2018/19/1-3
Single barrel, 16 bore, shotgun used by a Gamekeeper when working on the Sulham estate from around 1914. The lock plate bears the inscription 'G E Walker from Purdeys'. The stock has the initials AH crudely inscribed on one side. The gun can be dismantled into the stock (1), barrel (2) and forend (3). The London proof marks on the barrel date the gun to between 1855 to 1875 and give the number 1270, it also has the makers name G.E. Walker Newbury from Purdeys London inscribed. The Damascus barrel has been 'browned' to bring out the pattern in the metal.
Physical description
1 shotgun: metal, wood
Archival history
Museum Object Entry Form – ‘Museum Name: Museum of English Rural Life // Received from: [...] // Address: // Tel No: // Owner (if different): // Address: // Tel No: // Description of Object/Collection: 1x Single Barrel Shotgun // Reason for Entry: Donation // Additional Agreement (Donations/Sales Only): Owner // Museum Signatory: 19/12/2017 // Return of Object to Owner:‘MERL miscelleaneous note - During a visit made to see the object following formal acquisition the donor added further details regarding the possible contextual history of the shotgun. Her great grandfather (father of onetime owner Thomas Harris) may have worked as head gamekeeper on Highclere Estate. It is therefore possible that the gun may have been passed from father to son. Although not confirmed, this speculative object history would tally with the earlier proof marks on the object. Of course, it may also have been acquired by the family second hand at a later date [Ollie Douglas 4 May 2018]
Greater London [region]; 1855 - 1875