LONDON.- A stunning 12-bore self-opening sidelock ejector gun by J. Purdey & Sons is to be sold at Bonhams Modern Sporting Guns, Rifles & Vintage Firearms auction on May 1 in Knightsbridge.

Estimated at £8,000-12,000 the gun was completed in 1924 for King Ferdinand of Romania who, in 1893, married Princess Marie of Edinburgh, grand-daughter of Queen Victoria (of Great Britain).

Queen Victoria did not initially approve the marriage of her grand-daughter to the Romanian Crown Prince, because of the very young age of the Princess - just 17.

However, after a series of negotiations, the marriage was agreed with Carol I King of Romania (King Ferdinand’s uncle and predecessor to the throne) and a treaty was subsequently signed in Bucharest on 15 December 1892.

King Ferdinand was a Roman Catholic and in light of the Orthodox christening of his second child, Princess Elisabeth, the Vatican reacted adversely and excommunicated him.

Only during the last days of his life, was permission given to cancel this decision and allow the last Eucharist to be administered.

The sale includes 180 lots including pistols, guns and rifles, with estimates ranging from £50 to £25,000.

A star lot in the sale is a fine trio of guns by Boss estimated at £18,000-25,000.