GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
LOVELY OLD HOLLAND & HOLLAND "ROYAL" HAMMERLESS EJECTOR LIGHT GAME SHOTGUN MADE FOR RUSSIAN PRINCE SERGEI BELOSSELSKY WITH ORIGINAL TWO-GUN CASE AND CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE.HOLLAND & HOLLANDSxS ROYAL HAMMERLES2263912GAW/CASE & AMMO BOXMODERN; C&R(1900) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 30" Dovetailed bbls fitted with swamped game rib are engraved "Holland & Holland" "98. New Bond Street, London." on tops. Rear portion of rib is inlaid "1" in gold. This gun was number "1" of a pair, with "1" also gold inlaid on top lever, and engraved on inside of forend iron. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. SNs are stamped on bottoms of bbls. Case hardened "Royal" sidelock action is stocked to the fences and features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. This gun predates Holland's hand detachable lock system, and has not been retrofitted. Action and locks are engraved with superbly cut and shaded varying sized open scroll in what was to become Holland's "house style". "Holland & Holland" is in now classic arched device on each lockplate. Bottom of action is engraved "Royal" "Hammerless" "Ejector". Fences are more deeply engraved with matching scroll having floral terminations and strapwork highlights. Blued top lever is engraved "Patent Ejector", and trigger guard with open scroll on bow has SN on tang. Very nicely marbled and attractively fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15-3/8" over leather covered Silver type pad. Stock also features typical drop points, classic point pattern checkering on diamond hand, and a gold oval on toe line engraved "V.K." Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.729, right - .730. Bore restrictions: left - .002 (cyl), right - .001 (cyl). (Factory ledger page indicates that this is the orig choke configuration for these bbls. Both are listed as "good cyl.") Wall thickness: left - .026, right - .024. Drop at heel: 2-13/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast about 1/2" off. Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 15-3/8". Orig oak and leather 2-gun case with brass corners and central medallion, is lined in blue cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Holland & Holland label in lid, along with orig charge card for the pair of guns and information card pertaining to ejectors. Bottom compartment is separated by a hinged dust cover. Also included is an oak and leather brass bound ammunition magazine with space for approx 600 shot shells. Brass oval screwed to top is engraved "Prince S Belosselsky Krestofsky St. Petersbourg." Orig factory ledger indicates that this gun was made for "Belloselsky". PROVENANCE: Copy of ledger page confirming orig specifications, and that this gun was originally choked cylinder and cylinder. Digital scans of old family photographs showing Prince Belloselsky using this gun in the company of Tsar Nicholas II. This gun was consigned by the husband of the original owners granddaughter. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a well done rust re-blue over light marks. Engraving remains clear. Action retains approx 30% orig case hardening color, strong where protected, pleasingly silvered on normal wear points. Lockplates retain approx 80% orig color, left lock possibly somewhat stronger. Top lever has silver highlights, silvered on thumbpiece. Trigger guard retains 15 - 20% blue, mostly on bow. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish over some light marks, and with a few subsequent marks, checkering competently re-cut. There is a repaired 5/8" crack behind left lockplate, and another small crack behind top tang, both appear to be stable. 1/2" x 1-1/2" replacement piece has been set into left side of forend near tip. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Safety button is sluggish (needs lubrication). Case leather is good, with numerous bumps and marks, and there are 4 tape marks around center. Orig straps and handle are good. Key lock escutcheon is missing a screw. Interior cloth is good with some insect damage. Labels are fine. Bottom section has detached partitions and glued-in green cloth repairs are in some areas. Cartridge magazine is very good. Interior missing four partitions. 52559-1 MGM271 (10,000-20,000)