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J. PURDEY & SON
A 16-BORE TOP LEVER BAR-IN-WOOD HAMMER GUN, NO. 11204, BUILT FOR LORD WALSINGHAM
29 1/2-inch shortened Whitworth steel barrels with 2 1/2-inch chambers, about true cylinder borings, mid extension the frame, rebounding bar locks, hammers and left-handed top lever with fine bouquet and scroll engraving and retaining some original hardening colour, 14-inch well figured stock, 6lb. 2oz., proof exemption certificate
S2
The maker confirms that the gun was built in 1882 for Lord Walsingham and that it originally had 33-inch barrels.
Tom de Grey, 6th Lord Walsingham, was born in 1843 and served as Conservative MP for West Norfolk from 1865 to 1870. In that year he succeeded to the estate and title of his father and entered the House of Lords, serving as Lord in Waiting to the second government of Benjamin Disraeli. He is however best known for his prowess at shooting and he was regarded by Lord Ripon as "the best game shot I have ever seen". It was written after his death that "He was the best shot in England, with perhaps one exception, Lord de Grey (Lord Ripon)... those two were a long way in front of all other good shots...it was that quickness combined with accuracy that enabled him in the best company to kill more game than any other member of the party. The late Lord Ripon was quite as accurate if not more so, but he could not get his gun off so quickly". He died in 1919. |
Sold for £6500
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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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