Help With Research...?

[Roy]

Greetings Lads & Lasses,

I'm writing from the big Las Vegas antique arms show and have just had a really wonderful find - I'm now the proud owner of an exceptional No1 Lee-Speed rifle by Watson Bro's of London. The best bit is that it is in the original leather case and this brings me to the help I need...?

Research is not my area, so I'm really hoping someone can assist with trying to identify the original owner.

Here is what I have:

Owners initials are - W. H. S. P.
Their address was - 63A South Audley Street West London
The date would be from around 1897 to 1902

The date is based on the manufacturing details of the rifle so is approximate but I'm hoping as there are 'four' initials (quite unusual) and if this could be cross referenced with the address it to possibly identify the owner.

These rifles were popular with officers, so I'm really hoping this is a military man who may have been involved with the Boer War - okay that's a stretch but I can dream can't I..?

Anyway I'm hoping this is possible and someone can come through for me.

Now to take my wife out for a slap up meal to soften the blow of how much I spent on it...

Cheerio,

Roy

[Peter Brydon]

Roy,

Just had a quick look through my 1894 Army List ( the closest I have to the Boer War period ), it is a reflection of the size of the British Army that there were more than half a dozen officers with the initials WHP although none , as far as I could see with the initials WHSP.

I hope another member might be more helpful.

Peter

[Beaker123]

Can't add much but according to an 1894 issue of The Times there was a Mrs William Portal living at the address (I guess it wasn't her rifle though


Steven

[Charliedog012012]

I believe it could be William. H S Peters who appear to have been born in 1867 and was living in that Street in 1901 Census

[Charliedog012012]

I can now confirm that this was William Harold S Peters who was born in Burham Kent in 1867.
HE married Nima (or Nina) Nunn in the Sept - Dec Q 1893. She was also born in 1867.
In 1901 Census it shows they had a daughter , Dorothy B who was born in 1897.
The 1901 Census confirms the address given as 63 South Audley Street, St George Hanover Square, London.

This was a fairly wealthy area and William in 1901 was a Law Student studying at the Inner Temple.
He would have been well off financially. He had three servants (as indeed we all do)
Hope this helps
I imagine that the gun was purchased for his own purposes (Hunting?)

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

I must be brief as it's one more trip to the show, a quick visit to the Gordon Ramsey 'Chippey' (hoping that will be good) and then starting our drive back.

But wanted to say a quick but HUGE 'thank You'. So sadly no Boer War connection (always going to be a 'bridge too far').

Never the less, it is really wonderful to have a name to put to this wonderful rifle.

Chat later and five stars to Charlie...

Cheerio,

Roy

[Charliedog012012]

Roy,
Thought that the following link might be of interest to you in connection with your rifle purchase......William Peters lived in the Mayfair area and was sort of inbetween Hyde Park and Hanover Square area. Pall Mall would have been easy to get to by a Hansom Cab. Might interest other members too.

http://www.watsonbrosgunmakers.com/about-us/

Cheers
James

[Peter Brydon]

Great research.

P.B.

[Peter Brydon]

Don't you love trivia, according to Whitakers Peerage of 1904, The Hon. Mrs William Peters was the daughter of the 24th Baron Dunboyne.

P.B.

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

Once again, thank you all for this wonderful research and input. A great little piece of trivia there Peter, thanks for digging that out.

This is whey I love this forum, in that when one needs a little help there is always someone here that will go above and beyond.

Well I'm back from Las Vegas and here is a quick photo of the rifle that started all this along with a pic of the details on the front of the case.

Cheerio,

Roy