GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
SUPERB 20 GAUGE HOLLAND & HOLLAND "ROYAL DELUXE" SHOTGUN WITH SPECIAL ENGRAVING BY KEITH THOMAS WITH CASE.HOLLAND & HOLLANDSxS ROYAL4015420GAMODERN(ca 1973) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 26" Chopper lump bbls fitted with deeply swamped game rib are engraved "Holland & Holland 13, Bruton Street. London." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with 1974 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. Bbls are fitted with H&H patent self opening assist spring mechanism. Small sized coin finished "Royal" sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, H&H patent hand detachable locks, and single non-selective trigger. Action and lockplates are engraved with full coverage well cut, attractive, large, scrolling acanthus with strap work highlights and dark shaded background. "Holland & Holland" "London - England" is on each side of action above and below lockplates. Bottom of action is also engraved "Holland & Holland London England" in scroll flanked oval device. Engravers signature, "K Thomas" is on trigger plate under front of guard bow. (Keith Thomas worked at Holland & Holland between 1969, when he completed his apprenticeship, and 1977 when he went freelance. He has a particular interest in 18th century styles.) Single beaded small bow trigger guard with more scrolling acanthus on bow, has SN in gold on short tang. Wonderfully fiddle figured and nicely marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15-3/8" over checkered wood butt and features classic drop points, diamond hand with point pattern checkering, and a vacant gold oval on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.614, right - .612. Bore restrictions: left - .015 (mod), right - .006 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .025, right - .026. Drop at heel: 2-5/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: neutral. Weight: 5 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 15-3/8". Makers dark leather case with stitched leather corners is lined in green cloth and has gold embossed H&H label in lid. Case contains H&H marked round oil bottle and snap caps, bench cloth, unmarked striker bottle with spare strikers, trigger lock, and 2-pc cleaning rod (still in its orig tissue wrap), with mop, brush, and jag. Also included is an H&H marked leather hand guard and the keys. CONDITION: Excellent, with evidence of little field use, with a few light marks in all fine finishes of wood and metal, with relatively faint firing marks on breechface. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Trigger is a bit balky, probably in need of some lubrication, as blade needs to be assisted forward or abruptly released to set up for second shot. Case is excellent. Accessories are near new. 51033-10 MGM290 (30,000-60,000)