Product Details
FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF LORD LOUIS MOUNTBATTEN
A .25 (ACP) SEMI-AUTOMATIC VEST-PISTOL SIGNED FN, MODEL 'BROWNING 1903', serial no. 520838,
circa 1925, with brushed bright 2in. barrel, blued slide with full-length sighting groove to top, the right hand side engraved 'LORD LOUIS MOUNTBATTEN R.N.', blued frame with grip-safe and chequered hard rubber grips embossed with the 'F.N.' monogram, together with a period soft leather pocket holster (distressed)
Provenance: In 2013 the British Ambassador to Ireland, Dominick Chilcott wrote to the 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma (Patricia) and daughter of Louis, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma and alerted her to the discovery of her father's Browning pistol.
During an audit of the civilian weapon store at Custume Barracks in Athlone, James O'Neill the Brigade Ordnance Officer of 2 Brigade uncovered the baby Browning amongst the many other weapons stored there.
Their records showed that during a change in the Irish firearms law an amnesty was granted and in 1972 the pistol was handed into Cooloney Garda station in Sligo. It was initially stored in the military barracks but then was later moved to the civilian store where it rested for 40 years.
The Irish Army contacted the Ambassador and a formal handover took place in June 2013 at Glencairn House, the Ambassador's official residence. The Garda Commissioner, Martin Callanan, and the General Officer Commanding the 2nd Brigade of the Defence Forces, Brig-Gen Michael Finn were present.
In September of 2013, the pistol was delivered to Ivor Cowan, a gun dealer in Northern Ireland. Ivor arranged for its delivery to the Birmingham Proof House Museum where it later went on display with three other handguns owned by the family (the following three Lots).
Sadly, there is no knowledge of when and how the pistol came into Lord Mountbatten's possession. He was active in the Royal Navy, taking part in both World Wars and serving from 1916 to 1965.
Other Notes: For other items from Lord Louis Mountbatten's personal arms collection please see these rooms, sale number A1042, Lots 993-999 inclusive
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 £1,000-2,000
S5 - Sold as a Section 5 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act, Section 7.3 Eligible.
Unless prior arrangement has been made, two weeks after the Sealed bid sale, all Section 5 (and Section 7.1 / 7.3) items will be moved to a Section 5 carriers where storage charges will be incurred.
Goods will not be released until all outstanding charges have been met. Collection will be by arrangement.