GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
SCARCE PARADOX 12 BORE HOLLAND & HOLLAND ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR WITH UNUSUAL ENGRAVING AND ORIGINAL CASE WITH ACCESSORIES. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS PARADOX 15589 12 GA MODERN (ca 1902) Cal. 12 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. 28" Dovetailed bbls are fitted with file cut quarter rib mounting two folding leaf express sight marked for 50 and 100 yards. Central portion of rib is sunken, and rises to form slight front ramp holding silver bead sight. Tops of bbls are engraved "Holland & Holland 98. New Bond Street, London." and ""PARADOX"" "Fosbery Patent". Bbl flats are stamped with London proofs for "R. CHOKE" and 2-1/2" chambers, and also with London nitro re-proofs for 28 grains cordite and 750 grain bullet. Holland Royal sidelock action with long top strap that extends over comb, is fitted with automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Front trigger is checkered, and "loose" to avoid bumping ones finger when firing left bbl. Action is engraved with an unusual pattern for a Royal, with large scrolling strap work offset by various sized shaded open scroll. This pattern is seen on a few turn of the century Royals, and is quite pleasing. "Holland & Holland" is on each lockplate. Top lever is engraved "Patent Ejector", and bottom of action "Royal" "Hammerless" "Ejector". Blued top lever and trigger guard are also scroll engraved. SN is at grip. Nicely streaked, and lightly figured, dark and dense European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over 1/2" thick point pattern checkered hard rubber buttplate. Typical point pattern checkering is at grip, and a large vacant gold circle is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left - .732, right -.732. Bore restrictions: left -.040 (groove diameter is .715 mod?), right -.044 (Groove diameter is .715 mod?). Wall thickness: left -.027, right -.029. Drop at heel: 2-5/16", drop at comb: approx 1-9/16". Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Orig makers oak and leather case with brass corners and circular central medallion, is complete with its orig leather trimmed canvas outer cover, with central leather label embossed "H. S. M." Case is lined in scarlet cloth with gold embossed black leather H&H label in lid, along with paper instruction labels and charge card for this gun. Case contains a number of fine, what appear to be orig, accessories including 2-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod with short handle with mop and jag, pair of H&H marked horn bodied snap caps, two H&H marked horn handled turnscrews, horn handled chamber brush, bone striker bottle with spare strikers, two ebony handled brass shot and powder dippers, pull through cleaning kit in leather wallet, and a very fine crystal oil bottle with faceted top and pewter cap. PROVENANCE: Pamphlet of research done on this particular gun and its history by Roger Lake, containing targets, ledger pages (indicating it was owned by "Levetus"), and "weapon history". Guns International information sheet with this gun for sale. Obit for Lt. Arthur Levetus, Killed in Action in 1916. Invoice for work performed. Invoice for purchase of gun. Consignors notes. Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert Hyatt. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a London quality re-black, engraving a bit soft. Action and lockplates retain a considerable amount, perhaps 10 - 15% orig case hardening color. Top lever and trigger guard retain most of an old re-blue. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish, checkering re-cut. New buttplate is excellent. Bores are very fine, shiny, with one or two light streaks, and some scattered light pits in left bbl, and some scattered frosting in right. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is very fine with a number of marks and scuffs. Outer cover leather trim is a bit tattered. Dark canvas shows some deep rubs and is considerably darkened. Straps are good, except central strap is broken. Case handle appears to be an old replacement and is good. Interior cloth is fine with some slight areas of insect damage. Leather label is very fine to excellent. Paper labels are considerably foxed and soiled. Instruction label has a large area missing at left side. Interior partitions are excellent, and show areas of restoration and new blocking. Accessories are very fine. Royal hammerless Paradox guns are fairly scarce, as most Paradox production was of hammer guns. 49896-13 MGM52 (20,000-30,000)