Product Details
** STEYR
A 9.3mm (MS) 'M.1910' MANNLICHER SCHOENAUER BOLT-MAGAZINE TAKEDOWN SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. 7770,
22 1/2in. blued nitro barrel with ramp-mounted bead fore-sight, rear-sight of one standing and one folding leaf, 15in. pistolgrip stock including 1/2in. rubber recoil pad with hinged steel butt-flap, with cheekpiece, sling swivels, chequered grip and fore-end, horn pistolgrip-cap.
Provenance: This rifle belonged to the vendor's father, Clifford Simpson, a farmer on the Eastern Transvaal in the 1930s.
In 1931 he was engaged in boring operations for water irrigation when he noticed a lion's spoor. He left his gang of natives and went to investigate. After following the trail for about half a mile he was confronted by a lioness who he shot at but only succeeded in wounding her. The enraged lioness charged him and inflicted serious wounds to his hips and arms. He defended himself as best he could but another lion appeared from the bush and began to claw at him. Luckily his cries for help were heard by the natives and, as they came into view both the lions fled but leaving Simpson in a bad way.
He was taken to Pilgrimsrest for treatment before being flown to a larger hospital Johannesburg because of the likelyhood of blood poisoning. He made a full recovery from his injuries and continued to farm at Craigie Burn.
Estimate £700-900
THE ABOVE LOT WILL REQUIRE THE BUYER TO PRODUCE A RELEVANT BRITISH FIREARMS CERTIFICATE OR REGISTERED FIREARMS DEALER LICENCE BEFORE IT MAY BE RELEASED.
** PLEASE NOTE THAT VAT AT 15.0% IS APPLICABLE ON THE HAMMER PRICE.