Product Details
F. BEESLEY
A 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 2005,
for 1907, 29 3/4in. nitro reproved Whitworth-steel barrels, the rib gold-inlaid '1' at the breech end, rib and barrel inscriptions rubbed, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/4 choke in both, left wall at 20-, minor dents and pits, carved leaf fences, toplever gold-inlaid '1', automatic safety (at fault) with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, fine floral and acanthus scroll engraving, the lockplates with the Beesley crown and scrolling banners engraved 'F. BEESLEY. LONDON. PATENT.', brushed finish, 15 3/8in. replacement stock including 1 1/4in. wooden extension, some movement to fore-end, weight 6lb. 15oz., in a canvas case
Provenance: We have very kindly been supplied the following information by Tim Wilkes from research gathered in the process of his co-writing a book on Frederick Beesley:
"Your Lot No 1451 in the forthcoming March auction, the F Beesley 12 bore sidelock ejector, has some interesting background. Incidentally, it was in an auction with Brightwells in 2004.
It is number one of a trio of consecutively numbered guns, with a bespoke three gun box and stand. AO Barnes was the gentleman who made this exceptional, for Beesley, order and he picked them up from 2 St James's Street at the end of October 1908. The ledger describes them as best guns with Whitworth barrels, tube numbers 35755/6. The guns cost Beesley £38/10/0 each to make and were sold to Mr Barnes for £61/10/0 each.
No mention is made in the ledger of barrel length. By this time Beesley had established that his best guns were all fitted with 29 3/4 inch long barrels, usually quite openly bored.
The triple gun box had the correct Beesley label inside, filled out in his handwriting by the shop manager, Richard Street and noting that the guns were regulated for 33 grams of EC powder and 1 oz of 6 or 5 1/2 shot from their 140 bored barrels. The fine quality, brass bound oak and leather box was stamped 'AO Barnes' on the lid, the interior lined in crimson baize. The three barrels were fitted into a top tray, another tray lifted out for snap caps and accessories with side sections for each stock. It had a fitted canvas and leather protective cover and a mahogany stand. No mention is made in the ledger of this rather splendid and no doubt rather expensive gun box.
Guns numbered 2006 and 2007, the number two and three respectively of the trio, appear to have been sold as a pair during the Second World War, when Beesley had been absorbed into Grant & Lang. There is a note that this pair were presented in January 1944 by a 'Mrs S' to Gen AGL McNaughton of the Canadian Army. McNaughton was a gifted soldier but a controversial character. At the time of the presentation of the guns the married General appears to have been recalled from England to Canada.
In October 1945 the pair of guns are back at Grant & Lang's Bury Street shop. In May 1957 they were noted to be in the possession of Mr GA Smith-Bingham. The final ledger note indicates that in June 1963 new barrels were fitted to the pair, being 30" long with 2 1/2 inch chambers. We next come across the pair up for auction in 2007 at Holts.
Meanwhile the magnificent triple gun box made an appearance at auction in England with Tenants in 2008, before it moved across the Atlantic to be auctioned in 2012 and again in 2018.
It would be rather splendid to be able to bring this trio of guns back together again and to reunite them in their bespoke box.
I hope this is of some interest, if not for the catalogue, then for the new owner of gun No. 2005. I have photographs of the other two guns and the box."
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions. Please note all Lots are listed in accordance with UK Law, for overseas buyers, please ensure you are familiar with your relevant local firearms and customs regulations before bidding.
Estimate £1,000-1,500
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act