BY WILLIAM SMITH, PRINCES STREET, LONDON, NO. 2187 FOR 1818

細節

A Fine Cased 13-Bore D.B. Flintlock Sporting Gun
By William Smith, Princes Street, London, No. 2187 for 1818
With browned twist barrels of fine pattern signed on the rib and with dovetailed silver fore-sight, case-hardened recessed patent breeches each with four gold lines and platinum-lined touch-hole, engraved grooved tang, signed engraved case-hardened serial numbered locks each with rounded cock and tail, and inscribed respectively 'Patent 1395' and 'Patent 1396' to the rear of the swept rainproof pan, rollers, patent steels engraved respectively 'Patent Self Primer 1395' and 'Patent Self Primer 1396', chequered jaw-screws, finely figured walnut half-stock with no provision for a ramrod, chequered grip and fore-end, engraved blued iron mounts, the tang of the butt-plate with a black cock and a grey hen, the bow of the trigger-guard with the number '1' in gold, silver escutcheon engraved with crest and motto of Sutton, and much original finish: in fitted mahogany case (No. 3037) lined in blue velvet (central partitions damaged) with numerous accessories including Sykes powder-flask, the lid (minor cracks) with illustrated trade label for circa 1817-19, flush-fitting carrying handle, and circular escutcheon, London proof marks, the barrels forged by William Fullerd
301/8in. (76.6cm.) barrels

來源

Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd Bt. (1798-1855)
Arthur Rosling, Chelmsford, Essex

注意事項

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

拍品專文

Sir Richard Sutton succeeded to the family title in 1802 when only four years old, and was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. On coming of age he was at once one of the most wealthy men in the country with large estates in Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Leicestershire, and London, and devoted himself thereafter to foxhunting and shooting, in which pursuits (trained by George (Squire) Osbaldeston) "it was maintained by his friends he never had an equal". He was Master of three hunts in succession, including the Quorn, and one of the finest shots of his day, favouring flintlock guns well after the introduction of the percussion cap. So devoted was he to shooting that he seldom missed a day during the season, except when he was hunting

Sir Richard was also noted for his hospitality and his love of music. Although asked to stand for parliament on a number of occasions he never entered politics, which he was said to despise. He died suddenly in his London mansion, Cambridge House, 94 Piccadilly - the Quorn called off hunting for the day, and hounds returned to kennels