Boer War Shotgun

12 GA Shotgun Hammer Action
Side by side

Charles Osborne (commonly abbreviated as Chas. Osborne) 12-gauge side-by-side hammer shotguns are classic British-made firearms, typically produced with 30-inch Damascus barrels, dual triggers, and finely scroll-engraved locks by the Birmingham and London firm. These vintage, pre-owned guns—sometimes built with nitro-proofed steel or Damascus barrels—are appreciated for their skilled craftsmanship, balanced handling, and heritage as high-quality sporting guns.

Key Characteristics and Historical Context

– Manufacturer: Charles Osborne & Co., based in Birmingham and London, produced these firearms, which are widely regarded as well-made examples of British gunmaking.

-Action: Side-by-side hammer action, typically featuring line-engraved locks, hammers, and trigger guards.

-Barrels: Commonly fitted with 30-inch barrels, often made from Damascus steel, with some later examples bearing nitro-proof marks

Exceptional Anglo-Boer War Memorabilia – Corrie Hutten (Documented POW, Soldier & Cultural Figure)

A rare and compelling piece of history connected to the Anglo-Boer War, centered on the remarkable life of Cornelis Ferdinand Louis (“Corrie”) Hutten.

Born on 2 June 1881 in South Africa to Dutch parents, Corrie descended from the distinguished German Herren Hutten lineage, with roots dating back to the 12th century. This noble family includes figures such as Ulrich von Hutten, and ancestors who fought alongside William of Orange, reflecting a deep and well-documented European heritage.

Corrie entered the war as a teenager, driven to defend his family and country. He was reputed to be an exceptional marksman, even at full gallop. During combat, he is said to have shot and killed a high-ranking British officer. He was captured at Fauresmith on 15 October 1900 at just 19 years old and reportedly faced trial for murder.

In a dramatic turn, an English legal expert intervened in his defence, arguing that Corrie had acted in self-defence during active battle, with his youth considered a mitigating factor. This spared him a harsher fate, and he was instead sent to a Prisoner-of-War camp in Ceylon.

While imprisoned, Corrie’s fluency in English reportedly enabled him to distract British guards, assisting fellow prisoners in an escape attempt involving a Russian vessel. When his turn came, he was tragically shot in the leg during the escape and recaptured. These events form part of the broader narrative of Boer prisoners held overseas.

Corrie was also known to be artistic, and his prisoner number, photographs, and creative work are formally documented in the doctoral thesis by Victoria Regina Heunis, “Anglo-Boereoorlog

Boerekrygsgevangenekuns, 1899–1902”, produced at the University of Pretoria (Faculty of Humanities). He is specifically referenced on pages 118–119.

After the war, Corrie contributed to the cultural development of Afrikaans, working with HAUM in Cape Town to help publish some of the earliest Afrikaans texts. Deeply passionate about the language, he played a small but meaningful role in preserving and promoting Afrikaner identity.

This item represents:

• A documented Anglo-Boer War soldier and POW
• A dramatic personal story of battle, trial, and survival
• Verified historical references in academic research
• Cultural significance in early Afrikaans publishing

Ideal for collectors of military history, Africana, genealogy, and rare documented artifacts.

A truly unique opportunity to own a piece of South African and European-linked heritage.

These rifles reach the value of 100K and more!

Note: This firearm is a estate firearm