Product Details
* J. PURDEY & SONS
A SCARCE 16-BORE 'TRADE MARK E QUALITY' SINGLE-BARRELLED HAMMERLESS NON-EJECTOR, serial no. 16034,
for 1897, 29in. nitro barrel with short sight rib, the barrel engraved 'J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON.', 2 1/2in. chamber, bored approx. 1/4 choke, carved teardrop fences, removable striker disc, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, border and acanthus scroll engraving, retaining traces of original colour-hardening, 13 3/4in. figured stock including buttplate, fore-end with horn finial, weight 5lb. 8oz., in its leather case, the lid outer stamped 'HON. N. PRIMROSE' and with blank circular brass escutcheon
Provenance: Research would indicate it likely that the Hon. N. Primrose would be Capt. The Hon. Neil James Archibald Primrose MC PC (14th December 1882 - 15th November 1917), son of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebury (British Prime Minister 1894-95) and Hannah de Rothschild.
Educated at Eton and Oxford, he was commissioned in the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars in 1909 and entered into politics as a Liberal MP for Wisbech in 1910.
In the House of Commons Neil was a companion of Thomas Agar-Robartes, the Liberal MP for St. Austell. They pair had become friends at Oxford, and Agar-Robartes returned from active service on the Western Front to be best man at Primrose's wedding to Lady Victoria Stanley, daughter of the Earl of Derby, in April 1915. Agar-Robartes was killed during the Battle of Loos in September 1915.
Keen to serve overseas, Neil used his connections to serve in France in September 1914. He spent part of the war alternating between military service and government office. In February 1915 he returned to London to take up the post of under-secretary at the Foreign Office.
When the Liberals formed a coalition in May 1915, he resumed his military duties, joining the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars (who had recently suffered heavy losses at Gallipoli) in Egypt. Promoted Captain in 1915, he was awarded the Military Cross in the King's Birthday Honours of June 1916
In September 1916 he returned to political office, as parliamentary military secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, and in December he reluctantly became the Liberal Chief Whip. He did not enjoy these duties and resigned in March 1917 in order to return to active military service, reflecting that 'I am of military age, and I feel that I ought to be doing my duty as a soldier'.
He re-joined the Royal Bucks Hussars in Egypt and served until November 1917. It is likely he was involved in an attack on El Mughar on 13 November when his regiment lost nine men killed.
The charge of the 6th Mounted Brigade at El Mughar in Palestine on 13 November 1917 has been claimed to be the last great British cavalry charge. The action was commemorated in a painting by James Prinsep Beadle 'The Action of the 6th Mounted Brigade at El Mughar' in 1922.
When news of the death of Primrose reached home, Prime Minister David Lloyd George paid tribute in the House of Commons on 19 November 1917
"May I be permitted before I sit down to utter one word of another who held an inconspicuous position in the Army but who was well known to all Members of this House. I refer to Captain Neil Primrose. The House knew his bright and radiant spirit well. To his intimates he was one of the most lovable men we ever met. He had ability far above the average, and, in spite of the reserve and shyness which held him back, his future was full of hope. He had already rendered distinguished service in the field, and for that service he had been recognised at the suggestion of his commanding officer; and he might well, for he had many offers, have occupied positions where he could have rendered services to the public, positions honourable to him, but positions of personal safety, and the fact that he had been chosen by his constituents to serve in this House would have rendered his acceptance of these positions honourable to himself. He chose deliberately the path of danger. He fell charging at the head of his troops, at the very moment of victory, and Members of the House will, I feel certain, join me in an expression of deepest sympathy with those whom he has left behind to mourn him."
* Please note this item is subject to 5% VAT on the hammer price (UK Buyers only).
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions. Please note all Lots are listed in accordance with UK Law, for overseas buyers, please ensure you are familiar with your relevant local firearms and customs regulations before bidding.
Estimate £1,500-2,000
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act