Product Details
FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF SIR EDWARD FIELDEN K.C.V.O., C.B., D.F.C., A.F.C.
T. BLAND & SONS
A 10-BORE (3 1/2IN.) BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 13649,
for 1936, 32in. nitro reproved barrels (in 2022, standard proof only) with green painted finish, the rib engraved 'THOMAS BLAND & SONS. 4 & 5 KING WILLIAM ST. WEST STRAND. LONDON. W.', 3 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 3/4 choke in both, large treble-grip action with Westley Richards style toplever, manual side safety, green painted finish (appears some original colour-hardening beneath), 14in. figured stock including 7/8in. leather covered recoil pad, sling swivels, the comb with leather cheekpiece insert, bolstered fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release, missing horn finial, weight 11lb. 6oz., in its lightweight leather case, the lid outer initialled 'E.H.F.' and '10', right end with a James Purdey & Sons storage label hand written for 'WING COMMANDER E.H. FIELDEN'
Provenance: Sir Edward Fielden K.C.V.O., C.B., D.F.C., A.F.C.
Wing Commander 'Mouse' Fielden (4th December 1903 - 6th November 1976) began his career in the RAF as a Pilot Officer in January 1924 and would rise to the rank of Air Vice Marshal by 1962.
In 1929 as a Flight Lt., he was chosen by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) to be his private pilot, responsible for both flying and maintaining the Prince's Gypsy Moth. The Prince of Wales held the RAF rank of Air Chief Marshall, but on his accession to the throne in 1936, he became a Marshal of the Royal Air Force and was provided with an Airspeed Envoy as a communications aircraft and being on official inventory, a new unit 'The King's Flight' was created with 'Mouse' Fielden as Captain. With King Edward's abdication and the succession of King George V in 1936, Fielden was confirmed in his appointment and continued as Captain of the King's Flight.
During World War II the King's Flight continued to operate, initially as a Photographic Development Unit and then as a Photographic Reconnaissance Unit before being absorbed into No. 161 Sqn., with Fielden as Officer Commanding. 161 Squadron was tasked with the delivering and picking up agents from within enemy occupied territory, often low level night flights with extremely hazardous and sometimes even uncharted landing sites. It was during these operations he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross:
"Group Captain Edward Hedley FIELDEN, M.V.O., A.F.C.
This officer has flown on various operational missions, some of a most hazardous nature. He has displayed a high standard of operational efficiency, setting an example which has contributed materially to the high morale of the air crews under his command. His great organising ability has proved a valuable asset."
(London Gazette - 6 April 1943)
After the War, the King's Flight was reformed with Fielden once again in charge and promoted to Air Commodore. After the King's death in 1952, the Flight was renamed and Air Commodore Fielden remained as Captain of 'The Queen's Flight' until his retirement in January 1962, at which point he was promoted to Air Vice Marshal and also appointed as Senior Air Equerry to The Queen.
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Estimate £1,000-1,500
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act