One of the most recognisable emblems, as synonymous with Purdey heritage as it is our current output, the Rose & Scroll has a history that dates back to the 1860s. At this time, the fine scroll (without roses) first appeared on Purdey guns – just as James the Younger took helm of the company; the son of the founder put significant work into defining Purdey as a leading brand, pioneering innovations, patents, designs and traditions that are still in place today.
While other London gunmakers also created their own visual hallmarks, instantly identifying a maker's work, the Purdey Rose & Scroll stood out. In the 1870s, the original motif was developed by senior in-house engraver James Lucas and although there were minor variations on the guns built in that decade, once the Beesley action was introduced at the beginning of the 1880s, the pattern quickly became standardised to the Rose & Scroll you’d recognise today.
It’s now one of the most enduring and recognisable motifs in British gunmaking: elegant, complex and distinctly Purdey. Like so many aspects of the brand, its finesse lies in the craftsmanship. Not only does the engraving help turn the gun from a cold metal object into a thing of beauty, it traditionally served a practical purpose, discreetly softening the face of the metal, reducing reflection which might otherwise alert game.
Today, the intricate and detailed engraving process is still carried out by hand over 120 hours. It’s the first thing any apprentice engraver learns – and though the pattern is standardised, each engraving is like a fingerprint of the particular craftsman who has worked on it. As each gun is bespoke, the Rose & Scroll is adapted to different models and requirements – like a floorplan, the overlay of the action is mapped out, and the factory team liaise with the gun sales team on the design. “There’s a fine art to making the Rose & Scroll pattern work well on each gun,” notes Production Manager James Bryan.
In the late 19th century, carved, chiselled and pictorial work became popular and we produced more large scroll and game scene inscriptions; the large scroll now tends to be used on a coin-finished action, while the small scroll usually appears with a colour-case hardened finish, for a more legacy Purdey look.
A hallmark of quality, refinement and unmistakable Purdey house style, the Rose & Scroll also features across our clothing and accessories. The Rose & Scroll is a primary visual signifier of Purdey. More than just an ornament, it's a reminder of how Purdey approaches beauty through detail, elevating surfaces and embossing story into craft.
Across knits, blankets, scarves and more, the pattern draws on those Victorian tastes for naturalism and ornamental detail that may have first influenced its design: an interesting visual balance of rounded natural beauty in the roses, synonymous with the English countryside, and spiralling geometry in the scroll that echoes those used in classical architecture and Corinthian columns. Each iteration speaks to a different form of craftsmanship, but the motif remains unchanged — timeless, tactile and true to its origins.