GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
FINE CASED PAIR OF 16 GAUGE HOLLAND & HOLLAND "ROYAL" HAMMERLESS EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME SHOTGUNS ONCE THE PROPERTY OF MARY MILLICENT ABIGAIL ROGERS, SOCIALITE, FASHION ICON, AND ART COLLECTOR.HOLLAND & HOLLANDSXS ROYAL30573/ 3057416CASEMODERN; C&R(ca 1922) Cal. 16 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. 28" Chopper lump bbls with swamped game ribs are engraved "Holland & Holland" "98 New Bond Street, London." on tops. Breech ends of ribs are gold inlaid "1" or "2" with matching numbers on top levers, and forend tips. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. Case hardened "Royal" actions are stocked to the fences and feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, H&H patent hand detachable locks by Brazier, and single non-selective H&H triggers. Actions are engraved in unusual pattern of near full coverage large varying sized open shaded scrolling acanthus with floral highlights. "Holland & Holland" instead of being in its normal device at center of locks, is surrounded by scroll at bottoms toward fronts. Fences are engraved with stylized shells. "Royal" "Hammerless" "Ejector" is on bottom of each action in unusual scroll surrounded geometric devices. Trigger plates are engraved "HOLLAND'S" "SINGLE TRIGGER". Small bow, single beaded blued trigger guards have open scroll on bows, and SNs on short tangs. Lightly streaked and figured European walnut straight grip buttstocks with classic drop points and point pattern checkering on diamond hands, measure 14-3/4" over checkered wood butts on 1-3/4" lengthening pieces. There are two gold ovals on toe lines, one set engraved "M. M. R" matching initials on case, and the other set engraved "P. P. R". Matching splinter ejector AB ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. "1": Bore diameter: left -.664, right - .665. Bore restrictions: left - .014 (mod), right - .011 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left - .029, right - .025. Drop at heel: 2-3/4", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: approx 1/4 off. Weight: 5 lbs. 15 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Gun "2": Bore diameter: left -.664, right - .663. Bore restrictions: left - .015 (mod), right - .005 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .026, right - .026. Drop at heel: 2-3/4"-, drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: approx 1/8 off. Weight: 5 lbs. 15oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Makers orig leather 2 gun case is embossed "M. M. Rogers" on top. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth and has gold embossed H&H label in lid, and orig charge card for this particular pair of guns. Case contains bone striker bottle and two pairs of H&H marked snap caps. PROVENANCE: Wikipedia information on the life of Mary Millicent Abigail Rogers. CONDITION: Excellent, mostly original. Bbls retain approx 95% orig blue with quite a number of light marks and scratches, mostly toward breech ends. Actions retain approx 90% orig case hardening color, silvered on fences and beads. Lockplates retain nearly all of their orig color. Finish on gun "1" is at the lower end of the scale, and shows considerably more wear than gun "2". Top levers are silvered a bit on thumbpieces. Blue on trigger guards is silvering on beads and edges, thinning at grips. Stocks retain most of their orig oil finish. Butts are partially refinished with new oil added at time of addition of lengthening pieces, which are painted in to match fairly well. Bores are excellent. Actions are tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time on gun "1", trigger works well. Gun "2" trigger will not set up for second shot, undoubtedly needs cleaning, as guns have been in storage for a long time. Case leather is darkening, has some water stains, numerous rubs, with some tape marks and paint. Interior cloth is good, some soiling. Label is very fine. Charge card is soiled and foxed. Partitions have been altered to allow for lengthening pieces. 53013-1 mgm171 (25,000-35,000)