James Purdey & Sons: Gunmaker To The Royals

by
posted on February 8, 2023
Purdeylogo

At the age of 14, James Purdey began an apprenticeship under his gun-making brother-in-law. For the next seven years he learned the craft, mastered the skills and by 1805 landed a job with a gunsmith renowned in England as the “King of Gunmakers,” Joseph Manton.

For the next seven years, he came to understand how firearms can be art, timeless in looks without sacrificing reliability and function. He rose through the firm’s ranks but was ultimately hired by another well-known company where he rose to become shop foreman.

The experience armed him with the knowledge and experience to produce exquisite guns with enviable performance. In 1814, James Purdey & Sons was born when he officially opened his own business in London. Double guns, rifles and pistols were soon coming out of his modest shop, and word of the quality quickly spread.

In 1858, his son, also named James, took over the reins and oversaw expansion during a challenging period in which firearm design changed rapidly. Athol Purdey took over in 1900 and remained true to the tradition that launched the business—timeless craftsmanship and longevity to match.

After 132 years of family ownership, Hugh Seely purchased the company in 1946. In 1994, it sold again to Compagnie Financière Richemont SA—a holding company based in Switzerland that, befittingly, specializes in luxury, high-end watches and jewelry, among other things. Quality was never compromised, a fact proudly on display by the fact that Richard Purdey—the sixth generation of the family at the helm—remained chairman of the board until he officially retired in 2014.

The company’s guns have been purchased by variety of celebrities and high-ranking government officials through the decades. The firm has held a variety of coveted Royal Warrants from British royalty and continue to attract the attention of enthusiasts across the globe. Despite the company's fame and standing, James Purdey & Sons remains unwavering in its dedication to offering apprenticeships, affording those who excel in the craft of gunmaking an opportunity to move into and up in a company renowned for its craftsmanship for the last 219 years.

Today, James Purdey & Sons, still based in London, offers sidelock side-by-side and over-under shotguns, some with Damascene steel. Double rifles, bolt actions and much more, each exquisitely finished, are also produced by the company.

Latest

Century Arms AP51 & AP53 guns left-side arrangement of three pistols shown with optics
Century Arms AP51 & AP53 guns left-side arrangement of three pistols shown with optics

New For 2025: Century Arms AP51 & AP53

Century Arms has expanded its AP5 line of roller-delayed blowback firearms with the new AP51 and AP53 handguns based on the Heckler & Koch G3 and HK33, respectively.

Preview: InfernoWare Shield

InfernoWare Shield is a spray-applied coating designed to protect firearm and other components from heat and contact damage.

Charles Hiltunen Elected As 76th NRA Director

Charles Hiltunen has been elected by the members to a one-year term ending in 2026.

Comparing Factory .38 Spl. Wadcutter Loads With A Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus

A common choice for classic competition, the factory wadcutter load can prove to be a top target load while also mitigating the effects of strong recoil due to its reduced velocity.

Preview: XS Sights Standard Dot Revolver Front Sight Smith & Wesson

XS Sights has a solution for owners of Smith & Wesson J-frames, such as the 640 and 340 PD, that have front sights attached with a single pin and fixed rear sights.

New Guns & Gear At The 2025 NRA Show

The 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held at the Georgia World Congress Center, April 24-27, was teeming with new guns and gear. Here's a taste of what you can see on the show floor.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.