GAVIN Gardiner's auction of fine modern and vintage sporting guns, in association with Sotheby's and held on December 11, 2007, was the largest for a number of years with over 300 lots on offer.

AYA shotguns are, arguably, the nearest equivalent to a best quality English gun and on offer was a fine pair of 20-bore No 1 Deluxe model single-trigger sidelock ejectors. These shotguns were built in 2003 and had 28-inch barrels with 2¾-inch chambers and about half choke borings.

The frames, hand-detachable locks and gold numbered top-levers were engraved with bold foliate scroll and had gold-lined cocking indicators. They retained all of their original bright and colour-hardened finish and appeared to be virtually unused. There were well-figured 15-inch straight-hand stocks.

Each weighed 6lb 1oz and they were sold in their English lightweight leather motor case with the makers' label. It was anticipated that they would sell for £15,000 - £18,000. They were knocked down for £18,000 (Lot No 270).

A fine W & C Scott 12-bore ‘Premier’ model sidelock ejector had 28-inch barrels, bored approximately half and full choke, and with a machined rib and a cross-bolt extension. It was chambered for 2¾-inch cartridges. The frames and locks were engraved with fine scroll and numerous scenes of game in natural landscapes. The clipped fences were deeply carved with ferns.

There was a 14¼-inch highly-figured semi pistol-grip stock with a ribbed buttplate. This gun was built in 1904 and retained much of its original finish. It weighed 6lb 7oz and carried a pre-sale estimate of £5,000 - £7,000. It sold for £6,500 (Lot No 156).

A fine 12-bore self-opening sidelock ejector by James Purdey & Sons, built in 1936, had 30-inch chopperlump barrels bored about quarter and half choke and chambered 2½ inches. The frame and locks were engraved with fine bouquet and scroll and much of the original colour-hardening remained. There was a 14½-inch well-figured straight-hand stock with a chequered buttplate.

This gun weighed 6lb 6oz and was sold in its brass bound oak and leather case. It was expected to sell for £10,000 - £15,000 and went under the hammer within this estimation for £14,000 (Lot No 153).

Another Purdey on offer was a 12-bore top-lever live pigeon hammer gun with 32-inch Whitworth steel chopperlump barrels with full choke borings. The bores were pitted and the wall thickness was marginal. There were 2¾-inch chambers.

The frame, mid-extension, rebounding back locks, hammer and top-lever were all scroll engraved and there were clipped fences. The 15-inch well-figured stock was a replacement,

The makers confirmed that this gun was built in 1902. Nitro-proofed, it weighed 7lb 4oz and had a pre-sale estimate of £5,000 - £7,000. It exceeded this by going under the hammer for £7,500 (Lot No 251).