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AYA
A MATCHED PAIR OF 20-BORE NO.1 MODEL SIDELOCK EJECTOR GUNS, NOS. 512259 AND 548111
27-inch chopper-lump barrels with 2 3/4-inch chambers, about 1/4 and 3/4 and 1/2 and full choke borings respectively, the frames, hand detachable locks and gold numbered top levers with fine bouquet and scroll engraving and retaining their original bright finish, the trigger plates with much original colour hardening, gold lined cocking indicators, rolled edge trigger guards and articulated front triggers, 14 3/4-inch well figured stocks with gold ovals engraved "JEJ", 6lb. 1oz. and 5lb. 15oz. respectively, brassbound oak and leather case with James Purdey & Sons label, the lid inscribed "Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson"
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Air Vice Marshall J. E. "Johnnie" Johnson, CB, CBE, DSO and two bars, DFC and bar
The highest scoring RAF fighter pilot of the Second World War, Johnnie Johnson, was a remarkable man. He shot down thirty-eight enemy aircraft in the skies over Europe between June 1941 and September 1944 and often likened air combat to wildfowling. He flew over 1000 missions over the course of the War and was never shot down. His aircraft was only hit once by a single stray cannon shell and all of his victories (bar a quarter share of a ME110) were against single engine fighters, a quite remarkable feat. With his tremendous eye and judgement he brought to his performance with the cannon of his Spitfire the same principles of deflection shooting that had proved so effective against game birds with a shotgun in his youth.
James E. Johnson was born in 1915 and educated at Loughborough School and Nottingham University. Before the War he worked as a Civil Engineer and with war clouds gathering he joined RAF Volunteer Reserve for weekend training. He was called up in August 1939 but missed the Battle of Britain due to an injury. He rejoined his squadron too late for the battle but gained valuable experience when in 1941 he joined Douglas Bader's Tangmere Wing. He frequently flew as No.2 to the Wing leader and June 26 that year he claimed his first kill. By September, and with five more kills, he was awarded the DFC and made Flight Commander. During the following year he was given command of 610 Squadron and provided air support for the Dieppe raid. By 1943 his tally had risen to twenty five and he was appointed Wing Commander of the Kenley Canadian Wing. He flew in support of D-Day and after the landings themselves he led his Wing to Normandy where it became the first Allied fighter unit to operate in France since 1940. His final victory came on the 27th September 1944 and ended the War in command of 125 Wing. He returned to combat in the Korean war, flying fighter bomber missions whilst attached to the U.S.A.F and added the U.S. Airforce medal and the Legion of Merit to his decorations.
He retired from the RAF in 1966 and died in 2001. |
Sold for £9000
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| Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns |
| Sotheby's, London |
| 13 December 2017 |
| Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply |
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