Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
A FINE AND RARE 12-BORE TOPLEVER HAMMER EJECTOR LIVE PIGEON GUN, serial no. 22394,
30in. nitro chopperlump barrels with broad raised matt rib, tubes engraved 'J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. extra full choke in both, some pits towards chambers, treble-grip action with hidden third bite and side-clips, carved percussion fences, rebounding sidelocks, articulated front trigger, the action, lockplates and furniture profusely carved in high relief with scrolling acanthus and floral motifs interspersed with the heads of mythical beasts and sirens, the underside with a central depiction of the Green Man and all on a matted background, bright and blued finish overall, the action flats, fore-end iron and rear barrel lump all marked '2', 14 1/2in. boldly-figured stock including 3/4in. rubber recoil pad, weight 7lb. 12oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun was made for "Guinard" (agents for gun and rifle manufacturers in Paris) in 1927. Further research into the records revealed that the ultimate owner was H.M. Muley-Hafid.
Abd al-Hafid of Morocco, or Mulai Abdelhafid (1975 - 1937) was the Sultan of Morocco from 1908 to 1912, and brother of Abd al-Aziz, against whom he revolted, beginning in 1907.
Appointed caliph of Marrakech by Abd al-Aziz, Abd al-Hafid had no difficulty there in rousing the Muslim community against his brother's Western ways. With Marrakech his, Abd al-Hafid routed his brother's forces and pensioned off the sultan. Recognized as sultan by the Western powers in 1909, Abd al-Hafid invoked French aid against another pretender in 1912 and then was forced to recognize a French protectorate over Morocco, and abdicated after signing the Treaty of Fez.
He signed his abdication only when on the quay in Rabat, with the ship that would take him to France already waiting.
Other Notes: The indications are that the engraving will have been undertaken by Harry Kell in the style of Barre.
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Estimate £10,000-15,000
S2