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JOHN DICKSON & SON
A SCARCE 8-BORE HAMMER GUN, NO. 3989, BUILT FOR THE RENOWNED COLLECTOR CHARLES GORDON
32-inch damascus barrels with 3 1/2-inch chambers, about true cylinder and full choke borings, doll's head extension, the rounded frame, rebounding back locks, hammers and rotary underlever with fine scroll engraving and retaining much original hardening colour, 14 3/4-inch well figured stock including recoil pad, 13lb. 12oz., black powder re-proof, in its fully fitted brassbound oak case with its full complement of maker's accessories, including turnscrews, powder and shot measures, reloading tool, cleaning rod, oil bottle, brushes, nipple key, etc, in its leather slip cover
The maker confirms that the gun was ordered by Charles Gordon on March 10th 1886.
Charles Gordon was born in 1853 and was the most important single customer of John Dickson & Son. An eccentric and ultimately mad collector of all things, he amassed a collection of 229 guns, rifles and pistols, all ordered new from Dickson between 1868 and 1906. The great majority were flintlock and percussion muzzle loading guns, being built "out of period" as the muzzle loader had become obsolete by 1865. He also bought 15 guns from Purdey between 1894 and 1904 as well as numerous guns from Joseph Harkom and Alex Henry. In total he bought at least 300 brand new best guns, rifles and pistols. Although his estate at Halmyre was large and he owned substantial property in Edinburgh, his collecting obsession eventually bankrupted him. Declared bankrupt in 1908, his collection, house and estate were sold and he died in 1918 in a humble cottage on his former estate. |
Sold for £36000
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| Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns |
| Sotheby's, London |
| 15 April 2015 |
| Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply |
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