GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
STUNNING CUSTOM ORDERED PAIR OF GRIFNEE ENGRAVED HOLLAND & HOLLAND ROYAL DELUXE SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS WITH CASE.HOLLAND & HOLLANDPR GRIFNEE ROYAL DELUXESIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS40964/ 4096512 GA.MODERNCal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 28" Beautifully struck chopper lump bbls are engraved "Model de Luxe" on swamped concave game ribs. Rear portions are gold inlaid with nos. "1" and "2", which also appear on top levers and forend tips. Tops of bbls are engraved with makers name and 33 Bruton Street address. Bbl flats are stamped with 1988 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and discrete importers name and address (Armes de Chasse) in very small letters. Bbls are fitted with H&H patented self-opening assist springs. Case hardened Holland & Holland Royal sidelock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE engraved on gold rectangles), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, self detaching sidelock levers, and double triggers. Actions are classically filed with beads and fillets. Actions and lockplates are fully engraved with an interesting and unique semi-relief melange of large open scrolling poppy foliage terminating in blossoms. "Holland & Holland" is deeply engraved on scroll terminated ribands on each side of actions. Backgrounds are nicely shaded, and workmanship is of the highest order, as executed by renowned master engraver, Philippe Grifnee, now deceased. His signature appears on trigger plates. Single beaded blued trigger guards with matching poppies have SNs gold inlaid at grips. Perfectly matched, beautifully marbled and broadly figured flesh-toned European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 15-3/8" over checkered wood butts. Stocks feature diamond hands, drop points, classic point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and gold ovals on toe lines engraved "JHI". Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. "1": Bore diameter: left -.726, right -.726. Bore restrictions: left -.037 (full), right -.028 (Imod). Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz. LOP: 15-3/8”. Gun no. "2": Bore diameter: left -.726, right -.726. Bore restrictions: left -.037 (full), right -.028 (Imod). Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz. LOP: 15-3/8”. This wonderful pair of guns are housed in their fine dark brown leather motor case with brass corners and canvas outer cover with "JHI" on leather patch on front, having dark brown leather trim. Interior is lined with dark green cloth and has gold embossed burgundy leather H&H label in lid. Case contains the usual complement of cleaning equipment and other accessories which have never been unwrapped, along with a H&H bench cloth. CONDITION: Essentially as new, appear to be unfired since proof, with only the faintest of light handling marks on wood and metal, including some assembly and disassembly marks, and extractor wipe marks on breechfaces. Mechanically crisp. Case is also near new with only a few light marks on interior from contact with guns. Canvas cover is excellent, slightly faded, with some light marks. An exquisite, perfectly matched pair of London best guns, which would cost in excess of $250,000.00 today if they could be replicated. 49052-3 MGM28 (85,000-125,000)