A fine and highly unusual 20-bore (3in) single-trigger assisted-opening round-bodied sidelock ejector gun by Boss & Co., no. 7788
With two further sets of barrels
Toplever, ribs and forend-tip numbered '3' in gold, Boss patent single-trigger with rolled-edge trigger-guard, the rounded action-bar with best bouquet and foliate-scroll engraving, some hardening-colour, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, manual safety, highly-figured stock (faint lines to rear of locks) with leather-covered ventilated recoil-pad (perished), the original chopper-lump barrels (slightly loose on action) with game-rib engraved Boss & Co., 41 Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, with ivorine bead-sight and intermediate bead-sight; the later chopper-lump barrels (by the makers, slightly loose on action) with game-rib engraved Boss & Co., 13/14 Cork Street, London, W.; the additional Crochet Encastre Triple Epreuve barrels (by Callens et Mode) with game-rib
15in. pull (13¾in. stock)
Original Boss barrels:- Weight 5lb. 9oz., 17in. barrels, both approx. ½ choke, 3in. chambers, London nitro proof
Additional Boss barrels:- Weight 5lb. 9oz., 27in. barrels, approx. 3/8 & ½ choke, 2¾in. chambers, London nitro proof
Additional Callens et Mode barrels:- Weight 5lb. 7½oz., 25¾in. barrels, both approx. I.C., 2¾in. chambers, French nitro proof
The original barrels in their leather case with makers accessories; the later Boss barrels in their leather case with some accessories; and the Callens et Mode barrels in a 'Pony' leather tube
Toplever, ribs and forend-tip numbered '3' in gold, Boss patent single-trigger with rolled-edge trigger-guard, the rounded action-bar with best bouquet and foliate-scroll engraving, some hardening-colour, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, manual safety, highly-figured stock (faint lines to rear of locks) with leather-covered ventilated recoil-pad (perished), the original chopper-lump barrels (slightly loose on action) with game-rib engraved Boss & Co., 41 Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, with ivorine bead-sight and intermediate bead-sight; the later chopper-lump barrels (by the makers, slightly loose on action) with game-rib engraved Boss & Co., 13/14 Cork Street, London, W.; the additional Crochet Encastre Triple Epreuve barrels (by Callens et Mode) with game-rib
15in. pull (13¾in. stock)
Original Boss barrels:- Weight 5lb. 9oz., 17in. barrels, both approx. ½ choke, 3in. chambers, London nitro proof
Additional Boss barrels:- Weight 5lb. 9oz., 27in. barrels, approx. 3/8 & ½ choke, 2¾in. chambers, London nitro proof
Additional Callens et Mode barrels:- Weight 5lb. 7½oz., 25¾in. barrels, both approx. I.C., 2¾in. chambers, French nitro proof
The original barrels in their leather case with makers accessories; the later Boss barrels in their leather case with some accessories; and the Callens et Mode barrels in a 'Pony' leather tube
Sold for
£26,400
inc. premium
Footnotes
- The makers have kindly confirmed that the gun was completed in 1930 for the Hon. A.E. Guinness, and that the barrel length is original. The gun forms part of a composed trio together with gun no's. 7748 and 8056, all with 17in. barrels. The additional barrels were fitted by the makers in 1976 and, according to the vendor, the Callens et Mode barrels were fitted in 1977
The Hon. A. Ernest Guinness (1883-1949)was the second son of the 1st Earl of Iveagh, of the famous brewing family. He was educated at Cambridge and served in the First World War as a Lieutenant in the London Rifle Brigade. He was later a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of County Dublin. He married Marie Russell in 1903, and had three daughters (Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh) who were famously nicknamed 'the Golden Guinness Girls', and were prominent socialites in the 1920's.
According to the makers, Ernest Guinness purchased five 20-bores between 1928 and 1932; a pair (gun no. 7537/8) and the composed trio of which this is part. He was also given a trio of 12-bore guns (gun no. 5141/2/3) in 1904, the No. 2 gun of which was sold in these Rooms, Modern Sporting Guns, Rifles and Vintage Firearms, 30 July 2008, lot 229.
Please note that this is a section 1 firearm and can only be purchased by / released to a Registered Firearms Dealer or a Firearms Certificate holder with an appropriate variation.
Importation to the U.S. would appear to be precluded due to the barrels being less than 18in.
Category: Arms and Armour / Sporting Guns
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