Product Details
Property of The Hon. Patrick Greville Howard
BOSS & CO.
A PAIR OF 12-BORE SINGLE-TRIGGER EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 6769 / 70,
29in. nitro chopperlump barrels (No.2 reproofed in 2019), ribs gold-inlaid '1' and '2' at the breech ends, rib addresses worn, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/4 choke in all, toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, Boss 1905 improved patent single triggers, rolled-edge triggerguards, best fine acanthus scroll engraving with floral bouquets, retaining traces of original colour-hardening, 14 1/4in. highly-figured replacement stocks (by the makers), gold oval escutcheons bearing the crest of the Howard family of a lion Statant Gardant with tail extended and the motto 'NOUS MAINTIENDRONS', weight 6lb. 7oz., in their brass-cornered oak and leather case
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that the guns were ordered on 28th September 1920 for an E. Thornton. They are recorded as being a pair of hammerless ejector guns, one trigger, 12-bore, 29in. barrels with 15in. stocks
The vendor, The Hon. Patrick Greville Howard (born 18th August 1940) has kindly confirmed that the guns have been is his possession since he purchased them from Boss & Co. in the mid 1970's
His father, Charles Henry George Howard, 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th Earl of Berkshire GC, FRS, FRSE, known informally as 'The Scruffy Earl' played a vital role to the British war effort during WWII. In 1940 during the Fall of France, as Liaison Officer for the British Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, he helped engineer the escape of over thirty eminent scientists from France - including Lew Kowarski and Hans von Halban (pioneers in nuclear research) and the entire world's supply of heavy water. He also arranged for the escape of Paul Timbal, managing director of the Antwerp Diamond Bank, together with millions of pounds worth of diamonds - thus denying both resources to the invading German forces.
Having returned from France, the Earl worked for the Ministry of Supply as a Research Officer learning how to defuse bombs of new and unknown types. His methodology was extraordinary, often making notes of what he proposed to try to disarm a bomb (having sent everyone else away) so that should he fail, others would not make the same mistake in the future.
Tragically, on the 12th May 1941 a 250kg bomb, (later surmised to have been deliberately booby-trapped) exploded as preparations were being made to defuse it, taking the life of the Earl and several other personnel. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross by the King 'for conspicuous bravery in connection with bomb disposal'. He was just 35 years old when he died.
In his volume two of 'The Second World War', Winston Churchill makes specific reference to the heroic efforts of the Earl:
"One bomb disposal squad I remember which may be taken as symbolic of many others. It consisted of three people, the Earl of Suffolk, his lady private secretary and his chauffeur. They called themselves 'The Holy Trinity'. Their prowess and continued existence got around among all who knew and 34 unexploded bombs did they tackle with urbane and smiling efficiency, but the 35th claimed its forfeit. Up went the Earl of Suffolk in his Holy Trinity. But we may be sure that, as for Mr. Valiant-for-Truth, all the trumpets sounded for them on the other side"
Other Notes: Barrels: 73.5cm
Chambers: 65mm
Stock length: 36.5cm
Weight: 2.920Kg
Functions with snapcaps: yes
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Estimate £12,000-16,000
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act