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J. PURDEY & SONS
A 12-BORE SINGLE TRIGGER SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR GUN, NO. 12658
28-inch sleeved barrels with 2 3/4-inch chambers, about 1/4 and 1/2 choke borings, mid extension, the frame, locks and top lever with fine bouquet and scroll engraving, the fences heavily carved with scrolling foliage, Boss patent single trigger and Boss patent ejector work, 15-inch well figured stock including leather-covered recoil pad, 6lb. 14oz., nitro proof
S2
The maker confirms that the gun was built as the No.1 of a pair for Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey in 1887. The gun was subsequently converted to ejector by Boss & Co. and also fitted with their single trigger.
It is well documented that Payne-Gallwey had a disagreement with Purdey over a game counter he invented, so it is likely that when it was time to re-barrel the gun he chose to approach Boss instead. Likewise Boss were well known for their single trigger and ejector conversions at this time.
Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey
Born in 1843, he was educated at Eton and was the cousin of Lord Walsingham, perhaps the best shot of his era. He kept company with the most accomplished shots of the day an had been a keen shot from and early age. His grandfather had published "Cautions to Young Sportsmen" in 1800, one of the first manuals on safe gun handling. He inherited the Thirkelby Estate at the age of 43, which was on of the very best sporting estates in Victorian Britain. An accomplished author, he is probably best remembered for his three volumes of "Letters to Young Shooters" published between 1891 and 1896. A prolific inventor, his name is still known for the many shooting accessories that he designed, including Payne-Gallwey pattern cartridge bags, cleaning rods and brushes, shooting sticks and game counters. Many of these items remain in production to this day. As a renowned wildfowler, he invented a double barrel punt gun that was built by Holland & Holland and was the first president of WAGBI, which is today known to shooters as BASC. His last work was "High Pheasants in Theory and Practice". He died in 1916. |
Sold for £6000
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| Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns |
| The Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland |
| 27 August 2018 |
| Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply |
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