GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
VERY FINE PAIR OF HOLLAND & HOLLAND ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUNS WITH CASE, WITH NEW FACTORY EXTRA BARRELS AND REFURBISHING DONE IN 1980. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS ROYAL 23364/23363 12 GA MODERN; C&R (1904) Cal. 12 ga. 30" Orig dovetailed bbls have 2-1/2" chambers, and are fitted with specially ordered sunken game ribs. They are engraved "Holland & Holland 98 New Bond Street, London." on tops. The numbers "1" or "2" are gold inlaid on rear portions of ribs, and top levers, and are engraved on bosses for Anson releases on forend irons, as these guns are a true pair. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 2-1/2" chambers (nitro proof was not mandatory until 1904). 27" Bbls have matching ribs and top markings, but carry the "13 Button Street" address. Bbls are of dovetailed construction, and flats are marked with 1980 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. SNs are on each bbl set, and newer bbls are engraved "Griffin & Howe Inc New York NY" on bottoms of left bbls. Typical Royal sidelock actions are case hardened and feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and single non-selective triggers. They are somewhat unusual in that guns were never fitted with hand detachable locks. Actions and lockplates are engraved in typical Holland Royal house style with nicely cut varying sized open shaded scroll surrounding "Holland & Holland" in typical device on each lockplate. Bottoms of actions are engraved "Royal" "Hammerless" "Ejector". Trigger plate is engraved "Patent" "Single Trigger". Top levers are engraved "Patent" "Ejector". Blued small bow trigger guards have SNs engraved on short tangs. Well matched, nicely fiddle figured and lightly streaked European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 14-1/2" over checkered wood butts, and feature typical checkering on diamond grips, drop points, and gold ovals on toe lines, one engraved "S. P. R.", the other with this engraving mostly erased. Matching splinter forends featuring Holland''s "A.B" ejectors, have Anson releases. Gun no. "1": 30" BBLS: Bore diameter: left - .730, right -.730. Bore restrictions: left -.000 (cyl), right -.000 (cyl). Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.028. Drop at heel: 2-5/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". 27" BBLS: Bore diameter: left - .734, right -.731. Bore restrictions: left -.027 (IMod), right -.013 (Lt Mod). Wall thickness: left -.018, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-1/2", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Gun no. "2" 30" BBLS: Bore diameter: left - .731, right -.733. Bore restrictions: left -.008 (IC), right -.002 (Skeet). Wall thickness: left -.028, right -.021. Drop at heel: 2-9/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". 27" BBLS: Bore diameter: left - .731, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.024 (IMod), right -.011 (Lt Mod). Wall thickness: left -.021, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-9/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Guns are fitted in an old oak and leather Holland & Holland two-gun case with brass corners and leather and canvas outer cover. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth, and lid has gold embossed black leather Holland label, along with "A.B" ejector label, and a charge card numbered for guns 23551 and 23552. Case has Hollands typical folding divider, and contains two H&H marked oil bottles, four relatively new H&H marked snap caps, along with four vintage H&H patented horn bodied snap caps, a bone striker bottle, and two H&H marked horn handled turnscrews. Also included is a 2-pc brass and ebony cleaning rod with short handle, with some brushes, horn striker block, and an old jar of "HOLLANDS" "ANTI-RUST". New bbls are housed in brown leather two-gun motor case with stitched leather corners, lined in green cloth, with Holland black label and charge card, with notes "re-barreled by H&H in 1980". Case contains a 2-pc black composition and brass cleaning rod, round H&H marked oil bottle, cleaning brushes, and a bench cloth. PROVENANCE: Weapons history for both guns from H & H, giving specifications and confirming 1980 re-barrel. Copies of orig ledger pages. Copy of Invoice for purchase of guns from H&H. Correspondence regarding same. Consignors notes. Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert Hyatt. CONDITION: Excellent, as refurbished, retaining over 95% of new finishes, applied at time of re-barreling and restocking, with action, beads, and fences slightly silvered, and some light marks in stock finishes. 30" Bbls have some light marks and scratches. Wood of forends appears original, and have some factory repairs on sharp edges. New bbls are excellent, except one set has a considerable amount of flecking through blue from cleaned oxidation, where ones hand would normally be in front of forend. Bores are excellent. Actions are tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Triggers work. Case leather is very fine, slightly darkened, and with some water staining, as protected by it orig outer cover, which is in good condition, but showing its age with some cracking and deterioration of leather edging. Straps are good. Case handle is fine. Interior cloth is very fine with some slight insect damage to divider. Cloth renewed in lid. Holland leather label is distorted, and has some cracking. Paper label is foxed. Interior partitions are fine, refurbished, some cloth not well matched as to color. Accessories are very fine. Motor case is excellent, with some rubs. Straps are very fine. Interior is excellent. 49896-16 MGM43 (17,500-27,500)