October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Every year the Game Conservancy, now the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, has a raffle for a day's driven shoot and a pair of guns. In 1979 they commissioned this pair from Holland & Holland. They have 28" chopper lump barrels with swamped game ribs, rear portions gold inlaid "1"and "2" which also appear on top levers and forend tips. Tops of barrels are engraved "Holland & Holland" and "13 Bruton Street, London." Barrel flats are stamped with 1978 London nitro proofs for 2 - 3/4" chambers. Barrels are fitted with H&H type self-opening assist spring mechanisms. Coin finished sidelock "Royal" actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, hand detachable locks, and double triggers. Actions and lockplates are engraved in "Deluxe" style with full coverage superbly cut and nicely shaded large open semi relief scroll with acanthus finials and highlights. "Holland & Holland" and "London. England" are on each side of action. Bottoms of actions are engraved with more fine scroll surrounding Game Conservancy logo of a grouse standing over three fleur-di-lis. "The Game Conservancy" is in arched banner over logo, and "1979" is on strap work below. Single beaded trigger guards have matching scroll, serial numbers are in gold on tangs. Engravers signature "Casbard" is across trigger plates where mostly obscured by trigger guard bows. (Jeffrey Casbard apprenticed under Harry Kell and Ken Hunt, and remained at Purdeys until 1970, at which time he went freelance; later primarily associated with Holland & Holland) Finely matched well marbled and somewhat figured dark European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 15" over checkered wood butts. Stocks are classically styled with drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders on diamond hands, and vacant gold ovals on bottoms. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Guns are housed in their original high quality brown leather two gun motor case with stitched leather corners. Case is lined in dark green cloth, and has gold embossed black leather H&H label in lid. Case contains cleaning equipment. CONDITION: Excellent, very close to new, with only a few very light handling marks in all wood and metal surfaces. Marks most noticeable are a 3/16" rub through finish on right rear of butt "2" which has been darkened by added oil. Mechanically excellent. Case is excellent inside and out. A truly fine pair of guns, they could not be replaced today for less than $200,000.00. Or perhaps a 50 pound lottery ticket. MGM 185
Item Dimensions: 30 x 7 x 7"
Barrel Wall Thickness
1) L .032 R .032 2) L .032 R .032
Choke
1) L .036 (full) R .017 (mod) 2) L .038 (full) R .023 (mod)
Drop at Comb
1) 1-3/8" 2) 1 - 3/8"
Drop at Heel
1) 2 - 1/8" 2) 2 - 1/8"
Internal Bore Diameter
1) L .726 R .729 2) L .728 R .728
Length Of Pull
15" cast about 1/4" off
Serial Number
40369 & 40370
Weight
1) 6 lbs 9 oz 2) 6 lbs 9 oz