Product Details
LONDON SPORTING PARK LTD.
A 16-BORE 'THE WATTS GUN' SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 215,
28in. Krupp-steel nitro reproved barrels with acanthus scroll detailing at the breech ends, the rib engraved 'LONDON SPORTING PARK LTD. THE WATTS GUN. HENDON & 60 NEW BOND STREET. LONDON.' with 'WATTS' inlaid in gold and gold-inlaid '1' at the breech end, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 1/2 choke, toplever (stiff) gold-inlaid '1', automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, fine acanthus scroll and floral bouquet engraving, retaining traces of original colour-hardening and finish, 15 3/4in. well-figured stock, minor crack at hand, including 3 1/2in. wooden extension, weight 5lb. 15oz., in a lightweight leather case
Provenance: The vendor has kindly supplied us with the following information regarding this Lot and the following Lot (used as a pair):
"My father, Sir Eric Bowater, purchased them for my mother, Lady Bowater, just after the Second World War.
She used them rarely, preferring to pick up rather than shoot. I used the guns in my late teens somewhat infrequently.
In 1962 I inherited my father's 12 bores resulting in the Watts 16 bores being unused for many years. In due course my mother gave my two sons
one each of the Watts 16 bores. Neither son has done much shooting but now use my guns ( I gave up shooting some ten years ago) when and if the opportunity arises. Hence the decision to dispose of the Watts 16 bores."
Sir Eric Vansittart Bowater (16th Jan 1895 - 30th August 1962) was educated at Charterhouse School and subsequently served with the Royal Artillery from 1913. In 1917 he was badly wounded at the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres). In 1938 he was decorated with the award of the Officer, Legion D'Honneur and between 1940 and 1943 was Director General of the Ministry of Aircraft Production. He was invested as a Knight in 1944.
Having the family paper business in 1921 and becoming Chairman and Managing Director in 1927, under his stewardship the company rapidly expanded and by the mid 1930's was producing 60 percent of British newsprint, the largest newsprint undertaking in Europe.
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Estimate £5,000-7,000
S2