Art News

Bonhams to sell shotgun of Indian Prince of the Punjab, a godson of Queen Victoria

LONDON.- Bonhams next Sporting Gun sale on 4th April at Knightsbridge includes a weapon with a remarkable history – it was made for a young Indian Prince whose father lost his kingdom in the Punjab and who spent his life shooting and gambling. An unusual 12-bore hammer gun by J. Purdey & Sons, made for Prince Duleep Singh, is estimated to sell for £2,000 to £3,000 at Bonhams. The makers have kindly confirmed that the gun was completed as one of a pair of guns for Prince Duleep Singh. This gun would appear to have been purchased for the Prince when he was fifteen years old, and as such may well have been one of Prince Victor’s earliest guns. The family estate of Elveden, in Norfolk, having played host to many shooting parties and some of the best shots of the day, was sold to the 1st Earl of Iveagh in 1894 after the death of Prince Victor’s father. It remains