GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
HOLLAND AND HOLLAND HAMMER EXPRESS RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS UNDERLEVER 7772 .500BPE (1883) Cal. 500 BPE. 28" Steel bbls have raised, full length rib, mounted with one standing, one folding express rear, and gold bead front, sight mounted in slightly ramped base. Bbls are engraved "Holland & Holland 98 New Bond Street, London." and "Winners of all the "Field" Rifle Trials. London 1883". Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and Birmingham black powder proofs. Round bodied Jones underlever receiver is fitted with peninsula back action locks with rebounding round bodied serpentine hammers. Action and lockplates have line border engraving with "Holland & Holland" on each lockplate. Hammers have stylized dolphin heads. Steel trigger guard has SN at grip. Lightly marbled and slightly figured red toned European walnut semi pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over broadly ribbed horn buttplate, and features an unusual starburst horn grip cap, point pattern checkering, vacant silver shield on toe line, and has been fitted with well done steel reinforcing plate wrapping from around top tang and extending to tops of lockplates in the manner of what are know as selous plates. Removal of right lock reveals this plate was installed to repair an old crack. Matching splinter forend has shaped steel tip and mounts to bbl with side nail through shaped steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-5/8", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Weight: 8 lbs. 5 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Old black lacquered heavy canvas case with leather trim and brass central medallion is painted "Surgn Major Stewart" in well done script on top. Case has zippered canvas outer cover. Interior is lined in green cloth with paper H & H label in lid, along with charge card for this particular rifle, inscribed with this rifles SN, giving instructions for loading. Case contains an array of period accessories including brass Rigby type rosewood handled bullet mold marked "Greenfield London .450" on one side (Mold actually casts .490 diameter bullet), other side is marked "H. Holland". With mold are two tip pins, one with rosewood handle for casting solid bullets, another with oak handle for casting hollow point bullets. There is also a German silver and ebony powder measure marked for 4-1/4 drams powder, a 500 marked pin type bullet fixer, 500 marked case sizer with rammer. Two pieces are marked in Sanskrit. Also included are 5 old Eley Brothers brass cases, and a number of bullets cast in supplied mold. Also included are two spare firing pins in newer cocobolo striker case, and top half of 2-pc brass cleaning rod with round ebony knob. There is also an envelope containing some paper patches. PROVENANCE: H&H weapon history stating it was completed Oct 8, 1883. Orig H&H invoice for this particular rifle including "old case", "mold", and "fittings" dated 1886, with tax stamp. Inventory of fittings in case for this rifle dated 1911. Auction listing and invoice. Copy of Holland ledger page. Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert Hyatt. CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain approx 70% orig blue, considerably faded and browned at normal carry points, with some scattered pitting, showing evidence of cleaning. Action and locks retain 30 - 50% orig case hardening color, fading to silver gray and brown. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig rubbed oil finish with numerous marks and dings. Forend has a minor chip at bbl channel, and a small portion of one escutcheon broken away on right side. Bores are excellent, with strong rifling throughout, with just a hint of frosting at breech end of right bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Reinforcing plate has been in place for a very long time, and was obviously very effective in repairing crack in stock, which still feels strong and does not flex. Case is chipped on edges with some corners fraying and opening, otherwise good. New handle is excellent. Straps are missing. Outer cover is good. Interior cloth is good, with considerable staining and rubs. Labels are foxed, Holland label is brown. Accessories are very fine. Mold has numerous marks from tapping. A neat old rifle that if able I''m sure would have some great tales to tell. A brief Google search finds a Surgeon Major A Stewart a member of the 14th Light Dragoons being promoted in 1859. 49896-25 MGM55 (6,000-9,000)