Product Details
JOSEPH BRADDELL & SON
A 12-BORE THUMBHOLE UNDERLEVER SINGLE-BITE SNAP-ACTION HAMMERGUN, serial no. 2748,
circa 1870, 29 3/4in. nitro reproved bold damascus barrels (in 2020), the rib engraved 'JOSEPH BRADDELL & SON. CASTLE PLACE. BELFAST', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. in both, carved percussion fences, rebounding sidelocks with flat side hammers, thumbhole underlever with bifurcated triggerguard, fine acanthus scroll engraving with crosshatch bordering, brushed finish, 15 1/2in. figured stock including steel buttplate, fore-end with crosspin release (some losses to edges), weight 6lb. 12oz., in its leather case, the lid outer marked 'EDMUND MCNEILL. CRAIGDUNN'
Provenance: The case marking would indicate the gun belonged to Edmund McNeill (born 29th November 1821, died 28th September 1915) who held the office of Deputy Lieutenant of Country Antrim and Justice of the Peace for Country Antrim. He was also High Sheriff of Country Antrim in 1879.
Nicknamed 'Long Eddie' as a result of his unusually tall stature - 6ft. 7in. (see stock length). As a youth he travelled to Australia to seek his fortune. Initially he ran a sheep ranch near Talbot, Victoria, South Australia, but in 1847, following a fall and under the orders of his Doctor, returned to Ireland. Within two years of his having left, gold was discovered on what had been his ranch 'Glen Mona Run' and the neighbouring 'Daisy Hill Farm'. The find was not officially reported, the first official finds being reported in 1851 (leading to the gold rush in Victoria in 1853/4). The McNeills traditionally resided at Cushenden but for business reasons, Edmund spent much of his time at the more conveniently situated Craigdunn.
He is buried at Craigs Parish Church, Cullybackey
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Estimate £500-700
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act