Six beautiful guns in the Bonhams Sporting Guns auction

The upcoming Sporting Guns sale at Bonhams in Knightsbridge, which takes place on 25th November, has nearly 200 lots, from taxidermied fish to fine guns. We asked Senior Specialist in Modern Sporting Guns at Bonhams, William Threfall, to highlight six lots of particular interest. "As usual there are some beautiful fine guns in the auction from some of the biggest names in gunmaking." He said. "I've picked out six lots that I think are of noteworthy, either because of the fine engraving, the unsusal nature of the guns themselves, or because of the story attached, as with the pair of William Evans 20-bores. While these are a few of guns that most stood out to me, with so many lots in the sale, there are shotguns to suit all budgets and tastes." 

Holloway & Naughton 20-bore over and under - £20,000-30,000

Weight 6lb. 4½oz., 14½ in. stock, 28in. barrels, approx. ¼ & I.C. chokes, 2¾in. chambers, Birmingham nitro proof

This lovely 20-bore has a highly figured stock, but it is the engraving that makes it particularly noteworthy. Engraved by Wiseman, the lockplates feature scenes of pheasants on the right, and partridges on the left, all in natural settings, surrounded by profuse bold foliate scrollwork on a stippled ground. The underside and trigger guard are each engraved with a woodcock, while the gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, rolled-edge trigger-guard, and gold inlaid toe-plate, and engraved cap to the pistol grip add to the overall beauty. FIND OUT MORE

Pair of Holland & Holland ‘Royal’ 12-bore Sidelock Ejectors - £25,000-35,000

Weight 6lb. 7¾oz. (No. 1) and 6lb. 9¼oz. (No. 2), 14½in. stocks, 28in. barrels, approx. ¼ & ½ (No. 1) and ½ & ⅜ chokes, 2¾in. chambers, London nitro proof

Numbered ‘1’ and ‘2 on the toplevers, ribs and forends’, this pair of Holland and Holland Royal side-by-side sidelocks have chopper lump barrels with game-ribs, as well as gold-inlaid cocking indicators and bold foliate-scroll engraving. They’re presented in a fine leather motorcade and have well-figured walnut stocks.  FIND OUT MORE

James Purdey & Sons 12-bore Sidelock Ejector - £15,000-25,000

Weight 6lb. 9½oz., 15½in. stock, 28in. barrels, approx. ¼ & ½ chokes, 2¾in. chambers, London nitro proof

Engraved by Grifnee and Delcour, the action of this side-by-side is decorated with deep carved foliate-scrollwork and grotesque creature. The trigger guard features a carved cobra, and the triggerplate is signed by the engraver. The gun is presented in a brass-mounted oak and leather case, and is sold with accessories, a canvas cover and a leather leg-of-mutton guncase. FIND OUT MORE

Abbiatico & Salvinelli 12-bore - £6,000-9,000

Weight 8lb. 1½oz., 14½in. stock, 30in. barrels, Teague chokes, 2¾in. chambers, Italian nitro proof

This side-plated round-body over and under is has a well-figured stock with a pistolgrip and an engraved cap. The bold foliate-scoll engraving is by G. Mariachi, and sits on a stippled background. FIND OUT MORE

James Purdey & Sons .270 bolt-magazine rifle - £6,000-9,000

Weight 9lb. 7¾oz., 14¼in. stock, 24in. barrel, London nitro proof

This Mouser action-body rifle was completed in 2010 and features best engraving throughout. The magazine floorplate has bouquet and foliate scrollwork as well as engraved recoil blocks, pistolgrip-cap and breech-end. The well-figured stock has a pistolgrip, and the rifle is mounted with a Zeiss Diavari C 3-9x36 telescope-sight. FIND OUT MORE

Pair of William Evans 20-bore sidelock ejector guns - £15,000-20,000

Weights 6lb. (No. 1) & 6lb. 1oz. (No. 2), 14⅝in. stocks, 28in. barrels, both approx. ⅜ & full choke, 2½in. chambers, London nitro proof

Originally made in 1955 for the arctic explorer Augustine Courtauld, who took part in the British Arctic Air Route Expedition of 1930-31, this pair of sidelock side-by-side shotguns have treble-grip action-bodies with best bold foliate-scroll engraving and well-figured stocks. They are numbered ‘1’ and ‘2’ in gold. FIND OUT MORE

The sale contains everything from handguns to hammer guns, .410s to 8 bores, walking-stick guns to wildfowling pieces, as well as a host of great value guns. Check out the all of the listings here, or click here to download the catalogue.

If one of these guns inspires you to bid,  make sure you check out our article on how to buy a gun at auction.