James Purdey revives the hammer gun with sidelock elegance
Two decades of craftsmanship have restored the refined mechanics of nineteenth century shotgun design. The Sidelock Hammer Ejector marries historical authenticity with the sensory pleasure of a masterwork.
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The weight of a well made shotgun speaks before the trigger ever does. James Purdey’s Sidelock Hammer Ejector carries the conversation of nineteenth century gunmaking forward, its walnut stock burnished to the colour of old cognac, the metal work darkened to a patina that suggests both age and meticulous care. When the master craftsmen in the workshop undertook the task of recapturing this particular elegance in 2004, they were not simply recreating nostalgia; they were restoring a grammar of mechanical refinement that modern manufacturing had largely abandoned.
The hammer gun represents a particular moment in sporting tradition, one where visible hammers and the manual mechanics of loading spoke to the shooter’s intimacy with the instrument. The sidelock configuration sits at the heart of this design, its components arranged with the kind of thoughtful geometry that rewards close examination. The hammers themselves, forged and finished, catch light differently depending on the angle of approach, their curve and weight balancing function with form in a way that feels almost sculptural.
What distinguishes this revival is the refusal to compromise. The ejector mechanism works as it did generations ago, yet the craftsmanship embedded in its manufacture carries all the precision that contemporary mastery allows. Shooting it feels like handling something complete, something that has been thought through entirely. The stock sits against the shoulder with familiarity; the barrels respond with the certainty of proper metalwork. Every surface you touch, from the checkered grip to the trigger guard, carries the impression of hands that understand their medium completely.
This is not a gun for those seeking mechanical novelty. It appeals to those who recognise that elegance in sporting arms lies in proportions observed correctly, materials respected fully, and mechanics that remain visible, understandable and beautiful. The Sidelock Hammer Ejector asks you to slow down, to remember what it means to handle something genuinely fine.
Imagery courtesy of James Purdey and Sons (@jamespurdeyandsons).