Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
A PAIR OF 12-BORE TOPLEVER HAMMERGUNS, serial no. 12010 / 1,
30in. Whitworth-steel black powder only barrels, ribs engraved '1' and '2' and 'J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL.', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. in all, some internal pitting, No.2 loose on action, treble-grip actions with hidden third bites, carved percussion fences, rebounding back-action island locks with dolphin hammers, best acanthus scroll and floral bouquet engraving (worn), 14 7/8in. figured stocks (chequering worn smooth), No.1 including 1 3/8in. wooden extension, No.2 including 1 3/8in. wooden extensions in two parts, weight 6lb. 14oz., in their lightweight leather case
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this pair of guns were made for Sir Joseph R Bailey (Bt) in 1884.
Joseph Russell Bailey, 1st Baron Glanusk (1840 - 1906). Born in Leamington Spa, he was the son of Joseph Bailey, eldest son of the ironmaster Sir Joseph Bailey, 1st Baronet, and his wife, the eldest daughter of William Congreve Russell. He was educated at Harrow and Christ Church College.
In 1864 he served as High Sheriff of Brecknockshire. In 1865 he was elected to the British House of Commons for Herefordshire, a seat he held until 1885 when the constituency was abolished, and then represented Hereford between 1886 and 1892. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of Brecknockshire from 1875 to 1905. In 1899 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Glanusk, of Glanusk Park in the County of Brecknock.
Sir Joseph was one of the leading iron masters based in Merthyr Tydfil and via his mother's side of the family (a Crawshay) an iron making, coal mining dynasty was created generating huge wealth. Through marriage, the Crawshay-Bailey's ownership of Glanusk was transferred to the Legge-Bourke family. One of the direct descendants is Shan Legge-Bourke who is the current owner of Glanusk, and was Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Anne. Her daughter, Tiggy, was nanny to Princes William and Harry.
These guns were given to the Hester family, who were game keepers or head foresters for the Glanusk Estate.
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Estimate £5,000-7,000
S2