A significant 12-bore shotgun and an iconic walking cane are among items to be auctioned at Gleneagles Hotel.
Gavin Gardiner’s annual auction of Fine, Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns now in its 44th year will be held in association with Sotheby’s on Monday evening.
Among the highlights will be the first 12-bore over-and-under gun built by Boss & Co in 1909, which is estimated to fetch £10,000″“£15,000.
This has been copied by almost every maker since, and is the father of the modern over-and-under sporting shotgun.
Pieces by the best Scottish and English makers will be included in the annual sale, which attracts substantial overseas interest.
Also of note is a fine pair of 20-bore Royal model sidelock ejector guns by London-maker Holland & Holland. Built in 1912 and decorated with scroll motifs, the guns are estimated to fetch £30,000-40,000.
Also included in the auction will be a walking cane that belonged to Lord Ripon considered to be the greatest sporting shot of all time.
The cork-handled walking cane is engraved with his coat of arms and should sell for between £800 and £1,200.
At Studley Royal in Yorkshire, he entertained the royalty and nobility of England and Europe and in turn shot at the greatest sporting estates, such as Holkham, Sandringham and Elveden, in the heyday of the shooting party.
He died on September 22 1923, in the field, having killed 51 grouse on his last drive. It is said that while the last birds of the day were being picked up, he fell down dead.
Among the guns and rifles will be many by Scotland’s finest makers such as Joseph Harkom, John Dickson & Son and James MacNaughton & Sons.
Mr Gardiner explained the historic significance of the Boss gun. “The Boss design has been copied by almost every maker since, and it truly is the father of the modern over-and-under sporting shotgun,” he said.
“It’s still the one by which all others are judged and has never been bettered.
“Little over 500 examples of this historic gun have been built by Boss in the subsequent 102 years.
“This world-renowned and historic auction is held two weeks into the grouse-shooting season and is a sporting highlight for shooting enthusiasts and collectors from all over the world.
“I am extremely pleased to say that more world record prices for sporting firearms have been achieved at this venue than at any other and the quality of the guns offered always reflects the stunning location in which the auction is held.”