October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
This big bore nitro rifle is strongly rumored "in the trade", to have been in production at Holland & Holland when they built the "Last" .600 nitro rifle for a client in 1975. No longer of any use to Holland's, it supposedly left as an unnumbered barreled action in the white. It was later proofed in London and finished by N. J. Makinson & Son of Howell, Michigan, for an American client. It was engraved by Adone T. Pozzobon of Toronto. The 26" chopper lump barrels are fitted with H&H style quarter rib holding large one standing leaf express rear sight and matching front ramp with large gold bead. A sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Barrel regulating wedges and blocks are of late Holland style. Tops of barrels are engraved "N. J. Makinson & Son Howell, Michigan" and ".600 Nitro Express 900 Grains". Barrel flats are stamped with 1991 London nitro proofs at 2860 bar. Serial number is stamped on loop. Robust coin finished sidelock action is fitted with "best" pinless back spring H&H type locks by York & Wallin. Action also features long top strap which extends over comb in classic H&H style, automatic safety (SAFE engraved on gold rectangle), hidden third fastener, disc set strikers, H&H style reinforce to sides of action, and double triggers (front articulated). Double beaded trigger guard tang extends to steel grip cap with trap. All metal parts are engraved with near full coverage truly exceptional semi-relief large open acanthus scroll with floral highlights in dark shaded background. This beautiful work extends to triangles on barrels, along top of quarter rib, and on transitions to mid rib, as well as front sight base. This scroll surrounds intricately detailed Bulino scenes of bull elephant on lockplates and on bottom of action. A pair of big tuskers in mountainous background are on right lock, one is "in your face", head high, trunk partially curled up. Bottom of action portrays a single large bull in scrub woodland. Another pair are in open savanna on left lockplate. The quality and artistry in these scenes is extremely fine, and almost photographic. The scene on left lockplate is truly extraordinary rivaling or exceeding the best work of any engraver in the world today. The bull in the foreground looks alive and you can almost see the blood coursing through the veins in his ears. Engravers signature, "T. Pozzobon" is on trigger plate. (Adone Pozzobon trained in Italy and proprietor of the Adone Galleries of Toronto.) Top of action is engraved "N. A. MAKINSON & SON" on riband around top lever pivot. Serial number is in gold on trigger guard tang. Intricately marbled and finely stump figured dark European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 7/8" over red Decelerator pad. Stock also features classic drop points, along with H&H type point pattern checkering at grip, and right hand shadow line cheekpiece. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. A mercury recoil reducer has been installed, improving balance. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Weight: 14 lbs 11 oz. Rifle is housed in best English brown oak and leather case with brass corners in brown canvas leather trimmed outer cover. Interior is lined in light burgundy cloth and has Holland & Holland gold embossed black leather label in lid. Rifle fits partitions quite snugly. Case contains 2 piece cocobolo and brass cleaning rod, bone striker bottle, one sling loop, H&H marked square oil bottle, and .577 snap caps. Also included are five .600 nitro express cartridges in Wenger brass loaded with 900 grain soft nosed bullets in old Kynoch red and yellow box. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining all of its fine finishes on wood and metal surfaces with some handling and assembly marks. Case is excellent, locking loops of latch have broken off. This rifle is noted and partially photographed in THE 600 NITRO EXPRESS by Cal Pappas on page 179, and is included in his database of known .600's with an estimated total of approximately 200 ever produced by all makers including all action types. This wonderful big bore balances and handles quite well. MGM 120
Item Dimensions: 32 - 1/2 x 10 x 3 - 1/2"
Drop at Comb
approx 1 - 7/8"
Drop at Heel
approx 2 - 5/8"
Length of Pull
14 -7/8" cast about 1/2" off