Product Details
STEYR
A 6.5mm 'STEYR 1899' BOLT-MAGAZINE SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. B2781,
26in. nitro barrel with open sights and two folding leaf sights with white metal sight lines, block-mounted bead fore-sight, receiver sidewall tapped, flag safety, figured semi-pistolgrip stock, sling eyes, leather sling, 14in. pull including buttplate
Provenance: The vendor has kindly related the following account pertaining to this Lot.
"I remember being told by my father about the night of the great Zeppelin raid on Bury St. Edmunds, 31st March to 1st April 1916. During the raid and airship flew over Rougham Hall and my great grandfather, Sir George William Agnew, grabbed his Steyr deer stalking rifle, climbed to the top of the tower of the hall and opened fire on the airship. The Zeppelin survived the encounter. However, during World War II, the Germans returned and bombed Rougham Hall. My great grandfather was still living there and had to be rescued from his bedroom by ladder."
Other Notes: Sir George William Agnew, 2nd Baronet, J.P. was born January 1852 and was educated at Rugby School before going up to St. John's College, Cambridge. He played rugby for the university and took part in the first Varsity Match for the Bowring Bowl. Oxford took that encounter but Agnew also played in the next two matches (won and drawn) and so became a three-times sporting Blue.
He stood as Liberal candidate for Salford West at the 1906 general election and won, unseating the Conservative Lees Knowles. He then held the seat for the next two elections before retiring from politics in 1918.
Estimate £250-350
S1