GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
SUBLIME GOLDEN AGE HOLLAND & HOLLAND ROYAL DELUXE HAMMERLESS EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE IN .240 MAGNUM FLANGED NITRO EXPRESS MOST LIKELY MADE FOR HIS HIGHNESS SIR RANA RANJIT SINGHJI OF THE STATE OF BARWANI WITH CASE AND AMMUNITION.HOLLAND & HOLLANDSXS DBL RIFLE ROYAL DELUXE31040.240 FMMODERNCal. .240 FM (Made in 1927) This svelte little rifle has beautifully struck 25" chopper lump bbls fitted with file cut quarter rib with Holland''s classic cove molding transition to sunken mid rib, with front ramp mirroring transition. Quarter rib is fitted with one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight, having platinum lines. Standing leaf is marked for 50 and 200 yards, and folding leaf for 350 yards. Front ramp holds small silver bead with flip-up porcelain night bead. Tops of bbls are engraved "Holland & Holland" and "98. New Bond Street London." Mid rib is engraved ".240 Bore". Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 31-1/2 grains cordite and 100 grain bullet. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and left bbl with "H&H". A sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Slim, case hardened, back action sidelock (Brazier locks), Holland Royal action with reinforcing bolsters features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, hidden third fastener, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, detachable sidelocks, and dbl triggers. Engraving on Holland "Deluxe" guns is always unique, but follows a similar theme. Engraving on this gun is known as "Dragon Pattern" and depicts a panoply of mythical and actual scary beasts. Fences are wonderfully relief carved with stylized griffins with wings drooping toward bottoms. Lockplates each portray a griffin, newt, snake with forked tongue, and bear type animal with tongue extended. These beasties peer forth from a background of open shaded acanthus scroll. Bottom of action is engraved "ROYAL EJECTOR" which is flanked by a pair of sea monsters and has foliate scroll extending toward trigger plate with face of horned greenman. This engraving is well cut and nicely detailed. Blued top lever is engraved "Modele - de - Luxe". Sgl beaded trigger guard has another sea monster on bow and SN engraved in high relief on tang, which extends to steel grip cap with trap, engraved with another greenman (a spare front sight is in trap). Dark and dense, nicely marbled and lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over checkered wood butt, and is styled in classic H&H manner with right hand shadow line cheekpiece having broad flaring transition to shadow, point pattern flat top checkering with mullered borders at grip, concave border at rear, and classic drop points. There is a sling loop on toe line matching that on bbl, along with a gold oval engraved with a tiger rampant over a banner inscribed in Indian script. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Drop at heel: approx 3", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8" (Factory specs state 1-5/8" and 2-5/8". These are indeed the correct measurements without sights, as stocker measures bend from sight bases, not beads or blades). Weight: 8 lbs 2 oz. LOP: 14-1/8”. High quality leather case with brass corners is lined in scarlet cloth, and has gold embossed H&H black leather label in lid, as well as charge card for this rifle. It contains 3-pc aluminum and plastic Parker & Hale cleaning rod, with brush, mop, and jag, pair of ".240" marked snap caps, black morocco leather wallet with pull-through cleaner marked ".240", square oil bottle, nicely made leather carrying sling, and two H&H marked horn handled turnscrews with a matching striker key. Covered compartment holds two keys. Also included with rifle are two boxes of Holland''s .240 Magnum Flanged cartridges with Holland marked reddish orange labels. PROVENANCE: Correspondence between Mr. West and H & H regarding this rifle, and purchase of accessories. Copy of ledger page where it states orig client was "Barwani" most likely Sir Rana Ranjit Singhji (1894-1930), K.C.I.E. Bahadur of the state of Barwani of south central India. Wm. West Estate Collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain nearly all of a most likely factory re-black, all engraving remains sharp and clear. Action retains approx 90% orig case hardening colors, silvered on high points, giving fine definition to extensive engraving. Bottom of action is considerably silvered. Lockplates retain over 95% orig case hardening color. Lock takedown lever and thumbpiece of top lever are slightly silvered. Trigger guard is silvered on bead and at grip, retaining approx 80% orig blue. Stocks have received a light factory quality refinish with only a few exceptionally light handling marks, and some staining under finish on forend. Checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent, rifling sharp throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Rifle was originally fitted with bolted safety, bolt has been removed. Newer case is excellent, with only a few minor scuffs and rubs on exterior. Interior cloth has a few light compressions and soiling. Accessories are excellent, near new. Cartridge boxes are excellent, still sealed. Simply a wonderful rifle. 49479-2 MGM257 (40,000-70,000)