James Purdey & Sons: Gun & Rifle Makers: Two Hundred Years of Excellence - Tapa dura

Meticulous historian and brilliant contributor Donald Dallas has brought his admirable skills to this second edition celebrating Purdey's 200 years of gunmaking from 1814 to the present day. After the first edition was published this incorrigible historian continued to research the greatest name in gunmaking, and so he was asked to produce this second edition to help celebrate the company's amazing two centuries in the business. --Shooting Gazette

This magnificent book, recently updated, details the 200-year history of English gunmakers James Purdey & Sons and contains several appendices including serial numbers to assist with dating guns, as well as production figures to show the rarity of each. All of Purdey's world-famous patents are described, plus the Purdey gunmakers are named to help gun owners to identify initials stamped on parts. Comprehensively illustrated throughout, this coffee table book is a must for all gun collectors. --Fieldsports

James Purdey & Sons: Two Hundred Years of Excellence has been meticulously re-researched, revised and enlarged, and published in a larger format to carry more photographs and illustrations, many of them previously unpublished. I hope you enjoy reading this book, which relates so much fascinating history of the life and times of the Purdey gunmaking family, as well as the Beaumonts, who were at the helm for almost 50 years following World War II. And finally it brings us up to the present day, with James Purdey & Sons standing on the threshold of its third century as one of the worlds greatest sporting gunmakers. --Beverly Drive Magazine

As with all Quiller books, build quality is excellent and the black ribbon bookmark is a nice detail. The colour photographs are bright and the line drawings are crisp. This book would make a wonderful Christmas present for any Purdey owner or anyone who loves fine English guns. I can think of nothing better than coming home after the Boxing Day shoot and immersing myself among images of guns that I covet but will never be able to afford. Still, we all crave the opium of our dreams and Donald's new book is full of them. - Shooting Times

One of the book's most interesting features is the details of individual Purdey craftsmen and their initials that are found stamped on the guns made. Social convention consigned these talented men to oblivion until the author combed the wage books and brought their names to life. There are numerous photos of them both in the factory and at leisure on works outings...This fantastic book makes a definitive contribution to that canon of gunmaking history. Highly recommended. --Classic Arms and Militaria

Next year (2014) sees the centenary of Britain's most famous gunmaker, James Purdey and Sons. To celebrate the occasion Donald Dallas has written a revised edition of his 200 work, Purdey the Definitive History. Donald is a history teacher, so it comes as no surprise that his work is meticulously researched, beautifully written and presented in an easily comprehensible form. But he goes beyond the mere chronicling of gunmakers' lives and works. Donald's passion for his subject and his love of fine guns is apparent in everything he writes. And this is very much more than a revised edition of his earlier work. Donald has continued to research Purdey and gather new material. Consequently, the new work is much expanded and effectively a new book with several new appendices including a copy of a rare 1885 Purdey catalogue. I can think of nothing better than coming home after the shoot and immersing myself among images of fine guns that I covet but will never afford. Still, we all crave the opium of our dreams and Donald's new book is full of them. --BASC Shooting and Conservation

As with all Quiller books, build quality is excellent and the black ribbon bookmark is a nice detail. The colour photographs are bright and the line drawings are crisp. This book would make a wonderful Christmas present for any Purdey owner or anyone who loves fine English guns. I can think of nothing better than coming home after the Boxing Day shoot and immersing myself among images of guns that I covet but will never be able to afford. Still, we all crave the opium of our dreams and Donald's new book is full of them. - Shooting Times

One of the book's most interesting features is the details of individual Purdey craftsmen and their initials that are found stamped on the guns made. Social convention consigned these talented men to oblivion until the author combed the wage books and brought their names to life. There are numerous photos of them both in the factory and at leisure on works outings...This fantastic book makes a definitive contribution to that canon of gunmaking history. Highly recommended. --Classic Arms and Militaria

* The bestselling Purdey Gun and Rifle Maker has been updated* The definitive history of James Purdey & Sons, a British gunmaker universally respected and renowned as makers of fine quality guns* Appendices cover the serial numbers to assist with dating guns, as well as production figures to show their rarity* Beautifully illustrated throughout with color plates and black and white plates and drawings* Foreword by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT