Product Details
BOSS & CO.
A PAIR OF SUMNER-ENGRAVED 12-BORE EASY-OPENING SINGLE-TRIGGER SIDELEVER SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 5193 / 4,
30in. nitro chopperlump barrels (No.1 replacements by the makers, No.2 nitro reproved and bore measurements marginal, wall thicknesses below recommended minimum), the ribs engraved 'BOSS & CO. 13-14. CORK STREET. LONDON. W1.' and gold-inlaid '1' and '2' at the breech ends, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. imp. and 1/4 choke (both), Boss easy opening sidelever actions, Boss improved patent single-trigger, patent no. 22894 of 26th November 1894, top straps gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, rolled-edge triggerguards, best fine bouquet and scroll engraving, retaining very slight traces of original colour-hardening and finish, 15 1/4in. figured replacement stocks including 1/2in. extension (No.2 with minor crack to right underhorn, minor insert repairs to both fore-end woods, No.2 ejectors require attention), weight 7lb. (No.1), 6lb 13oz. (No.2), in their makers brass-cornered oak and leather double guncase
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this pair of guns were completed for Captain E. Lumb in 1904
Literature: Boss & Co. Best Gunmakers 2nd Ed., by Donald Dallas
Other Notes: John James Sumner was born in August 1859, and credit must go to him for creating the rose and scroll engraving that identifies a Boss gun. On John Robertson's acquisition of Boss in 1891, he was determined to create a particular Boss engraving style. Together with his son, John George 'Jack' Sumner (born 1886) it is thought that they engraved many Boss guns of the Robertson era. The cost of this engraving was around £2 and usually was completed in around three days.
John Sumner died in 1909 and the engraving tradition (which had been the family way since the late 1700's) was continued by Jack. He engraved other makers guns but also continued to engrave many of Boss' guns. In 1915 Jack Sumner joined the Royal Army Medical Corp, and spent much of the War serving in Egypt. In 1920 Jack joined Boss as their own engraver, and he retired in 1939. He died in November 1959 having spent much of his retirement near destitute, and it was due to his high standing with his fellow gunmakers the Gun & Allied Trades Benevolent Society arranged provision for Jack, amounting to around £2 per month. On his death he left the amount of £539. 18s. 2d. in his Will, a small amount considering his great talent.
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Estimate £8,000-12,000
S2