The Auction report: August 2018

Gavin Gardiner’s late August auction at Gleneagles Hotel saw a fine pair of 12-bore self-opening sidelock ejector guns by J. Purdey & Sons that were built in 1937 for William S. Paley sell for more than £40,000. William S. Paley was the chief executive who built Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) from a small radio network to one of the foremost radio and television network operations in the United States.

The second highest price was paid for a fine pair of 12-bore “creative art” engraved single trigger round action over and under ejector guns by Scottish gunmaker David McKay Brown for over £36,000. The maker confirms that the guns were built in 2003.

Other notable items in the sale included:

Lot:

077

Price:

£42,500

Estimate:

£30,000-40,000

Buyer:

European Private

J. Purdey & Sons: a fine pair of 12-bore self-opening sidelock ejector guns. The maker confirms that the guns were built in 1937 for William S. Paley (who was the chief executive who built Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) from a small radio network to one of the foremost radio and television network operations in the United States).

Lot:

158

Price:

£36,250

Estimate:

£30,000-40,000

Buyer:

European

David McKay Brown: a fine pair of 12-bore “creative art"engraved single trigger round action over and under ejector guns. The maker confirms that the guns were built in 2003.

Lot:

024

Price:

£20,000

Estimate:

£12,000-18,000

Buyer:

UK

W. W. Greener: a fine 10-bore hammer rifle. The maker confirms that the rifle was ordered in 1888 and completed 2 December 1892. It was described as a ‘bar grip’ rifle with a 14-inch stock.

Lot:

074

Price:

£9375

Estimate:

£6000-8000

Buyer:

USA

F. Beesley: a pair of 12-bore sidelock ejector guns. The maker confirms that the guns were built in 1896.

Lot:

090

Price:

£8750

Estimate:

£5000-7000

Buyer:

UK

J. Purdey & Sons: a 12-bore self-opening sidelock ejector gun. The maker confirms that the gun was built in 1894 for J. Cowper Esq. A copy of the original invoice is included in the case.

Lot:

129

Price:

£7500

Estimate:

£6000-8000

Buyer:

European

J. Dickson & Son: a 12-bore round action ejector. The maker confirms that the gun was built in 1926.

Lot:

089

Price:

£7500

Estimate:

£5000-7000

Buyer:

UK

J. Purdey & Sons: a 12-bore single trigger self-opening sidelock ejector gun. The maker confirms that the gun was built as the No.1 of a pair for Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey in 1887. The gun was subsequently converted to ejector by Boss & Co. and also fitted with their single trigger. It is well documented that Payne-Gallwey had a disagreement with Purdey over a game counter he invented, so it is likely that when it was time to re-barrel the gun he chose to approach Boss instead. Likewise, Boss were well known for their single trigger and ejector conversions at this time.

Lot:

076

Price:

£7500

Estimate:

£7000-9000

Buyer:

UK

William Powell & Son: a pair of 12-bore sidelock ejector guns. The maker confirms that the guns were built in 1906 for the Marquess of Normanby.

Lot:

087

Price:

£6250

Estimate:

£5000-7000

Buyer:

UK

Boss & Co: a 12-bore assistedopening single trigger sidelock ejector gun. The maker confirms that the gun was built in 1898 as the No.3 gun of a trio and that the replacement barrels were fitted by the maker in 1976.

Lot:

070

Price:

£6250

Estimate:

£3000-5000

Buyer:

USA

Henry Atkin: a pair of 12-bore side lever sidelock ejector guns.

Auctioneer and Expert in Charge, Gavin Gardiner said: “This prestigious annual sale, now in its 51st year, was well viewed and attended with strong bidding on many of the lots presented. Rare and unusual items sold well with private buyers dominating the sale. I look forward to my next sale at Sotheby’s in London on December 12th.” Gavin Gardiner will be holding a series of valuation days around the UK in October and his next sale will be at Sotheby’s, London on December 13th. www.gavingardiner.com