GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
ROBUST 8 BORE HAMMER "PARADOX" BY HOLLAND & HOLLAND WITH LOADING TOOLS AND MOLD IN TWO-TIERED OAK AND LEATHER CASE.HOLLAND & HOLLANDPARADOX HAMMER DBL RIFLE153008 BOREW/CASE, ACCESS(ca 1893) Cal. 8 bore. All "Paradox" guns are rare, and have become very desirable, but 8 bores are by far the rarest with only 69 being produced by the maker. The "Paradox" produced near double rifle accuracy with its specially designed bullet given its final spin by a rifled choke, but also allowing a fairly decent pattern while using shot. This large example regulated for 273 grains (10 drams) of powder could be used for the largest pachyderms on the planet. It has 26-1/4" steel bbls fitted with matted, quarter rib holding single standing leaf express sight. Sunken mid rib rises to form front ramp holding silver bead with flip-up night bead. Tops of bbls are engraved "Holland & Holland 98 New Bond Street London." and ""PARADOX"" "Fosbery Patent". Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 273 grains of powder. Heavy solid splinter is stamped with SN. Manufacturers number "H2672" is on bottom of right bbl. A wide sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Heavy round bodied Jones underlever action with top tang that extends over sloped comb, is fitted with peninsula back locks mounted with relatively short flat faced serpentine hammers with tall spurs. Action and locks are engraved with line and small scroll borders. "Holland & Holland" is on each lockplate. Left side of action is engraved "Charge 8 to 10 Drams Case 3-1/2 Inches". Very finely marbled dense European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over old, possibly orig, leather faced Silver pad. Flat top point pattern checkering is at grip, and right side has well carved shadow line cheekpiece. A vacant silver oval and sling loop, are on toe line which is also stamped with Kenya registration numbers. Matching splinter forend has front pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/4", drop at comb: approx 2". Weight: 15 lbs. 5 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Gun is housed in old oak and leather two tier case with brass corners and circular central medallion. Interior is lined in blue cloth, and has old H&H label in lid. Lift-out top tray contains loading and cleaning tools including 3-pc heavy ebony and brass cleaning rod with mop, brush, and jag, 8 bore chamber brush by Dixon, H&H marked round oil bottle, bone striker bottle, and two Hawksley marked horn handled turnscrews. Re-loading equipment includes large brass mold marked "Holland & Holland London 8 B Paradox" casting the correct type and size bullet for this gun. Mold is stamped with initials "JRM". Other tools include H&H marked fixer, 10 dram powder measure, Paradox regulator, unmarked brass and ebony wad funnel and rammer, as well as a JRM marked capper/ decapper with removable ebony handle. Gun is housed in bottom section which contains 9 heavy turned brass 8 bore cases, head stamped "H & H Paradox", along with some bullets and wads. CONDITION: Good, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a satin rust blue over numerous light marks. Action cleaned to silver gray with traces of silvered case hardening visible. Stocks refinished and retain essentially all of that finish with some light scratches and marks. Checkering nicely re-cut. Bores are very fine to excellent, lightly frosted at breech ends. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are very fine. Case leather is considerably darkened with numerous scuffs and rubs. Straps and handle are intact, but quite tender. Renewed interior cloth is excellent. Conserved label is lightly foxed with a rub through. Mold, regulator, and capper/ decapper are nicely aged. Other accessories are fine. 53202-1 mgm159 (30,000-50,000)