J. PURDEY, 314 ½ OXFORD STREET, LONDON, SERIAL NO. 9026

Details

A 10-BORE (2 7/8 IN.) DOUBLE-BARRELLED ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMERGUN
J. PURDEY, 314 ½ OXFORD STREET, LONDON, SERIAL NO. 9026
With rebrowned 28 in. (71 cm.) twist nitro reproved (Imperial) barrels, action with carved fences, non-rebounding bar locks, best quality scroll engraving throughout, retaining much original case-hardened finish throughout, figured 14 3/8 in. stock, and silver escutcheon, weight 7 lbs. 12 ¼ oz.

Provenance

The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun was completed in 1873 for Sir St. George Gore and their records note that it was submitted for nitro reproof.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

Sir St. George Gore, a wealthy Irish baronet, was a devoted hunter. He undertook a hunting expedition across the American West between 1854 and 1857 taking in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas. Accompanied by a considerable staff and suitably large column including an armaments wagon allegedly containing numerous pistols, shotguns and around seventy-five rifles, he claimed to have killed in excess of 2000 buffalo, 1600 deer and elk, and 105 bears. Although a complaint was made to the Secretary of the Interior concerning the destruction of game, no action was taken and he returned to Ireland in 1857.

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