Product Details
BOSS & CO.
A 12-BORE ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMERGUN, serial no. 2844,
29 7/8in. black powder only reproved damascus barrels, rib engraved 'BOSS & CO. 73 ST. JAMES'S STREET. LONDON.', and '2', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. in both, some deep pits and wall thicknesses well below recommended minimum, Jones patent rotary-underlever, carved percussion fences, rebounding back-action locks with dolphin hammers, border and acanthus scroll engraving, some patination and pits, 14 1/2in. figured stock including steel buttplate, weight 7lb. 4oz.
Provenance: The vendor has obtained copies of the original ledger entry for this shotgun (which accompany this Lot), showing that it was ordered in August 1870 to match gun no.2755 by Sir George Chetwynd, Bart.
Sir George was born 31st May 1849 to the 3rd Baronet of Brocton Hall and Lady Charlotte Augusta Hill, daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Downshire. He acceded to the title on the death of his father in 1869. He was a colourful character with a love and knowledge of racehorses who kept stables at Newmarket. Amongst his successes were winning the Ascot Stakes in 1877, and the 1883 Stewards' Cup at Goodwood.
He and Lord Lonsdale came to blows in Hyde Park in 1885 and had to be parted by onlookers. Lonsdale had been riding on Rotton Row with Lillie Langtry when she stopped to talk with Sir George who was taking a walk. The conversation, reportedly, became rather amourous and Lonsdale took exception to this, dis-mounting and striking Sir George who retaliated.
Another colourful occasion was the evening that George Baird came to dine with Sir George at his London house, 36 Curzon Street. Baird expressed his admiration for the building, whereupon Chetwyn sold it to him on the spot with all fixtures and fittings. Baird woke the next morning in the master bedroom, the new owner, confused and terribly hungover.
Sir George died 10th March 1917 when his son, George Guy Chetwynd acceded to the title becoming the 5th Baronet.
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Estimate £400-600
S2