Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
A 12-BORE SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 19690,
for 1910, 28in. nitro reproved (in 2007) replacement chopperlump barrels (by the makers in 1973), rib engraved 'J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. ENGLAND.', 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. and imp. cyl. choke, removable striker discs, toplever engraved '3', automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, cocking-indicators, fine acanthus scroll engraving with floral bouquets, brushed bright and reblued finish overall, 15 1/4in. boldly-figured replacement stock with diamond grip, weight 6lb. 10oz., in a lightweight leather case.
Provenance: The makers have kindly informed us that this shotgun was completed August 1910 for Lord Lovat.
Other Notes: Brigadier-General Simon Joseph Fraser, 14th Lord Lovat and 3rd Baron Lovat, K.T, G.C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O. was born on 25th November 1871 into the noble and prominent Scottish family. He was to become the 23rd Chief of the Clan Fraser who could trace their lineage directly back in a straight line to Hugh Fraser, the 1st Lord Lovat who was raised to the peerage in 1458.
Lovat was commissioned in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and soon after, in 1890, was promoted to Lieutenant before transferring to the 1st Life Guards in 1894. However, three years later he resigned from the regular army and instead joined a volunteer battalion of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. Soon after though, with storm clouds gathering ahead of the Second Boer War, he raised the Lovat Scouts who skirmished and fought with great tenacity during their time in South Africa. Lovat served as their second-in-command and was awarded the D.S.O. During the Great War he commanded the Highland Mounted Brigade of the 2nd Mounted Division, being promoted to Brigadier-General in the September of 1914. The following year he had risen to Major-General and transferred to O.C. 4th Mounted Division.
Aside from his military career, Lovat was also Chairman of the Forestry Commission from 1919 until 1927 as well as serving in the cabinet of Stanley Baldwin's government as Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs from 1927 until 1929.
Lord Lovat died, aged 61, on 18th February 1933 and his eldest son and namesake Simon acceded to the title as the 15th Lord Lovat (although he was known as the 17th)
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Estimate £5,000-7,000
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act