A robust 19th century pinfire shotgun from Vienna is not something you would normally see in a workplace – but then life is never ordinary, nor typical at Hansons, writes Charles Hanson.
Sporting guns are an important part of our regular Country Pursuits Auctions, the next one being on May 21.
So, it was no surprise to find Hansons’ gun expert Adrian Stevenson’s carefully examining a double-barrelled shotgun, etched with nearly 200 years of character.
Adrian knows everything there is to know about guns. He had his first gun licence at the age of 18 and has built up his impressive knowledge over several decades.
He assesses the wide array of antique sporting guns that come into our saleroom. They are collectors’ pieces and, at times, sought after by re-enactment societies. Many of you will have witnessed vivid displays by re-enactors. For example, every year they recreate the 1745 battle fought by Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army at Swarkestone Bridge, near Derby.
The gun Adrian was cataloguing was made by Albert Staehle in Vienna in the mid-1800s. It demonstrates workmanship of the highest quality. Staehle was a renowned gunmaker in Austria.
The stock barrel is made of walnut and the gun features engraved decoration of a fox and birds. This indicates its original purpose – it was made for hunting.
In the mid-1800s people often owned shotguns to shoot game or small animals to provide food for the table.
Pinfire guns like this would have been expensive to purchase in their heyday. They were built to last and crafted with care.
This particular example has a guide price of £180-£220 which makes it eminently affordable for anyone considering starting out as a collector. It’s a thriving market which sees the finest guns sell for thousands of pounds.
For example, in 2017 we uncovered a matching pair of 16-bore ejector shotguns by William Richard Leeson (1851 to 1933), which were made around 1920.
Leeson was renowned for quality. He cemented his success in 1890 when the firm was appointed rifle maker to the Duke of Edinburgh. The guns are worth £8,000 to £12,000.
Other sought-after makes include Holland & Holland, Purdey, Boss, Woodward and Francotte.
Thanks to the rural nature of Derbyshire and its surrounding counties, we regularly see impressive collectors’ items like this and, of course, welcome more.
We live in an area awash with farms and rural communities and our equestrian community is thriving. Derbyshire celebrates this heritage every year at events such as Ashbourne Show and Chatsworth Country Fair. I like to honour this heritage though our Country Pursuits Auction. As a Derbyshire lad who grew up on a small farm, it’s something that’s very important to me.
We see many objects with rural pedigree. For example, a few days ago a 19th century, silver mounted pony hoof inkwell and snuff box, made in London in 1854, was uncovered at a free valuation day. Estimate £200-£400.
Items such as these were made to honour the memory of a much-loved pony or horse by their owner after the animal had passed on. A way to remember them, forever.
Anglers, too, find much to fascinate them in our country pursuits sales. Quality fishing equipment, such as Hardy rods and reels, are desirable.
Entries are invited for Hansons’ May 21 Sporting Guns and Country Pursuits Auction until May 3. To arrange a private valuation, email [email protected]. Alternatively, we hold monthly free valuations of sporting guns and hunting and shooting collectables at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, the next one being on May 17, 10am-4pm. To find out more, call 01283 733988.
