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J. PURDEY & SONS
A 20-BORE BAR-IN-WOOD LEVER COCKING HAMMER GUN, NO. 10395, BUILT FOR LORD RIPON
33-inch damascus barrels with 2 1/2-inch chambers, about 3/4 choke borings, the frame, rebounding bar locks, hammers and underlever with fine bouquet and scroll engraving, 14 3/4-inch highly figured stock, 6lb. 3oz., black powder re-proof, bores marked
S2
The maker confirms that the gun was built in 1880 for Earl de Grey, 2nd Marquess of Ripon and that the original barrel was 33-inches. The gun appears not to have been altered from its original specification and the records make mention of the gun having a "Daw" action. The specification of the gun is most unusual for this time and indeed it seems that the great shots of the past were as keen in experimenting with barrels of extreme length as are many shots today.
Lord Ripon, Earl de Grey, was born in 1853 and became the second Marquess of Ripon in 1909. He is arguably the greatest game shot of all all time with a recorded lifetime's total of 556,813 head of game. Much of his shooting was conducted with a set of three guns and with great speed of loading is known to have had seven dead birds in the air at one time. He persisted in the use of hammer guns. The unprecedented size of his "bag" has led to his frequent description of the greatest shot of all and his feats are unlikely to ever be repeated.
At Studley Royal, his Yorkshire estate, he entertained the royalty and nobility of England and Europe and in turn shot with greatest sporting estates, such as Holkham, Sandringham and Elveden in the heyday of the shooting party. It was his combination of natural ability and total commitment to his chosen sport which rasied him above the level of other good shots. In the shooting field throughout his life he was repeatedly top score and despite increasing age he maintained the highest standard to the end. He died on September 22nd 1923 in the field, having gilled 51 grouse on his last drive, while the last birds of the day were being picked up, he fell down dead.
Lord Ripon was married to society beauty Gladys Lonsdale and was a close friend of George V. Lord Ripon achieved his incredible "bag" not only because of his ability but because he was invited to shoot regularly on the very best stocked estates at a time when game abounded. The Duke of Portland said Lord Ripon had "an extraordinary eye" and another shooting pal, Lord Walsingham, wrote of how he and Ripon shooting pheasants at Studley Royal, "took alternate birds by mutual agreement". On one occasion they killed 98 birds between them, having fired 50 shots each. Highly drilled loaders ensured that not a moment's valuable shooting time was lost. However, his speed sometimes caused problems. A gamebook entry dated December 18, 1885 reveals, "Blew top of No.1 gun with No.3". Sometimes however he fell short of his own high standards. November 19, 1907, "404. Shot alright but could not keep up rapidity of firing". |
Sold for £15000
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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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