Product Details
FRANC SODIA
A 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 378.45,
28 1/2in. nitro reproved barrels (slightly shortened) with broad raised matt rib, tubes engraved 'FRANC SODIA. FERLACH. AUSTRIA.', right wall thickness below recommended minimum, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 1/4 choke, scroll-back treble-grip action, automatic safety, carved in relief with oak leaves and acorns and foliate scrollwork, with scenes of a nye of pheasants and a flush of ducks, the underside with a woodcock surrounded by a banner engraved with the makers details, the triggerguard silver inlaid with the monogram 'W.H.S.', retaining much original colour-hardening, 14 1/2in. stock with steel heel and toe plates, repair at toe, weight 6lb. 9oz., in a leather case
Provenance: The vendor, to whom this shotgun was bequeathed in 2009, has kindly informed us of the following:
"It seems the gun was made especially for Major General William H. Stratton in about 1948 whilst he was a divisional commander in the British Army in Northern Germany. During the war Stratton won the D.S.O. and afterwards was made a C.B.E. His shotgun licence is enclosed with the original case. He went on to become commander of the British forces in Hong Kong in the 1950s.
The gun came into the possession of my wife's uncle. He then sold it to his brother who served in the Highland Regiments and was involved in the hand-over of Hong Kong in the 1980s. He eventually left the army and lived at the Tower of London as a Yeoman Warder."
Estimate £600-800
S2