According to legend, a Damascus sword was so sharp it could cleave through metal. Drop a hair across the blade and it would fall cleanly in two. The origins of ‘Damascus’ steel date back to ancient Syria where the many-layered, beautifully patterned metal was revered for its unsurpassed strength. Although Damascus was favoured in the manufacturing of knives, by the early 20th century the techniques were adapted for the production of gun barrels. Almost mystical in its appearance and quality, the very earthly Damascus has been used in the forging of guns for centuries. When James Purdey began his apprenticeship in 1798, London gunmakers forged their Damascus barrels out of nails from old horseshoes — which were thought to have been toughened by the heavy wear they’d endured.

It wasn’t until 1949 and the purchase of James Woodward & Sons that the modern Purdey Over-and-Under was created. Patented in 1913, the Woodward design was famous for being lightweight and exceptionally robust, and the perfect basis for us to refine. Two Purdey workers, Ernest and Harry Lawrence, worked to modify the Woodward ejector mechanism. They redesigned the firing pins and implemented other minor improvements to better suit our style. These changes created both the look and design which is at the heart of every Purdey Over-and-Under built to this day.