A Rare Cased Pair Of 12-Bore D.B. Percussion Pigeon Guns
264
A Rare Cased Pair Of 12-Bore D.B. Percussion Pigeon Guns
By J. Purdey, 314½ Oxford Street, London, Nos. 5170 And 5171 For 1856
With shortened rebrowned damascus twist sighted barrels each signed in full and numbered '1' and '2' respectively along the rib, breeches engraved with foliate scrollwork between and each with platinum line and engraved pierced platinum plug, foliate scroll engraved tangs numbered '1' and '2', signed flat locks, dolphin hammers and reblued iron mounts all engraved en suite, figured half-stocks with rechequered grips and fore-ends, silver escutcheons engraved with owner's crest, an earl's coronet above, fluted forward triggers, and no provision for ramrods: in original lined and fitted two-tier brass-mounted oak case with leather double shot-belt and two powder-flasks, one with embossed body, the interior of the lid with maker's trade label, the exterior (split) with flush-fitting brass carrying handle centred on a vacant circular escutcheon, the sides with recessed folding carrying handles, London proof marks
74.9 cm. barrels
Sold for £11,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Literature:
    L. Patrick Unsworth, The Early Purdeys, 1996, p. 247. Recorded as sold to the Earl of Lichfield on 8 September 1856 for £105.0.0

    Thomas George Anson, 2nd Earl of Lichfield (1825-1892) was a descendant of Baron George Anson and was styled Viscount Anson after his father was created Earl of Lichfield in 1831. He was educated at Eton and following his education served briefly with the Foreign Office before being returned to Parliament as member for Lichfield between 1847 and 1854, the year he succeeded to the earldom, taking his seat in the House of Lords as well as inheriting the family estate of Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire. He served as Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire between 1863 and 1871, and died aged sixty-six

Category: Arms and Armour

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