GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
CASED PAIR OF HOLLAND & HOLLAND ROYAL BREVIS GAME GUNS WITH CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE.HOLLAND & HOLLANDROYAL BREVIS GAME GUNS30970/ 3097112 GA.MODERN(ca 1926) Cal. 12 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. These guns have 25" chopper lump bbls; undoubtedly inspired by the large following attained by Robert Churchill and his XXV gun. (These short barreled guns were not dubbed "Royal Brevis" until after 1931, when all Holland Royals with bbls 28" or less were referred to by this name.) The bbls of this matched pair, with nos "1" and "2" gold inlaid on rear of ribs, top levers, and forend tips, are engraved "Holland & Holland." and "98 New Bond Street, London" on tops of each bbl set. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers, and bbls are fitted with 1922 patent self-opening assist spring. Typical H & H Royal actions are stocked to the fences and feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, double triggers, and H & H patent hand detachable locks. Actions and lockplates are engraved with classic H & H house style large, shaded, open scroll with acanthus highlights. "Holland & Holland" is in arched scroll flanked device at the center of each lockplate. Bottoms of actions are engraved "ROYAL" "SELF-OPENER" and "PATENT 1922"; top levers "ROYAL EJECTOR". Lightly figured and nicely streaked European walnut straight grip buttstocks feature diamond hands, drop points, typical point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and gold ovals on toe lines. Gun no. "1" has oval engraved "F. S. C" and has unusual rubber faced foam rubber pad, while gun no. "2" has vacant oval and checkered wood butt. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. "1": Bore diameter: left-.732, right -.732. Bore restrictions: left -.006 (IC), right -.007 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.024, right -.028. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 6 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-5/8". Gun no. "2": Bore diameter: left-.734, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.009 (IC), right -.003 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.022, right -.023. Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 5 oz. LOP: 13-9/16". Original makers oak and leather two gun case with brass corners and push button lock, is embossed "F. S. C." on top. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth with gold embossed H & H label in lid, along with charge card for these particular guns, and H & H notice regarding extractors. Case contains H & H marked round pewter oil bottle, two pairs of Holland marked snap caps, a bone striker case containing four strikers, marked "30770, 30771 spare strikers", and a nickel-plated tweezer-type broken case extractor. Also included is an oak and leather 16" x 12" cartridge magazine with brass corners. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth, having Holland & Holland gold embossed black leather label, with five compartments for cartridges. PROVENANCE: Bureau of Customs Certificates of Registration. CONDITION: As found. Gun no. "1": Excellent. Bbls retain 95% orig black, slightly thinned at normal carry area. Action and lockplates retain most of their muted orig case hardening color. Orig blue of top lever and trigger guard, is silvering at normal areas of wear. Pad is petrified. Stocks retain nearly all their orig finish with some minor marks and scratches from normal use. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny, but with areas of what appears to be spots of congealed oil, mostly on top of right bore. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Gun no. "2": Excellent, as refurbished. Bbls retain nearly all of an excellent quality re-black. Action and lockplates coin finished and starting to oxidize, mostly on bottom. Forend iron, top lever, and trigger guard re-blued, and retain nearly all of that blue. Buttstock is a new well done replacement. (Tag affixed to trigger guard states "restock exactly the same meas. wood to match no 1 gun".) Stock retains nearly all of its orig finish, is considerably lighter in color than gun no. "1", and checkering is sharp. Otherwise shaping and inletting is of factory quality. There are some patches of wax paper adhering to stock near butt. Forend retains its orig finish and has 1" x 1/8" piece missing from left front edge. Bores are excellent, smooth, bright, and shiny. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are slightly out of time. Case leather is still light in color with some areas of rubbing and scratches. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth has some minor insect damage and numerous rubs (some rubbed through) and some soiling. Partitions have been moved and are loose, with some pieces of blocking separated. Accessories are fine. Cartridge magazine leather has darkened, and has some rubs. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth has considerable insect damage and mildew. 49316-1 MGM33 (15,000-25,000)
TO BE SOLD W/49586