DAMASCUS STEEL GUN
PRESS RELEASE
News: July 2010
PURDEY UNVEILS ITS DAMASCUS GUN
In time to make its first public appearance at the 2010 CLA Game Fair, London gun and rifle maker James Purdey & Sons has unveiled its latest innovation in bespoke gunmaking, a 20-bore over and under, which, apart from the stock, is made almost entirely from a special Damascus Steel.
Modelled on the Woodward/Purdey over and under game gun, a classic design steadily developed over the past 100 years, Purdey believes its new Damascus gun is a world first in using this steel for all external and many internal components. These include barrels, action body, lock plates, trigger mechanism and guard. The project has taken over three years of intensive research design and manufacture, and the new gun will be priced at just over £100,000.
Unlike other Purdey guns the Damascus gun carries no engraving apart from its makers name in gold on the lock plates and barrels, highlighting the Damascus patterning, unique to each gun.
Purdey’s Damascus Gun project was made possible by the advent of an ultra high tech ‘Powder Metallurgy Method’ of steelmaking developed by steel maker Damasteel AB, of Söderfors, Sweden, who were able to supply a Damascus steel of a purity and strength suitable for use in the precision manufacturing processes involved in bespoke gunmaking.
Nigel Beaumont, Chairman of James Purdey and Sons, said: ‘Our whole gunmaking team have really enjoyed working on this project to design and build the world’s first all Damascus gun. The finished product shows off the beauty of its special steel to great effect and weighing in at 6lbs 12ozs it shoots exceptionally well. Given the Damascus Gun’s unique provenance we are confident it will become a highly prized collector’s item.’
31/08/2010
HON RICHARD BEAUMONT CVO
It is with great regret that James Purdey & Sons announce the death on 8th January 2010 of the Company's Life President, the Hon Richard Blackett Beaumont CVO, second son of the second Viscount Allendale. He died peacefully at home in London, after a prolonged period of declining health. Richard Beaumont owned James Purdey & Sons from 1949 until 1994, when he sold it to the present owners, Richemont AG, the Geneva based international luxury goods group.
After leaving Eton in 1943, at the age of 17 1/2 , he entered the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving through the remainder of World War II as a midshipman. He was demobilised as a Sub Lieutenant in 1947. In 1948 he was appointed PA to Sir Walter Monckton in India, at the time of negotiations over partition and the future of Hyderabad. Returning to London he worked as a shipping clerk in the City of London. Purdey's was given to him by his uncle, Sir Hugh Sherwood, in 1949. Richard Beaumont joined the company in 1950 and worked under Tom Purdey and Harry Lawrence learning about the guns and the business. He joined the Board in 1955 and became Chairman in 1971.
In 1971 Richard Beaumont married the Hon Lavinia Keppel, who as Hon Mrs Richard Beaumont not only developed Purdey clothing and accessories from a sideline to being a significant and successful part of the overall business, but most ably supported her husband throughout their time together at Purdey's and throughout his retirement.
During his ownership of the company Richard Beaumont did everything possible to maintain craft gunmaking skills, and the respect and affection in which he was held by his craftsmen and staff was mutual, as well as helping to ensure the company's survival during the exceptionally difficult trading conditions of the 1970's.
He became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers in 1950, joined the Court in 1963, and was Master twice, in 1965 and again in 1984.
Hon Richard Beaumont was invested as a Commander in the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1996.
Although they had no children of their own Mr and Mrs Beaumont greatly enjoyed seeing members of their extended family, and were firm favourites with the younger generations of their nieces and nephews.
The Beaumont family connection with Purdey's continues through Richard Beaumont's cousin Nigel, a Purdey trained gunmaker who joined the business in 1977, and who is now Chairman.
A private funeral service, for family only, will be held in Northumberland on 19th January.
15/01/2010
WINNERS OF 2009 PURDEY AWARDS FOR GAME AND CONSERVATION
PRESS RELEASE
News: 19th November 2009
- PURDEY AWARDS CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY-
2009 PURDEY GOLD GOES TO NORTHERN IRELAND SHOOT
James Purdey & Sons, the bespoke gun and rifle makers, last night celebrated the tenth anniversary of its annual Game and Conservation Awards with the top award going to Castlevennon Shoot, near Banbridge, County Down; the first ever Purdey Gold for Northern Ireland.
At the Awards ceremony in central London, shoot owner John Gibson was presented with the annual Purdey trophy and a cheque for £5,000 for his creation, from scratch, of an exemplary small shoot over 100 acres of former dairy farmland in an area not naturally hospitable to game shooting. The Awards were presented by Vicomte Bernard de La Giraudière, Chairman, Laurent-Perrier UK Ltd and founder in 1986 of the forerunner to the Purdey Awards, the Laurent-Perrier Awards for Wild Game and Conservation.
The Purdey Silver Award, and a cheque for £3,000, was presented to Frank Jones of Newton–le- Willows Wildfowlers Association, based near Warrington, Cheshire, for his exceptional leadership of this club, and for the members’ achievements in having established, through sound conservation practice, an exceptional wildfowling shoot over 3,000 acres of most improbable territory. The Club lease their shooting rights from a variety of owners of this land, which is situated between two of the most congested motorways in the UK - the M56 and M53- and a major oil refinery.
The Purdey Bronze Award, and a cheque for £1,500, was presented to Richard Vainer for his grouse restoration programme at Kettelshiel and Bedshiel Moors, near Duns in Berwickshire.
The Judges’ Special Award and £500 was presented to Anthony White for his woodland shoot at Leckhamstead near Buckingham.
The Purdey Awards for Game and Conservation are presented annually in the Long Room at James Purdey & Sons, in South Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1. The aim of the Awards is to encourage imaginative conservation projects which improve the habitats for both reared and wild game birds and in the process benefit other species of flora and fauna, enhancing the biodiversity of shoots and of the countryside.
Richard Purdey, who has organised the Awards since 1999, said:
“To celebrate our tenth anniversary we are delighted to be presenting our top award to John Gibson, the owner of Castlevennon Shoot in County Down; an exceptional entry and a richly deserved Purdey Gold Award. Not only is it a first class conservation project, the shoot being an oasis of keepered land in the midst of an intensive dairy farming region, but it is the owner’s clear vision and planning, and first class execution which caught the judges’ eye. Every aspect of the conservation work has been carried out impeccably. A great example of what can be achieved.”
Last year The Duke of Wellington presented the Purdey Awards, ten years after he first presented them in 1999 when he was Chairman of the Awards judging panel. Other distinguished past presenters of the Awards include HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, TV’s Riverside Cottage chef and game enthusiast, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, actor, author and playwright Julian Fellowes, former Daily Telegraph editor and historian Sir Max Hastings, and MP for Vauxhall and Chairman of the Countryside Alliance Kate Hoey.
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
Castlevennon Shoot, Banbridge, Northern Ireland
Gold Award
£5,000 + Jeroboam Laurent-Perrier Champagne
John Gibson, owner of Castlevennon Shoot was awarded the Purdey Gold Award for his vision in creating a successful shoot over what was formerly dairy farming grassland in an area not noted for its game shooting. The judges were particularly impressed by the first class execution of Mr Gibson’s visionary plans, particularly the layout of the shoot and the quality of its release pens. They also praised every aspect of Mr Gibson’s habitat improvements.
The judges also acknowledged the close relationship John Gibson has with neighbouring farms whose owners regularly help maintain the shoot and support charity events held at Castlevennon. In April a charity clay pigeon shoot raised £7,500 for the local hospital.
John Gibson’s entry involved the entire shoot area of 100 acres, on which 350 pheasants are released each year along with 30 grey partridges. On average there are eight shoots a year, producing bags of 25-30 birds. Two ponds have also been created which are now home to a variety of wildlife and plants. Mallard in particular enjoy the nesting sites on the islands where they successfully rear large broods.
Newton-le-Willows Wildfowlers Association, Warrington, Cheshire
Silver Award
£3,000 + Magnum Laurent-Perrier Champagne
Frank Jones who runs Newton-le-Willows Wildfowlers Association, was presented with the Purdey Silver Award on behalf of its members for maximising their efforts in managing over 3,000 acres of land, as well as their success in reintroducing grey partridge to the area thirty years after they had been driven out of the area by encroaching industrial development.
The judges were particularly impressed by Frank Jones’ enthusiasm and love of the land, in particular his insistence on members volunteering twenty full work days per season, without which the Club would not be able to maintain the land and manage the shoot. In return for their efforts members get fifteen days walk-and-stand game shooting, pigeon shooting in the summer as well as fowling on the Frodsham marshes.
The judges also noted the Association’s efforts to reduce fly tipping in the area through educating the public on the importance to the land of conservation. The Club’s landlords include local farmers, associations and businesses, as well as the Church Commission and Shell UK. The judges also acknowledged Frank Jones’ involvement with local schools and his training scheme for potential keepers.
Kettelshiel and Bedshiel Moors, Westruther, Duns, Berwickshire
Bronze Award
£1,500 + Magnum Laurent-Perrier Champagne
Richard Vainer, shooting tenant of Kettleshiel and Bedshiel Moors, on the southernmost end of the Lamermuir hills was awarded the Purdey Bronze Award in recognition of his keepering team for their enormous enthusiasm, determination and success in restoring viable grouse populations to both moors.
The judges applauded the long term aims for the shoot, which Mr Vainer hopes in good years may reach 1,000 brace a year, against their recent average of around 500 and up from under 100 five years ago. Judges also acknowledged the plan to release English strain grey partridge to the lower ground and begin a wild grey partridge restoration project. The judges also considered the team’s approach to managing the moors, of which vermin control is a high priority, to be exemplary, and noted the positive results.
Leckhamstead Wood, Nr Buckingham
Special Award
£500 + Magnum Laurent-Perrier Champagne
Anthony White, part owner of Leckhamstead Wood, was awarded the Purdey Special Award for reinstating this 115 acre woodland shoot, and building a strong community spirit among the team of helpers and guns. These include part - time keeper Gary Wilson and his father David Wilson. The judges were particularly impressed with their completion of several home built high seats and their long term aspirations for the shoot which include enlarging the already promising duck pond.
Mr White’s encouragement of neighbouring schools to visit was also applauded by the visiting judges, who also noted the increased numbers of barn owls to this woodland habitat along with such rarities as black and brown hairstreak butterflies. The Victorian ditch and ride system was a further point of interest. The judges were also impressed by the Leckhamstead team’s skill in maintaining a high percentage of their released pheasant in spite of a reluctance to cull the local fox population in order to keep the local hunt on side.
Ardtaraig, Loch Striven, By Dunoon, Argyllshire
Highly Commended
Magnum Laurent-Perrier Champagne
Keith Chalmers-Watson, owner of Ardtaraig, and all his team, were Highly Commended by the visiting judges for their work in producing a successful 500 acre shoot on such steep and rocky terrain.
The judges were impressed with how Ardtaraig managed to maintain its success through a non commercial syndicate club in which members fund the shoot budget in proportion to the number of gun days, as well as the employment the shoot gives to beaters and part time workers in such a sparsely populated area.
Hopwell Shoot, Nr Ockbrook, Derbyshire
Finalist Certificate
Magnum Laurent-Perrier Champagne
Dr Robert Hedley, owner of the Hopwell Shoot, was presented with a finalist certificate for his enthusiasm and efforts over thirty years in having personally developed and grown the shoot by undertaking continuous conservation work, including the planting of all the spinneys, resurrecting hawthorn hedges and creating two new ponds for wild duck.
29/12/2009
PURDEY 20-BORE SPORTER
PRESS RELEASE
News, 13thMay 2009
PURDEY UNVEILS
NEW 20-BORE SPORTER
Following the successful launch of the Purdey 12-bore Sporter in October 2008, James Purdey & Sons, the London gun and rifle maker, has today announced the addition of a 20-bore over and under gun to its Sporter range.
The 20-bore Sporter is available with interchangeable 28-bore barrels or as a 28-bore gun built on the 20-bore action. As with the 12-bore Sporter the key components of the 20-bore i.e. action body, barrel monobloc, trigger, locks and forend are manufactured in Purdey’s high tech CNC machine shop, in Hammersmith, with Perugini & Visini undertaking assembly in Brescia before the guns return to London for proofing and hand finishing.
Both Sporters come with a single trigger and 30” barrels as standard. Purdey also offer double triggers and 28” or 32” barrels as an option. The 20-bore Sporter has the added benefit of optional extra barrels and forend in 28-bore or as a 28-bore on the 20-bore action.
Stocks are of high grade oil finished walnut with pistol grip. The guns are available with standard or custom measurements. Engraving is Sporter pattern large scroll, and the price inclusive of VAT, is £31,625. Optional extra barrels and forend is £5,750, inclusive of VAT. Delivery times vary from ex stock to six months for the 12-bore and from six to eight months for the 20-bore.
Nigel Beaumont, Purdey Chairman, who has led the Sporter project says, ‘We have put a lot of effort into ensuring that every aspect of the Sporter meets our exacting standards, and shoots as well as it looks. Though it is early days we are delighted with the reaction of both the shooting press and potential customers.’
15/05/2009
PURDEY LUGGAGE COLLECTION
PURDEY LAUNCHES ITS FIRST COLLECTION
OF LUGGAGE
The first collection of luggage from world renowned gun and rifle makers, James Purdey and Sons, is available to buy in-store and online www.purdey.com. The new range includes a hunting bag, weekender bag and a boot bag.
The range is inspired by the traditional travel cases made to protect and transport Purdey’s shotguns and accessories since 1814, when the company was founded. Adapted to suit the needs of today’s traveller, the new range is durable yet functional.
The luggage is hand made from light khaki waterproof canvas with traditionally tanned leather. The distinctive deep scarlet lining is the same lining as used in a traditional Purdey gun case, ensuring the essence of Purdey is reflected across the range. The only branding is the traditional Purdey black case label discreetly applied inside each piece.
Prices are as follows:
Hunting Bag - £875
Weekender Bag - £695
Attaché - £495
Canvas and Leather Messenger Bag - £495
Canvas and Leather Boot Bag - £255
29/09/2008
ORGANIC WOOL ACCESSORIES
FROM SHEEP TO SHELF
THE FIRST RANGE OF FULLY TRACEABLE ORGANIC WOOL ACCESSORIES FROM JAMES PURDEY & SONS
A selection of fine accessories made from the UK’s first ecologically friendly and fully traceable Organic wool are now available to buy from James Purdey & Sons, the world renowned gun and rifle makers. Unique to the industry, the labelling reveals the farm from where the wool originates, such as the Duchy and National Trust Farms, and the date it was sheared. Entirely hand knitted in the UK the range is fully traceable from the sheep’s wool to the organic spinning and dyeing which is fully approved by The Soil Association. The Organic wool accessories are made without harsh chemicals or unnecessary mechanical processes which can strip away the natural properties of the wool, using instead a dyeing process that has been approved by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and The Soil Association.
The new range includes stockings, boot socks, garters, hand warmers and berets and will be available in three colours: Ecru, Charcoal and Green. The wool is sourced from Cornish Organic Wool in the West Country where not only are the sheep reared organically, but for the end product to meet the strict standards of the Soil Association, the fleece is washed using vegetable based soaps then spun and dyed using organic vegetable matter. All the farmers are based in Cornwall are paid properly for their fleece and are very supportive of the scheme.
Not only does this time honoured method of production result in remarkably beautiful, resilient and exceptionally warm garments but with the process taking place entirely within Cornwall, only a tiny ecological footprint is left behind. If everyone in the world operated as the average UK citizen does, we would need at least three planets to support global consumption. Purdey realises this and in working with Cornish Organic Wool has combined a concern for the environment with the style, function, detail and craftsmanship Purdey is renowned for.
25/02/2008
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