Product Details
JOHN WILKES
A FINE PAIR OF KELL-ENGRAVED 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 14033 / 4,
28in. nitro chopperlump barrels, the ribs engraved 'JOHN WILKES. 79 BEAK STREET. REGENT STREET. LONDON.', the breech ends gold-inlaid '1' and '2' and with fine acanthus scroll detailing, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/4 and 1/2 choke, scroll-back actions, toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, removable striker discs, fine acanthus scroll engraving with floral bouquets, the triggerguards engraved with cock pheasants in their woodland settings, retaining some original colour-hardening and finish, 14 1/4in. highly-figured stocks, bolstered fore-ends with finials gold-inlaid '1' and '2', weight 6lb. 2oz., in their leather double motorcase with some accessories and embossed trade label
Provenance: The holder of the records has kindly provided us with the following information:
"The guns were made by Webley and Scott and were supplied to Wilkes, London proved, stocked as a pair with best wood to supplied measurements, and in the white for £25 per gun. They were finished by Wilkes in the Beak Street shop. The engraving was by Henry Kell, who charged £2/10/0 per gun for the engraving and an extra 4/6 per gun for the gold numbering of the pair. The case was made by Philip Lewey. The guns were ordered for Hon R.R.Blades, the son and heir of Baron Ebbisham of Cobham, who appears to have paid for them. They were delivered in July 1937 at a price of £120 for the pair of guns and £8 for the case and accessories. This is the retail price of Wilkes best boxlock gun at the time. The current measurements as in your catalogue, stock length, barrel length and weight are as made. They were returned to Wilkes in 1953 for a clean and overhaul"
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Estimate £3,000-5,000
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act