GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
HOLLAND & HOLLAND .577 3" DOUBLE RIFLE MADE FOR THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD WITH CASE. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS DBL RIFLE 12178 577 BPE (ca 1889) Cal. .577 BPE. 26" Dovetailed steel bbls are fitted with full length flat rib with dolls head extension. Rear portion is file cut behind one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight. Standing leaf is marked for 50 and 100 yards, and folding leaves for 200 and 250. Slightly swamped central portion is inlaid in gold "Made Expressly For His Highness The Nizam of Hyderabad. Deccan." Front portion, forming slight ramp, holds silver bead with flip-up "moon" bead. Tops of bbls are engraved with H&H London address, and "Field" rifle trial information. There are 1/2" bands of acanthus engraving around breech ends, and top of dolls head is gold inlaid "3". Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for .577EX. SN is on large splinter with integral loop. A sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. "Climax" top lever action with hammerless back locks, has top strap which extends over comb. Fences are filed with interesting stops at top, which act to keep cartridges from slipping out of bbls when rifle is being carried open over one''s shoulder (?). Action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), raised bosses at tumbler ends for added strength, and dbl triggers. Action and lockplates are engraved in near full coverage exceptionally well cut, varying sized acanthus outline scroll with floral central whorls. "Holland & Holland" is in large swagged ribbon on each lockplate. Left side of action is engraved "Charge 6 Drams Case 3 Inches". "3" is inlaid in gold on top lever and doll''s head on bbl, and is engraved on trigger guard tang, which extends to steel grip cap. Dark and dense, well streaked and nicely figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over ribbed horn buttplate. Stock features classic right hand shadow line cheekpiece, typical point pattern checkering at grip, and a sling loop, matching that on bbl, as well as a vacant gold oval, on toe line. Matching splinter forend has Anson release.Drop at heel: approx 2-11/16", drop at comb: approx 1-11/16". Weight: 12 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". Old makers leather case has central round brass medallion and old label with Arabic markings on top. Interior is lined in royal blue cloth, and has large paper Holland & Holland label in lid, along with an old H&H instruction label for hammerless gun no. 11065, which has been struck out, with "Rifle" "no 3" and this rifles SN added in India ink a long time ago. "Charge" was changed to 6 drams. Rifle fits case well, and case contains 2-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod with 2 mops, jag, and turks head, old square tin of rangoon oil, bone striker bottle, high quality case hardened steel mainspring vise with Arabic engraving, 28 bore wad punch, wad rammers and tube, rectangular pewter H&H marked oil bottle, newly made high quality Davis type mold marked "Holland & Holland .577" and with this rifles SN. Covered compartment holds an H&H marked pin type bullet fixer, and 2 H&H marked horn handled turnscrews. PROVENANCE: Copy of factory ledger page with specifications. Copy of page from the Nizam''s armory inventory, where this item is listed as no. 56. CONDITION: Excellent, as reconditioned. Bbls retain 95% of a high quality rust blue over some pitting, and with some subsequent light marks, most noticeably a 3" patch of some variegated spotting on top of left bbl to rear of rear sight. Action retains over 90% of a muted color re-hardening. Top lever and trigger guard retain over 90% of well done re-blue, engraving picked up on trigger guard. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish, with a few light marks, checkering re-cut. Bores are excellent with strong, sharp rifling throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Case leather has many old dark spots, stains, and rubs. Newer straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is good, with many rubs and marks. Labels are somewhat soiled, foxed, and main label has some rubs through. Accessories are generally good. Newly made mold is excellent. 50073-1 MGM112 (25,000-35,000)