877

The business becomes James Purdey & Sons.3

1880

Richemont dates the classic Purdey shotgun's launch to this year.19

1 December 1881

Purdey leases its first dedicated workshop at 37 North Row.10

1 January 1883

Audley House becomes Purdey's home.4

1913

James Woodward & Sons introduces the design used for Purdey's Sidelock Over-and-Under.20

1925

Purdey builds its first breech-loading over-and-under .21

1948

Purdey's over-and-under history dates the Woodward purchase to this year.22

1949

Purdey's bespoke-process account dates the Woodward purchase to this year.23

October 1979

Purdey moves into its Hammersmith workshop.11

1994

Vendôme acquires Purdey.6, 7

1997

Purdey transfers to the Richemont Group.8

2004

Purdey reintroduces the Hammer Ejector.24

2008

Purdey launches the original Sporter with Perugini & Visini.14

2015

Purdey's rebuilt Felgate Mews factory opens.12, 13

By 22 May 2018

A contemporary report describes the new Purdey .17, 18

2019

Purdey launches the Sporting Clays version.25, 26

2022

Purdey decides to bring the Sporter design entirely in-house.16

Families and models

The Sidelock Side-by-Side uses Frederick Beesley's self-opening system.27, 28 Beesley's system uses residual mainspring energy to open the gun.28 James Woodward & Sons introduced the design of Purdey's in 1913.29, 20 Purdey's account of its bespoke process dates the purchase of Woodward to 1949 and says Purdey has used the action since then.23 Its history of the over-and-under gives 1948.22

Purdey reintroduced its in 2004.24 The original Sporter followed in 2008 through the Perugini & Visini collaboration.14 The had appeared by May 2018.17, 18 Purdey offers it in Game and versions, and launched the Sporting Clays in 2019.25, 26

Reading the names and numbers

Purdey's model names distinguish the and over-and-under barrel arrangements.27, 29 Game and Sporting Clays distinguish the versions of the .25 Purdey's standard fine-scroll is sometimes called rose-and-scroll.30

Marks

Crowned GP and crowned V are marks of the London , used on small arms it proves.31, 32 Shotgun appear on the and again on the action.33 The British records the year of proof or reproof.34 Purdey organises its gun records by serial number and supplies a two-page History Certificate by email.35, 36

Drawing of the action of an over-and-under shotgun.
Drawing: Detail of an over-and-under action.

Sources

  1. Purdey: Our Maisons, Founding place and year. Richemont. maker website
  2. Richemont Annual Report and Accounts 2014: Purdey, Founder and first shop. Richemont, 2014. maker website
  3. Purdey shop: Our History, Business name. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  4. Audley House, Mayfair, Opening. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  5. Audley House, Mayfair, Address. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  6. Richemont: Our History, Acquisition date and name. Richemont. maker website
  7. Richemont: Our History, Buyer. Richemont. maker website
  8. Purdey Timeline, Richemont transfer. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  9. Purdey: Our Maisons, Current London operation. Richemont. maker website
  10. About Purdey, Dedicated workshop. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  11. About Purdey, London workshop continuity. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  12. Purdey Timeline, Factory context year. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  13. Purdey Timeline, Factory reopening. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  14. The Purdey Sporter, Original model. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  15. Purdey Sporter, Maker statement: assembly and finish. Shooting UK. magazine
  16. The Purdey Sporter, New manufacture. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  17. The New Purdey Trigger Plate, Contemporary date. Sporting Classics Daily, 2018-05-22. magazine
  18. The New Purdey Trigger Plate, Model and manufacture. Sporting Classics Daily, 2018-05-22. magazine
  19. Richemont Annual Report and Accounts 2012: Purdey, Classic shotgun launch. Richemont, 2012. maker website
  20. Sidelock Over-and-Under, Woodward introduction. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  21. Sidelock Over-and-Under, First breech-loading over-and-under context. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  22. Sidelock Over-and-Under, Woodward purchase date in model history. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  23. The Bespoke Process, Woodward action and purchase. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  24. The Sidelock Hammer Ejector, Revival. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  25. The Purdey Trigger Plate, Versions. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  26. The Purdey Trigger Plate, Clays introduction. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  27. The Sidelock Side-by-Side, Model name. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  28. The Sidelock Side-by-Side, Action. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  29. Sidelock Over-and-Under, Model name. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  30. The Bespoke Process, Engraving names. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  31. The unparalleled heritage of the London Proof House, Marks. London Proof House. proof house
  32. The unparalleled heritage of the London Proof House, Scope. London Proof House. proof house
  33. London Proof House: services and shotgun marks, Shotgun stamp positions. London Proof House. proof house
  34. Rules, regulations and scales for proof of small arms 2006, Proof year. Gunmakers’ Company and Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House, 2006. proof house
  35. Digital History Certificate, Serial record. James Purdey & Sons. maker website
  36. Digital History Certificate, Certificate. James Purdey & Sons. maker website

Revised 2026-10-14