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SYMES & WRIGHT
A FINE 12-BORE SINGLE TRIGGER SIDELOCK EJECTOR OVER AND UNDER GUN, NO. OU01, "THE BIRD OF PREY" GUN
28-inch barrels with 2 3/4-inch chambers, about 1/4 choke borings, matted solid rib and gold lined breeches, the frame, locks and top lever engraved in bold relief with scrolling foliage and mythical creatures, the locks and action base engraved with scenes of birds of prey in flight, signed by the engraver Rashid L. Hadi, retaining all of its bright cyanide hardened finish, rolled edge trigger guard, 14 1/2-inch highly figured stock with pistol grip, 7lb. 10oz., nitro proof, in its maker's brassbound oak and leather case with canvas outer cover
S2
The gun was completed in 1990 and appears little used. It is engraved to an exceptional standard by Rashid L. Hadi who has gone on to complete much exceptional work for Westley Richards amongst others. It was the first over and under gun completed by Symes & Wright and was used in all of the firm's initial promotional and marketing material.
It is sold with a comprehensive file containing numerous articles and brochures detailing the gun and its construction, as well as the background of the maker.
Symes & Wright was formed as a gunmaker in London in 1987. Both Peter Symes and Alex Wright had previously worked for James Purdey & Sons and as young gunmakers had decided to set up business on their own. With a flair for design and marketing and a fresh outlook, the company was quickly established as a serious competitor to the existing London makers. At a time when the London trade was only slowly pulling out of recession, and was perceived as old and stuffy, Symes and Wright were like a breath of fresh air. During the company's short history it produced some of the best guns to come out of London since the 1930s. To quote from one of the company's advertisements, "We are not trading on a reputation established over a century ago, nor do we waste energy marketing luxury goods associated with our name. Our business is quite simply building the finest sporting guns money can buy - without compromise, without exception". Unfortunately orders dwindled with the economic downturn of the early 1990s and the firm ceased trading in April 1995. Ironically this was just when the trade was emerging from recession. Production was modest with side-by-side production reaching serial number 36 and over and under gun numbers reaching serial number 14. |
Sold for £18000
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| Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns |
| Sotheby's, London |
| 11 December 2019 |
| Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply |
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