December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Per "Holland & Holland: The Royal Gunmaker" by Dallas, this serial number is circa 1880, when the firm was still H. Holland. This revolver was obviously special ordered by someone of means, with a royal monogram on grips, loading rod, turnscrew, and embossed on the lid. The monogram is a crown over an inverted "B" with an interwoven floral device; research has been unable to determine an exact owner, but the crown appears very similar to the crowns used in the monogram of the Princes of the Holy Roman Empire and other German principalities. This is the standard configuration of a big bore Tranter with blade front sight, notch rear sight, swing open loading gate, and Tranter's Patent cylinder axle pin. Unusual floating firing pin is installed in the frame and articulated by the hammer. The frame and trigger guard are gold washed with well-cut thin acanthus scroll with interspersed florals, on a shaded background. Cylinder is gold washed with a roped border and engraved vignettes of florals. Fire-blued hammer, trigger, and axle catch. Octagonal barrel with English high polish bluing, engraved with acanthus floral scroll on flats with are dressed with line borders, and inlaid in gold on the top flat "H. Holland 98 New Bond St London", with flanking florals on flats. Grip is one piece of ivory with monogram along spine, grip cap is gold-washed and engraved en suite with frame. Housed in a custom-made P&F Schafer leather wrapped case with cypher embossed on lid and French fitted to hold gun and accessories comprising a turnscrew with gilt blade and ivory handle with monogram, loading rod with screw head and ivory handle, also monogramed, a cartridge block for 36 cartridges, 12 fired shells present, a gold washed wrench for firing pin, and a triangular compartment with key and a small pouch with springs. CONDITION: Very good, especially considering age. Frame has the majority, approximately 70-80%, original gilt with crisp engraving. Some losses and rubs from age, and some scattered flaking. Some raised oxidation on knuckle. Barrel with the vast majority of the bluing, approximately 90%, with areas of loss on bottom left flat, with superficial scratches throughout. Trigger guard and grip cap with a smooth gunmetal grey appearance, some gilt retained in engraving cuts. Mechanically fine, bore is excellent with strong rifling and scattered oxidation. Case is very good with some normal handling marks and age related distress. Interior is very good with some rubs through baize, most noticeable at hammer. This is an outstanding set.
Item Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 3"