Frederick Robinson, 2nd Marquess of Ripon was one of the UK’s most famous game shots. In his lifetime, he bagged more than 500,000 birds, plus countless hares and other animals. and he shot Purdey hammerguns, including this one shown here: J Purdey & Sons, a RARE 12-BORE HAMMER EJECTOR GUN, NO. 14981, BUILT IN 1895 FOR LORD RIPON (AS EARL DE GREY).
Sports Illustrated published a piece about Lord Ripon way back 1972. An excerpt is below, along with links to the entire article. It’s an interesting read and worth checking out.
THE GAME HOG OF DALLOWGILL
IN A LIFETIME OF WARFARE AGAINST THE WINGED KINGDOM, LORD RIPON DOWNED MORE THAN 500,000 BIRDS
“At the top of the hill a pair of liveried Yorkshire gamekeepers whacked hard with their sticks at the tight thorn-bushes of the hedgerow. Fifty yards away, in a hollow, stood the owner of the land, with his shooting companion, the local vicar. As the keepers moved forward, there was a flap of bright wings, a shot, and the quarry spun to the ground. Then another type of prey emerged, flying low and fast toward the waiting guns. Again a clean kill. So, at the end of the drive, one butterfly and one bumblebee were solemnly added to the day’s bag …”
Read all of THE GAME HOG OF DALLOWGILL
