GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
VERY FINE HOLLAND & HOLLAND HEAVY PROOF ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR "CONTINENTAL PIGEON" SHOTGUN WITH CASE AND FACTORY LETTER.HOLLAND & HOLLANDSXS ROYAL EJECTOR2904312 GAW/CASE, ACCESSMODERN; C&R(1925) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. This special Holland Royal, made with hidden third fastener, side clips, and hinged front trigger, was listed in contemporary catalogs as a "special pigeon or waterfowl gun". These guns also normally had matted, flat ribs. Guns with this configuration by Holland & Holland are quite unusual. This example has 30" chopper lump bbls with low, concave, game rib, engraved "Holland & Holland." and "98 New Bond Street, London." on tops. Gun is one of a pair with the number "1" gold inlaid on scroll engraved portion at rear of rib, top lever, and forend tip. (Gun comes in two gun case. Charge card lists this gun and another, gun no. 29163, as a pair.) Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 1-1/4 oz shot. Robust, Royal sidelock action is stocked to the fences, and fitted with automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), aforementioned third fastener, side clips, and articulated front trigger, along with H & H patent detachable lock pin, and gold band tumbler end cocking indicators. Action and lockplates are engraved with classic H & H house style large, shaded scroll with acanthus highlights, having "Holland & Holland" engraved in scrolled device on each lockplate, and bottom of action with "Royal" "Hammerless" "Ejector". Blued top lever is engraved "Royal Ejector". Single beaded trigger guard with short tang is scroll engraved and has SN at grip. Well marbled and lightly fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/4" over black leather faced Silver type pad, and features diamond hand, drop points, classic flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a gold oval on toe line engraved "L. C. C". Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left-.731, right -.731. Bore restrictions: left -.016 (Lt Mod), right -.010 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.023, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2-5/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 6 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Makers oak and leather two gun case with brass corners and push button latch is embossed "L. C. C." on top. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth with gold embossed black leather Holland & Holland label in lid, along with charge card for this gun and its mate. Case contains 3-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod, snap caps, round oil bottle, horn striker bottle, 3 rosewood handled turnscrews, and some cleaning equipment and case straps. PROVENANCE: Factory letter and copy of ledger page, stating gun was completed 1925 for "Stebbins" as a "Continental model Pigeon gun" made to pair with "29163". Copies of shooting reports stating that gun was re-regulated in 1927, and again in 1931. Reproduction of 1920 catalog. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining approx 90% of what appears to be orig blue on bbls, but is most likely a high quality older re-blue. Action retains a considerable amount of its orig muted case hardening color, but is mostly pewter gray. Trigger guard with traces of blue is mostly silver. Stocks retain most of what is likely orig oil finish with numerous marks and rubs from normal handling and wear. Checkering is slightly worn and dirty. There are a few minor chips missing from sharp edges of forend toward tip, and incipient 1/4" crack behind top tang of action. Bores are excellent, smooth, bright, and shiny throughout, with one minor ping on bottom of left bbl, about 5" back from muzzle. A hint of looseness is felt with forend off. Action feels tight with forend in place. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case leather has splotches of darkening, slight crazing, and a number of rubs through top grain. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth has some minor insect damage, rubs and soiling. Label is fine, with some rubs through. Accessories are excellent. 53123-1 MGM33 (10,000-15,000)