GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
8 BORE HOLLAND & HOLLAND HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE WITH ELEPHANT HIDE CASE AND AN ARRAY OF IVORY ACCESSORIES. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS DBL RIFLE 12199 8 BORE IVORY (1888) Cal. 8 bore. (.836 Groove diameter, 10 groove rifling) 24" Dovetailed bbls with dolls head extension, are engraved with Holland''s New Bond Street address, and "Field" rifle trial information, on tops. Full length rib is file cut behind one standing leaf express rear sight marked for 50 yards. Center portion is swamped forming slight base for silver bead front sight with flip-up porcelain "moon" bead. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs "G275P" (10 drams). Also with no. "75350" (?). SN is on heavy splinter. A large sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Robust, round bodied, Jones underlever action with top strap extending over comb, is fitted with peninsula back locks with flat faced, serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads and tall spurs. Action and locks are engraved with about 50% coverage very well cut, large, open, shaded scroll. "Holland & Holland" is on each lockplate, and left side of action is engraved "Charge 10 Drams. Case 3-1/2 Inches". Front trigger is "loose". Nicely streaked and well figured European walnut steel capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over Silver type pad, and features right hand shadow line cheekpiece, typical point pattern checkering at grip, and a vacant silver oval, as well as a sling eye on toe line. Matching splinter forend has forward pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 3-3/16", drop at comb: approx 2". Weight: 16 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Exceptional quality oak and gray elephant hide case with shaped brass corners is lined in charcoal gray velvet, and has old gold embossed black leather H&H label in lid. Case is semi french fitted for rifle and full complement of old and new tools with ivory handles. (ivory was sourced from a large tusk legally trophy hunted by the consignor in 1980.) Accessories include new brass Davis type mold casting spherical ball .828 in diameter, well made steel mainspring vice, round pewter oil bottle, another smaller oil bottle, as well as a large rectangular pewter oil bottle, steel wad punch, pair of brass snap caps, and nickel-plated case extractor. "Certifiable pre-ban elephant ivory" handled accessories include heavy 3-pc brass and ebony cleaning rod, striker key, three turnscrews, powder dipper, wad rammer, dusting brush, and an unknown implement handle. Other ivory accessories include 2" diameter vaseline jar, cartridge capping/ decapping base, and a striker bottle. A covered compartment holds pull through cleaning equipment, mop and brush, another wad punch, and a steel nutcracker type ball mold gold inlaid "Holland & Holland" and with SN for this rifle, as well as four cast lead conical bullets. Another compartment holds six turned brass 8 bore cases. PROVENANCE: Copy of factory ledger page indicating rifle was made in 1888, with "correct finishing" in 1892. CONDITION: Very good, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a satin re-blue, left bbl showing evidence of re-regulation, with some solder missing at muzzle and along rib. Bbls ring well. Action and locks retain a considerable amount, perhaps as much as 50% orig grayish case hardening color, which does not appear to have ever been very bright, as evidenced by same tone on water table and on protected parts of operating lever. Stocks retain nearly all of an old hand rubbed oil finish, over a number of light marks, checkering considerably worn, has not been re-cut. Bores are excellent, with some scattered very minor pitting at breech ends. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. New case is excellent with only a few light marks and some stains on exterior leather. Straps and handle are excellent. Interior cloth shows some light marks and compressions. Old label is fine with some compressions, rubs, and a small bit of a corner missing. Accessories are excellent, with one or two minor checks in ivory. This wonderful big bore rifle would probably make a great shooter. 49958-22 MGM92 (15,000-25,000)