William Evans 12-bore commissioned by Sir Alec Guinness in 1959 to be auctioned; it cost just £95 new
Sir Alec Guinness (1914 – 2000) was undoubtedly one of Britain’s finest ever actors. He is remembered for playing eight characters in Kind Hearts and Coronets in 1949 and also appeared in The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago.
In 1959, the screen legend was knighted and in the year, he commissioned St James’s Street gun makers William Evans to make a 12-bore boxlock ejector gun for his son, Matthew. He paid £95.18.6 (the equivalent of £1,994, $2,528 or €2,390 or درهم9,284 today) for it and now that gun is to be sold by Holts on 8th December in London.
Of the gun, Alastair Phillips of William Evans commented:
“I can only imagine the excitement in the gunroom the day that Sir Alec Guinness walked in. We have had many well known names pass through our door, but I would have definitely liked to have met Sir Alec, a legendary film actor and knighted Brit. It is wonderful to know that he embraced and enjoyed what the British countryside has to offer, and we are excited we can now share the story of his passion with the public”.
An estimate of £3,000 to £5,000 ($3,800 to $6,400 or €3,600 to €6,000 or درهم14,000 to درهم23,400) has been set and Matthew Guinness’ initials remain engraved on the gun’s oval.
