Product Details
J. WOODWARD & SONS
A 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 4717,
29in. Whitworth-steel nitro reproved chopperlump barrels, rib gold-inlaid '2' and re-engraved 'JAMES WOODWARD & SONS. 64, ST JAMES'S STREET. LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH'S FLUID PRESSED STEEL', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. and 1/4 choke, arcaded fences, side-clips, removable striker discs, toplever gold-inlaid '2', automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, protruding tumbler pivots with gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, fine acanthus scroll engraving, retaining virtually full renewed colour-hardening and finish, 15in. figured replacement stock and matching fore-end wood, weight 6lb. 8oz., in a lightweight leather case
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun was completed in August 1893 as No.2 of a pair for Sir George Prescott Bart.
Sir George Lionel Lawson Bagot Prescott, 5th Baronet (1875 - 1942) was educated at Wellington College, and succeeded to the title 5th Baronet in 1894. He was commissioned into the Militia, the 4th Battalion Cameronians, in 1895 and in 1898 he was commissioned into the 2nd Life Guards, and served in the Boer War. in 1907 he was promoted to Captain and retired from the army in 1908. With the onset of war he returned to the 2nd Life Guards and saw service with the British Expeditionary Force in 1914. He later served as Military Secretary and A.D.C. to the Lord Lieutenant on Ireland in 1916. In 1919 he served with the North Russian Expeditionary Force.
He is mentioned in "A History of the British Cavalry Vol 4: 1899 - 1913" by the Marquess of Anglesey, in a slightly unfavorable light in a case of the bullying of an unpopular officer in the 2nd Life Guards. Sir George Prescott (Bt) and 3 others decided that 2nd Lieutenant Charles Gregson "should have life made so unpleasant for him that he would leave the regiment" on the 21st July, 1902.
"According to the senior officer present that evening, "a sort of bogus auction" was held in the course of which Gregson's uniform was "roughly pulled off" and his overalls were destroyed. A coal scuttle filled with "horse refuse" was then emptied over the unfortunate fellow's head and he was forced to run around the green outside the mess wearing only his boots and a pair of drawers - all within the hearing of the sentries. The senior officer, who took no part in proceedings, then went to bed "as there did not appear to be any sign of bullying". The four Subalterns then proceeded to duck Gregson in the water trough and roll him in the mud, then followed him to his bedroom and threw all but one piece of furniture out of the window. What made the incident worse was that Gregson was Orderly Officer that evening and was of course unable to do his rounds with nothing to wear!"
Literature: "A History of the British Cavalry Vol 4: 1899 - 1913" by the Marquess of Anglesey
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Estimate £5,000-7,000
S2