Product Details
WILLIAM EVANS
A 12-BORE (3IN.) BOXLOCK EJECTOR PIGEON GUN, serial no. 17050,
30in. nitro barrels with raised file cut rib, tubes engraved 'WILLIAM EVANS. 63 PALL MALL. ST. JAMES'S, LONDON.', 3in. chambers, bored approx. full choke in both, treble-grip action with carved fences, removable striker discs, automatic safety, border engraving with some acanthus scrollwork, retaining traces of original colour-hardening and finish, 15 1/8in. figured semi-pistolgrip stock finely inset with 'EE de WW AND', weight 7lb. 11oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that the gun was ordered on 24th November 1933 by E.E. de Winton Wills as an 'Evans 12 c & top snap E.A. double Hammerless Ejector Pigeon Gun with 30" steel barrels both full choke for 3" paper cases flat file cut rib'.
The instructions for stock measurements are 'as his Purdey Guns nos 22598 & 9' and similarly the instructions for the 'inlay in stock (silver letters) as follows similar to his pair Purdeys'.
Further notes make reference to 'must shoot tight patterns', 'No. I.R. Pad' and 'special price as agreed 35.0.0', the inlay to the stock costing a further 1.12.6.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Ernest Edward de Winton Wills, (4th Baronet) of Hazelwood, Laird of Meggernie Castle, late Scots Guards, and Captain of The Royal Guard of Balmoral Castle.
Sir Edward was born on 8 December 1903, the son of Ernest Salter Wills and Caroline Fanny Maud de Winton, at Clevedon, Bristol, Somerset. He married Sylvia Margaret Ogden in 1926. Edward became 4th baronet of Hazelwood upon the death of his father in January 1958. He also inherited Meggernie Castle, with its 240 square mile estate in Glenlyon, Perthshire. Meggernie Castle was sold in 1979 with 18,000 acres of land. Remaining sections of the estate were sold off between then and 1995. During WW2 Sir Edward served with the Scots Guards and the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was also called upon by His Late Majesty King Hussein to recommend suitable officers to supervise the training of officers of the army. At one stage he commanded the garrison guarding HM King George VI at Balmoral Castle.
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Estimate £1,500-2,500
S2