Purdey/Beesley Action

Beesley Action - An inherently assisted-opening action, designed by Frederick Beesley in 1880, the patent sold to Purdey who have used it for every side-by-side sidelock firearm they have built since that year. Frederick Beesley, an employee of Purdey at the time, used the proceeds of this sale to capitalize his new business as an independent gunmaker. Rather more complicated than the more ubiquitous Holland & Holland design, it requires higher tolerances of fit in order to work properly.

  The Beesley action is most readily recognized by the cams at the front of the action bar, which upon the closing of the barrels, force sliding rods rearwards through the bar of the action to cock the tumblers.

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