November 18, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2020
Circa 1934. A vintage pair of pigeon guns with 30" chopper lump barrels with steel bead front sight on a tapered file cut concave game rib, stippled at breech with a gold inlaid "1" and "2", respectively. Right barrels reads "HOLLAND & HOLLAND" and left barrels reads "98. NEW BOND STREET, LONDON". Barrels were sleeved and reproofed in 1975 and 1981, respectively, with Birmingham proofs for 12 bore 2 - 3/4" chambered, choke barrels, old London proofs visible but serrated out. Flashes of original proofs visible on underside of barrels but soft. Sidelock ejector actions with hidden third fasteners (Treble Grip), Holland and Holland patent self-opening system. Action flats with serial number, London and Birmingham proof marks, and Holland and Holland patent date for Royal self-opening system. Well executed flowing acanthus engraving, gun (A) with numerous pigeons throughout while gun (B) has numerous mallards, Holland & Holland in a ribbon on both lockplates. Gold line cocking indicators. Holland and Holland patent hand detachment lever. Non-auto safes. Trigger guards with rolled right edges and single mechanical triggers. Classic drop points behind lockplates. Smokey figured English walnut stocks with straight hand grips checkered in point pattern. Later stock ovals at toe line, just behind checkering. Leather covered recoil pads. Splinter forends with Anson push button style release, checkered in point pattern, release engraved in flowing florals with gold inlaid "1" and "2". Housed in a Holland and Holland double oak and leather luggage case with brass corners, "JG" stamped on lid. Interior with Holland and Holland case label in lid, and partitioned to fit guns and accessories. Accessories comprise of 2 pairs of nickel plated snap caps, cleaning rod, brush, and a round nickel oil bottle. CONDITION: Good. Barrels, reblacked at time of sleeving. Gun (A) has a few spots of golden staining from dried oil. A few handling marks on barrel including contact from forend, still retaining 95% black. Stocks on (A) have been refinished and top tang is slightly proud to wood with breech pin no longer true. Some handling marks on stock. Bores are very good with some minute freckling towards muzzle. Barrel set (B) with 95% blackening, reblacked at time of sleeving. Forend with handling marks. Buttstock with handling marks and one long scratch on right side of butt. Stock ovals with evidence of recent installation. Recoil pads crystallized. Engraving attractive, action possibly polished. Bores are very good. Ejectors on (A) are timed well, gun (B) left ejector fires first. Case with some scuffs and rubs on exterior, and some rubs to interior. Accessories are fine. A great pair for bird shooting, with appropriate engraving to boot! CP
Item Dimensions: 34" x 16" x 5"
Barrel Wall Thickness
(A/1) (L) .031 (R) .035 (B/2) (L) .034 (R) .035
Choke
(A/1) (L) .025 (Imp Mod) (R) .012 (Imp. Cyl) (B/2) (L) .021 (Mod) (R) .013 (Imp Cyl)
Drop at Comb
(BOTH) 1 - 1/2"
Drop at Heel
(BOTH) 2 - 1/8"
Internal Bore Diameter
(A/1) (L) .733 (R) .730 (B/2) (BOTH) .728
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Holland & Holland
Weight
(A/1) 7 lbs 4 oz (B/2) 7 lbs 6 oz
Serial Number
(A) 32776 (B) 32777