Product Details
C.S. ROSSON & CO.
A PAIR OF 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 3268 / 9,
for 1932, 27 1/4in. nitro chopperlump barrels (No.2 wall thicknesses at 17, dents and rivels), the ribs gold-inlaid '1' and '2' and engraved 'C.S. ROSSON & CO. RAMPANT HORSE STREET. NORWICH.', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/4 and 3/4 choke (No.1) 1/2 and full choke (No.2), removable striker discs, toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2' automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, fine border and acanthus scroll engraving with floral bouquets, the undersides engraved 'C.S. ROSSON & CO. NORWICH', the triggerguards engraved with the portrait of a hound retrieving game, No.1 retaining some original colour-hardening and finish (No.2 brushed), No.1 with 14 1/2in. figured stock (slight crack rear of left lockplate), No.2 with 15in. figured stock including 7/8in. wooden extension (chequering worn smooth), both cast on for a left-hander, in their makers tan leather double motorcase
Provenance: The vendor has kindly informed us that this pair was made for Noel Terry, whose great grandfather founded the Terry confectionery business. The guns were given to Air Marshal Sir John Baldwin, Noel Terry's brother-in-law. The guns were then passed down through the family to the vendor.
Air Marshal Sir John Eustice Arthur Baldwin, KBE, CB, DSO, DL (13th April 1892 - 28th July 1975) was educated at Rugby School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars in 1911 and served as a cavalry officer in the First World War.
Baldwin was awarded the Royal Aero Club's Aviator's Certificate no. 971 on 17 November 1914 and became a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. In 1916 Baldwin married Kathleen Betsy Terry, of the Terry confectionery family. He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 55 Squadron in October 1916 and Officer Commanding No. 41 Wing in December 1917 before transferring to the Royal Air Force on its formation in 1918. He was appointed Commandant of the Central Flying School in 1928 and served as ADC to King George V from 1931-1932. He retired in August 1939.
After being retired for just two weeks, Baldwin was recalled to serve in the Second World War as Air Office Commanding No. 3 Group at RAF Bomber Command. Between 9 January and 21 February 1942, he was acting Commander in Chief of Bomber Command. In October 1942 he became Deputy Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, India. This appointment was followed from November 1943 by his posting as Air Officer Commanding Third Tactical Air Force which supported the ground battle in South East Asia. On 5 February 1943, Baldwin attended the departure of Major General Orde Wingate, the Chindits and the 1st Air Commando Group departed for Operation THURSDAY in Burma. He reverted to the Retired List again on 15 December 1944. Baldwin was Colonel of the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars from 1948 until 1958, when the unit amalgamated to form the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, and he served as High Sheriff of Rutland in 1955 - 56.
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