Product Details
J. PURDEY & SONS
A 12-BORE SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 13562,
29 1/2in. nitro reproved chopperlump barrels, rib engraved 'J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL', and '2', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. and 1/2 choke, right bore dimension marginal, some pits and dents, treble-grip action with hidden third bite, removable striker discs, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, arrow cocking-indicators, articulated front trigger, best bouquet and scroll engraving, brushed finish overall, 14 1/4in. figured stock, weight 6lb. 14oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly informed us that this shotgun was completed June 1890 with 29 1/2in. barrels for the Duke of Alba. It was built to match gun no.13190.
Carlos Maria Fitz-James Stuart, 16th Duke of Alba was born into the noble Spanish family on 4th December 1849. As heir apparent to the Dukedom, he was styled Duke of Huescar but became the 16th Duke of Alba on his father's death in 1881. As an heir of James Fitzjames, 1st Duke of Berwick, he also claimed the title Duke of Berwick, and used it when staying as Queen Victoria's guest at Balmoral.
He spent much of his career in ambassadorial circles, and was Spanish Ambassador to the United States when he succumbed to cancer, aged 51.
Estimate £3,000-5,000
S2