Rare Purdey shotguns stolen from farmhouse

UPDATE: Police have now recovered the pair or Purdey hammerguns

Police are appealing for information after a pair of rare Purdey hammerguns were stolen from a farmhouse on the border between Shropshire and Worcestershire. Investigating officers believe the thieves entered to the property through a sash window between 22:30pm on 2 September and 5am on 3 September.

The pair of 12-bore side- by-side Purdey hammerguns (pictured) are marked with serial numbers 12807 and 12808 and were made in the 19th century for Lord James of Hereford.

They were featured in Shooting Times’ Classic Gun column on 30 April this year, and their current value is estimated to be between £8,000 and £10,000 at auction. A 20-bore hammergun made by Edwinson Green was also stolen.

Anyone with information relating to the crime should contact DS Chatting, DS Shephard or DC Normandin of West Mercia Police at Shrewsbury Police Station, tel 0300 333 3000, using extension 5770 or 5888.