Product Details
PRESENTED TO HRH ALBERT EDWARD, THE PRINCE OF WALES BY QUEEN VICTORIA
STEPHEN GRANT
A FINE PAIR OF 16-BORE E.C. HODGES PATENT ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMERGUNS, serial no. 3040 / 1,
30in. nitro reproved damascus barrels (in 2009), ribs engraved 'S. GRANT. 67A ST. JAMES'S STREET, LONDON.', and '1' and '2', 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl choke in all, Jones patent rotary-underlevers, carved percussion fences, rebounding back-action locks with high-spurred dolphin hammers, the actions marked 'E.C. Hodges patent', use numbers 535 and 536, best fine acanthus scroll engraving, retaining traces of original colour-hardening, 14 3/8in. well-figured stocks with engraved steel heel and toe-plates (gun No.2 with crack at hand), gun no.1 with gold escutcheon marked 'Albert Edward NOVr. 9th 1870' surrounding the crest of the Prince of Wales, gun no.2 with similar escutcheon, dated 'DECr 25th 1870', weight 6lb. 6oz., in their individual brass-cornered oak and leather cases with fine gold-tooled red leather makers labels, the lids marked with the crest of the Prince of Wales and named 'ALBERT EDWARD', one dated '9TH NOVr. 1870' the second dated '25TH DECr. 1870'
Provenance: Albert Edward was crowned Edward VII in 1901 after the longest period as heir apparent of any British monarch. During Queen Victoria's long reign he was largely kept from political life and instead his sporting qualities, easy manners and quick wit made him a much sought after guest in the grand shooting parties of the time.
This pair of Grant hammerguns were a gift from his mother, Queen Victoria, and whilst built as a true pair they were given to him on different dates; the first on the occasion of his Birthday and the second as a Christmas present and are presented in their original individual cases. Perhaps it was thought he didn't deserve them in one go!
One of the Prince's closest shooting companions was William Douglas-Hamilton, the 12th Duke of Hamilton and Brandon and Scotland's most senior peer. The two spent much time together on the Duke's estate on Arran and it was here, supposedley, that they exchanged guns for a few drives. It is said that they got on so well with each other's guns that the exchange became permanent and the pair have remained with the Hamilton family until fairly recently.
Estimate £50,000-70,000
THE ABOVE LOT WILL REQUIRE THE BUYER TO PRODUCE A RELEVANT BRITISH SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE OR REGISTERED FIREARMS DEALER LICENCE BEFORE IT MAY BE RELEASED.