Leather Shotgun Cartridge Magazine Admiral Sir Frederic Wake-Walker ANTIQUE
A large leather shotgun cartridge magazine owned by Admiral Sir William Frederic Wake-Walker KCB CBE (1888 - 1945). A British admiral in the Royal Navy, famous for his role in the Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo), and his lead in the search and destruction of the German battleship Bismarck.
This leather antique magazine is designed for storing and transporting shotgun cartridges. This sturdy case is covered with richly patinated brown leather with hand stitching and brass corner protectors. The leather carrying handle and exterior straps are adorned with brass fittings.
The whole interior and all partition walls are covered with new calico fabric. The storage space is divided up into seven compartments providing space for more than 200 cartridges. A newly fitted handle anchor prevents the lid from opening too far and causing damage to the hinges. All storage sections have their own individual leather risers that are correctly attached onto original brass wall knobs.
The top of the outer lid carries a brass plaque with the initials W.F.W-W in a decorative script. The postmarked envelope that carries the original owner's title and name, discovered by us inside the case, will also be supplied as further provenance. Addressed to Admiral Sir Frederik Wake-Walker it shows his home address near Colchester and a re-directed London address (presumably the Admiral's London residence). An interesting point is the Ipswich post mark, dated for the 12th of May 1945, which was only four days after VE Day.
This magazine came to us in a very sorry condition. To bring this important case back to life we commissioned the best leather expert and restorer (in our view) in the UK. The leather has been carefully cleaned and fed. It is now well nourished and in great condition again showing a magnificent brown colour with depth. The missing carrying handle and broken outer straps have been replaced. The inside of the interior was re-covered with high quality calico. The missing riser straps have been replaced with new leather. An authentic trade label of Stephen Grant & Jospeh Lang, period correct to this case, is fitted to the inside of the magazine lid. The replacement sections have been colour matched and aged, so they blend well. But most importantly, the cartridge case is still showing all its age with the many signs of wear and charming character.
This beautiful case, showing its long history (including all its scars) is now ready for its next owner. We are watching with interest who will become the new custodian of this exceptional case owned by this illustrious Admiral of the Royal Navy.
Product summary
- Manufacturer: Unknown
- Trade Label: Yes, not original to this case
- Place Of Origin: United Kingdom
- Material: Leather, wood, brass and calico
- Period: 1920's
- Provenance 1: Brass Plaque With Original Owner's Initials
- Provenance 2: Postmarked Envelope With Original Owner's Titles, Name and Home Address
- Provenance 3: Written confirmation Wade-Walker family/descendants
- Size: Length 57cm (22.5 inches) x Width 29cm (11.25 inches) x Depth 15cm (6 inches)
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