Product Details
ARMY & NAVY
A .375 MAGNUM NITRO EXPRESS BOXLOCK NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 55014,
26in. nitro reproved (possibly converted from 2 1/2in.) chopperlump barrels with raised matt rib, open sights with two folding leaf sights for 100, 200 and 300 yards, ramp-mounted bead foresight, left tube engraved 'ARMY & NAVY C.S.L. LONDON.', treble-grip action with removable striker discs, automatic safety, border engraving, retaining some colour-hardening and finish, 14 5/8in. well-figured pistolgrip stock with steel pistolgrip-cap, sling-eyes and including 7/8in. rubber recoil pad, fore-end with grip-catch release lever, weight 9lb. 5oz.
Provenance: We are kindly informed by the holder of the records, that this rifle was purchased by Lt. Gen. the Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur of Idar in 1913, and that it left England for Bombay on the steamer S.S. 'Caledonia' on 18th July of that year.
Pratap Singh was born the third son to the Maharaja of Jodhpur and his first wife, Maharini Gulab Kunwarji Maji Sahiba. His eldest brother acceded to the throne on the death of his father in 1873 and Pratap Singh then served as Chief Minister for Jodhpur before acting as Regent to his brother and then nephew and grand-nephew until his own death in 1922. He made frequent trips to England and was a favourite of Queen Victoria. He also acted as Aide-de-Camp to Edward VII from 1887 until 1910 and he was particularly close to his son, the future King George V.
He also enjoyed a highly successful and noble military career beginning with the Jodhpur Risaldi in 1878. He was Mentioned in Despatches during the Second Afghan War, and during the Boxer Rebellion in 1902, by now a Colonel, he led the Jodhpur contingent and was promoted to Major-General soon afterwards. The mettle of the man is clear to see, as during the Great War, and he was aged 70 at the outbreak, he remained in command of his men in France and Flanders. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General in 1916.
Pratap Singh had abdicated the Gadi of Idar in 1911 in favour of his adopted son, although he did act again as Regent of Jodhpur following his Great War service. He died at Jodhpur on 4th September 1922.
Estimate £6,000-8,000
S1