GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE HIGH GRADE HOLLAND & HOLLAND TOP LEVER HAMMER ROOK DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE. HOLLAND & HOLLAND SXS DBL RIFLE 14360 295/300 ROOK (1891) Cal. 295/ 300 Rook. Double barreled Rook rifles are exceptionally scarce, and Rook rifles of high quality with all "best" features, exceedingly so. This rifle is undoubtedly of "best" quality, and has 26" dovetailed steel bbls fitted with full length top rib holding one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight with platinum lines marked for 50, 100, and 150 yards. Rear portion of rib is file cut. Center portion is swamped, gradually rising through file cut transition, to front base holding silver bead. H&H New Bond Street address and London "FIELD" rifle trial information is engraved on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for .290. SN is on bottoms of bbls. Diminutive round bodied top lever action is fitted with peninsula back locks with round bodied serpentine rebounding hammers, with stylized dolphins heads. Action is engraved in "best" style with 80% coverage exceptionally well cut open shaded scroll. Lockplates and hammers have near full coverage of matching scroll with "Holland & Holland" in scroll flanked device on each lockplate. Trigger guard with scroll on bow, has SN relief engraved on tang, which extends to engraved steel grip cap. Broadly streaked and lightly fiddle figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over coarsely checkered horn buttplate, and features classic shadow line right hand cheekpiece, flat top point pattern checkering, and a vacant silver oval on toe line. Matching splinter forend has Anson release. Drop at heel: approx 2-5/16", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Weight: 6 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Old leather case with central brass medallion engraved "E. Jones." "Liverpool" is also embossed "J. G. D" on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth with large paper H&H label in lid. Case contains two H&H marked horn handled turnscrews, H&H marked round oil bottle, an unmarked small round oil bottle, 3-pc brass cleaning rod with ebony handle, leather wallet with cleaning brushes, bone striker bottle, and 50 round box of .295 Rook rifle cartridges by Kynoch, as well as the key. PROVENANCE: Copy of orig ledger page with specifications, and copy of invoice for the purchase of this rifle from Griffin & Howe in 1987. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a fine quality re-black, engraving slightly softened. Action and locks retain approx 30% orig case hardening color, percentage difficult to ascertain because of extensive engraving and accumulated oil and grime. Trigger guard retains traces of its orig blue on bow. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be orig finish with oil added over the years as maintenance, with a number of light marks and dings. Checkering somewhat worn and filled. Bores are fine, with strong rifling, somewhat pitted toward breech ends, with some light frosting, mostly in right bbl. Action has a hint of looseness, and bbls are very slightly off face. Locks are crisp. Case leather is very dark with a number of scuffs and marks. Older replaced straps are good. Orig handle is good, but stitching tired. Renewed interior cloth is excellent, as is reproduction label. Accessories are fine. 49958-6 MGM72 (8,000-12,000)