GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
HOLLAND & HOLLAND HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE WITH FINE CASE AND IVORY HANDLED ACCESSORIES. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS HAMMER RIFLE 7656 .577 BPE IVORY (July 1883) Cal. .577 3" BPE. 26-3/16" Dovetailed steel bbls with dolls head extension, are engraved with H&H 98 New Bond Street address, and "Field" rifle trial information on full length rib, rear portion file cut. Bbls are fitted with one standing, three folding leaf express rear sight; standing leaf marked for 50 and 150 yards, with leaves for 200, 300, and 400. A small silver bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 25 bore. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. A sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. It is interesting to note that this early rifle has steel bbls, yet the ribs are Damascus. Round bodied, Jones underlever action with top strap which extends over comb, is fitted with non-rebounding, peninsula back locks, mounted with round bodied, short, serpentine hammers with tall spurs. Action is engraved with 80% coverage rose and scroll. "Holland & Holland" is on each lockplate. Left side of action is engraved "Charge 6 Drams Case 3 Inches". SN is on trigger guard tang which extends to engraved steel grip cap. Nicely marbled European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-15/16" over Silver type pad with spur, and features shadow line right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering at grip, with a vacant silver oval, and sling eye, on toe line. Matching splinter forend has pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 2-7/8", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Weight: 11 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-15/16". Finely made oak and dark brown leather case with shaped brass corners and circular central medallion, is lined in royal purple cloth, with reproduction H&H paper label in lid. Case contains an old brass mold by Greenfield casting a .577 diameter conical bullet with three grooves, with matching "fixer" and "adjusting wheel", as well as new brass snap caps, and two square oil bottles. "Certifiable pre-ban elephant ivory" handled accessories include: pair of turnscrews, powder dipper, striker key, handle for chamber brush, as well as handle for 3-pc brass cleaning rod. Other ivory items include: dusting brush and striker case with spare strikers for hammerless shotgun. Ivory was sourced from a large legally hunted tusk supplied to the case maker by the consignor. Also included is a cardboard box containing four tins of Berdan primers, H&H marked jar of rangoon jelly, tin of H&H "Nevarust", another tin of rangoon oil, cleaning patches, and a bench cloth. PROVENANCE: Copy of H&H ledger page stating rifle was made for D. J. Hanbury in 1883, and confirming specifications. CONDITION: Very good, as mostly refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a good quality rust blue over some scattered light pitting, engraving remains clear. There is a 3/8" long deep ding on side of right bbl about 10" back from muzzle. Action and locks retain traces of orig case hardening color where protected, but are mostly silver to gray. Stocks retain nearly all of an old hand rubbed oil finish, wood somewhat below metal, checkering re-cut. Bores are very fine with scattered light pitting throughout, mostly in right bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Case leather is excellent, with some light marks and spotting. Straps and handle are excellent, as are interior cloth and label. Old mold and fixer are fine. Ivory handled implements are excellent. 49958-10 MGM98 (8,000-12,000)