拍品专文
Purdey's have kindly confirmed that the gun was completed in 1895 as the No. 2 gun of a pair of hammer ejectors.
During the last quarter of the 19th century, and up until 1914, the great shooting estates of Britain were at their pinnacle and Royal favour for the sport at its peak. As a result of the great amount of shooting done skills were developed to the highest degree and, inevitably, a noted few became pre-eminent in the art. Firmly among the leaders of the distinguished few was Harry Stonor. At a time when hosts vied with each other to show the finest sport it became highly desirable that the finest shots be invited to ensure the best bag possible. A study of the earlier game books of the great estates and moors will show the name of Harry Stonor as a frequent and distinguished gun.
He was born on 17th November 1859, the grandson of the 3rd Lord Camoys, and brother of the 4th Peer. His mother was the youngest daughter of the famous statesman Sir Robert Peel. Later she became a great favourite of Queen Victoria and, in due course, was appointed Bedchamber woman to the Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra). In consequence Harry Stonor, as boy and youth, enjoyed regular holidays at Sandringham where he developed his capacity for shooting. He was appointed Gentleman Usher to Queen Victoria in 1883; an office he also held under King Edward VII, as well as that of Groom-in-Waiting, and continued also to do in the reign of King George V. He was Deputy Master of the King's Household from 1918 to 1921.
A superb shot with rifle or gun (bettered, possibly, only by King George V and Lord Ripon) he combined matchless accuracy with great elegance of movement. Skilled in action, handsome, and well turned out, he was admired as the ideal of fine style in the shooting field. Sadly, towards the end of his life his sight worsened to such a degree that shooting became almost impossible. He died un-married
During the last quarter of the 19th century, and up until 1914, the great shooting estates of Britain were at their pinnacle and Royal favour for the sport at its peak. As a result of the great amount of shooting done skills were developed to the highest degree and, inevitably, a noted few became pre-eminent in the art. Firmly among the leaders of the distinguished few was Harry Stonor. At a time when hosts vied with each other to show the finest sport it became highly desirable that the finest shots be invited to ensure the best bag possible. A study of the earlier game books of the great estates and moors will show the name of Harry Stonor as a frequent and distinguished gun.
He was born on 17th November 1859, the grandson of the 3rd Lord Camoys, and brother of the 4th Peer. His mother was the youngest daughter of the famous statesman Sir Robert Peel. Later she became a great favourite of Queen Victoria and, in due course, was appointed Bedchamber woman to the Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra). In consequence Harry Stonor, as boy and youth, enjoyed regular holidays at Sandringham where he developed his capacity for shooting. He was appointed Gentleman Usher to Queen Victoria in 1883; an office he also held under King Edward VII, as well as that of Groom-in-Waiting, and continued also to do in the reign of King George V. He was Deputy Master of the King's Household from 1918 to 1921.
A superb shot with rifle or gun (bettered, possibly, only by King George V and Lord Ripon) he combined matchless accuracy with great elegance of movement. Skilled in action, handsome, and well turned out, he was admired as the ideal of fine style in the shooting field. Sadly, towards the end of his life his sight worsened to such a degree that shooting became almost impossible. He died un-married