GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
VERY FINE HOLLAND & HOLLAND TOP LEVER HAMMER RIFLE WITH ORIGINAL HOLLAND PATENT SCOPE AND CASE. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS HAMMER RIFLE 12275 .360 BPE 2-1/4 (ca 1890) Cal. .360 BPE 2-1/4. 26" Dovetailed steel bbls have full length rib mounted with one standing, two nested leaf express rear sight with platinum lines, with standing leaf marked for 50 and 150 yards, and nested leaves marked for 200 and 250 yards. Central portion of rib is slightly swamped, and rises toward muzzle forming ramp for silver bead front sight. Portion behind express sight is file cut, and fitted with Holland patent scope bases. Tops of bbls are engraved with H&H New Bond Street London address on right, and "Field" rifle trial information on left. Bbl engraving is offset to sides making it legible with scope installed. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for .350. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN, and a sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Small sized, round bodied, case hardened, top lever action is fitted with rebounding peninsula back locks mounted with round bodied serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads. Action and locks are engraved with approx 70% coverage well cut scroll with some rose bouquet highlights. "Holland & Holland" is at the top of each lockplate. Blued trigger guard with scroll on bow, has SN on tang which extends to steel grip cap. Nicely fiddle figured and lightly marbled European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over serrated wood butt, and features classic right hand shadow line cheekpiece, point pattern checkering which wraps over top of grip, and a sling eye matching that on bbl, and a silver oval engraved with monogram "GLG" (?) on toe line. Matching splinter forend has Anson release. Rifle is accompanied by its orig H. Holland patent 2 X (?) scope with soldered on rings. This scope is similar to a scope designed by Col. Davidson and used in American Civil War. H. Holland patented his improvements in 1887 with adjustable crosshairs and focus, and spring loaded ocular lens with leather padded boss. This particular scope is marked with Holland & Holland name and address over "PATENT". Drop at heel: approx 2-5/8", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Weight with scope: 8 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Old leather case with riveted on brass corners is embossed with Old English style "S" at top center, and "30 SUPER" at right front. Case is lined in burgundy cloth and has large reproduction H&H paper label in lid. Case contains H&H marked horn handled turnscrew, two modern pewter oil bottles, case straps, broken case extractor, and a bone striker case containing scope mount parts. CONDITION: Very fine, original, as found. Bbls retain approx 60% orig blue, considerably thinned and silvered from normal hand wear on sides. Action and lockplates retain 50 - 60% of their orig case hardening color. Top lever is only slightly silvered on thumbpiece. Trigger guard retains approx 40% of its orig blue, with considerable loss due to flaking. Stocks retain most of their orig hand rubbed oil finish, with numerous light marks, and a few very deep scratches on either side toward butt. Checkering is slightly worn and grimy. Remainder of rifle has considerable congealed oil, and is in need of a good cleaning. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Scope is very fine, with some flecking and rust spots on its orig blue, considerable orig lacquer remains on brass parts. Leather padding of ocular has numerous scuffs. Detent for rear scope mount is disassembled, with rod and spring in striker bottle, retaining wheel is missing, but would not be difficult to fabricate. Optics are clouded and spotted, but crosshair still visible. Case leather is dark, and has a number of scuffs. Renewed interior cloth is excellent, as is reproduction label. Accessories are good. A good handling small rifle with exceptionally early use of telescopic sight. 49958-7 MGM77 (7,000-10,000)