Product Details
MADE FOR H.H. MAHARAJAH MAHENDER SINGH. MAHENDER BAHADOOR G.C.S.I. OF PATIALA
ALEXR. HENRY
A FINE 12-BORE 1871 JOHN THOMAS PATENT SINGLE-BITE SNAP-ACTION TOPLEVER HAMMERGUN, serial no. 3505,
29 3/4in. nitro reproved bold damascus barrels, rib engraved 'ALEXR. HENRY 12 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. EDINBURGH. MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESS' THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.', the tubes finely gold-inlaid in gothic script 'Made by order of H.H. Maharajah Mahender Singh. Mahender Bahadoor G.C.S.I. of Pattiallah. November 1874', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. in both, John Thomas 'Rectangular Wedge Bolt Patent' single bite snap-action, patent No. 3091 of 15th November 1871, use number 3445, carved percussion fences, rebounding sidelocks with dolphin hammers, fine acanthus scroll engraving with feathered bordering, the makers name inlaid in gold in gothic script, retaining very slight traces of original colour-hardening, toplever and triggerguard reblued, 14 1/2in. highly-figured stock with comb insert and 3/8in. ebonite extension, fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch, weight 6lb. 13oz., in a canvas case
Provenance: This Lot is accompanied by a copy of the original ledger entry. It tells us that this shotgun was orderedMarch 1875 as a best quality snap-action hammergun with 30in. barrels by the Maharajah of Patiala.
Relatively little has been written about H.H. Mahender (sometimes Mahendra) Singh of Patiala. He was born 1852 into the Phulkian Dynasty and acceded to the title of Maharajah of the princely 17-gun salute state at only ten years of age, although a Council of Regency would have been empowered in his name. He took full control of the state in 1870 and received the Grand Commander of the Star of India the following year. He died only five years later aged only twenty four.
Estimate £5,000-7,000
S2