*HOLLAND & HOLLAND WOODWARD PATENT SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK RIFLE IN .465 NITRO, BUILT FOR NASRULLA KHAN, THE ONLY HOLLAND SINGLE SHOT MADE IN THIS CALIBER.

SN 26058. Cal. .465 Nitro Express. This fine single shot, built on the revered Holland & Woodward patent third variation action, is the only single shot dropping block in the H&H records in this caliber. Records indicate that it was shot and regulated in July 1907, and was built for Nasrulla Khan, Prince of Afghanistan. Over 22 of these smooth operating single shots were built in 500/450 Nitro, between 1900 and 1906, when the 450 caliber was banned in India and the Sudan. Holland & Holland merely increased the caliber to .465 and dubbed the new cartridge “.465 India”. This rifle has 26″ heavy weight tapered round bbl fitted with file cut island base for one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight; standing leaf is marked for 100 yards, leaves are marked for 200 and 300 yards. Front ramp holds silver bead front sight and flip-up night sight and retains its orig sight protector. A sling loop is soldered to bottom of bbl. Top of bbl is engraved with H&H 98 New Bond Street address and “Field” rifle trial information, as well as “Velopex Patent”. (The Velopex bullet was a specialty of Hollands. It consisted of a compound core encased in a nickel jacket. The aluminum front section was lighter than the lead base, allowing the bullet to be manufactured to the same length as a standard bullet, yet weight considerably less allowing for increased velocity. Velopex bullets in .465 weighed 365 grains, and were used in shooting the famous seven consecutive shot 100 yard group that “all would have struck a postage stamp” (used in Holland’s advertisement), and had a muzzle velocity of 2282 FPS vs the 2141 of .480 grain bullet.) This rifle is proofed for 70 grains of cordite and the .480 grain bullet. Case hardened Woodward patent dropping block action noted for its smoothness of operation and fine workmanship, features non-automatic tang safety (SAFE inlaid in gold) and firing mechanism which is hand detachable with removal of pin with lever on right side of action. Action is engraved with 60% coverage exceptionally well cut varying sized scroll within line borders. “Holland & Holland” is in central oval on each side. Blued operating lever and firing mechanism housing have matching scroll engraving. SN is on tang of housing. Lightly streaked European walnut steel trap capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over Silver pad (factory record indicates “recoil heel plate”) and features classic H&H styling with right hand shadow line cheekpiece, point pattern checkering, and a vacant gold oval, along with sling loop matching that on bbl, on toe line. Matching long splinter forend with horn tip attaches to bbl with screw through engraved steel lozenge. Drop at heel: approx 2-7/8″, drop at comb: approx 1-15/16″. Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Factory cover letter, and copies of ledger page. Wikipedia information on Nasrulla Khan who was assassinated by his brother while in Royal prison. CONDITION: Excellent, original, as found. Bbl retains approx 95% orig blue, silvered at muzzle, with some cleaning of oxidation, and some slight pitting, just in front of rear sight base. Action retains over 90% orig case hardening color with some high edge wear, silvered on top tang. Case hardening of firing mechanism and blue of housing are silvered at grip. Operating lever is silvered at knob and on front stop. Stocks retain 80 – 90% what appears to be orig rubbed oil finish with some light marks and dings, checkering soiled and dark. There is some chipping and loss of wood at right and left side rear of top tang; left side replaced with epoxy, with some subsequent loss. What appears to be orig pad has alligatored finish on rubber. Bore is excellent, with sharp rifling throughout, cordite burn at throat. Action is smooth. A fine big bore example of these scarce rifles. 49958-26 MGM106 C&R (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2377

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Auction: Firearms - March 2016

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2377	$28,750.00	HOLLAND & HOLLAND WOODWARD PATENT SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK RIFLE IN .465 NITRO, BUILT FOR NASRULLA KHAN, THE ONLY HOLLAND SINGLE SHOT MADE IN THIS CALIBER. SN 26058. Cal. .465 Nitro Express. This fine single shot, built on the revered Holland & Woodward patent third variation action, is the only single shot dropping block in the H&H records in this caliber. Records indicate that it was shot and regulated in July 1907, and was built for Nasrulla Khan, Prince of Afghanistan. Over 22 of these smooth operating single shots were built in 500/450 Nitro, between 1900 and 1906, when the 450 caliber was banned in India and the Sudan. Holland & Holland merely increased the caliber to .465 and dubbed the new cartridge “.465 India”. This rifle has 26″ heavy weight tapered round bbl fitted with file cut island base for one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight; standing leaf is marked for 100 yards, leaves are marked for 200 and 300 yards. Front ramp holds silver bead front sight and flip-up night sight and retains its orig sight protector. A sling loop is soldered to bottom of bbl. Top of bbl is engraved with H&H 98 New Bond Street address and “Field” rifle trial information, as well as “Velopex Patent”. (The Velopex bullet was a specialty of Hollands. It consisted of a compound core encased in a nickel jacket. The aluminum front section was lighter than the lead base, allowing the bullet to be manufactured to the same length as a standard bullet, yet weight considerably less allowing for increased velocity. Velopex bullets in .465 weighed 365 grains, and were used in shooting the famous seven consecutive shot 100 yard group that “all would have struck a postage stamp” (used in Holland’s advertisement), and had a muzzle velocity of 2282 FPS vs the 2141 of .480 grain bullet.) This rifle is proofed for 70 grains of cordite and the .480 grain bullet. Case hardened Woodward patent dropping block action noted for its smoothness of operation and fine workmanship, features non-automatic tang safety (SAFE inlaid in gold) and firing mechanism which is hand detachable with removal of pin with lever on right side of action. Action is engraved with 60% coverage exceptionally well cut varying sized scroll within line borders. “Holland & Holland” is in central oval on each side. Blued operating lever and firing mechanism housing have matching scroll engraving. SN is on tang of housing. Lightly streaked European walnut steel trap capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over Silver pad (factory record indicates “recoil heel plate”) and features classic H&H styling with right hand shadow line cheekpiece, point pattern checkering, and a vacant gold oval, along with sling loop matching that on bbl, on toe line. Matching long splinter forend with horn tip attaches to bbl with screw through engraved steel lozenge. Drop at heel: approx 2-7/8″, drop at comb: approx 1-15/16″. Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Factory cover letter, and copies of ledger page. Wikipedia information on Nasrulla Khan who was assassinated by his brother while in Royal prison. CONDITION: Excellent, original, as found. Bbl retains approx 95% orig blue, silvered at muzzle, with some cleaning of oxidation, and some slight pitting, just in front of rear sight base. Action retains over 90% orig case hardening color with some high edge wear, silvered on top tang. Case hardening of firing mechanism and blue of housing are silvered at grip. Operating lever is silvered at knob and on front stop. Stocks retain 80 – 90% what appears to be orig rubbed oil finish with some light marks and dings, checkering soiled and dark. There is some chipping and loss of wood at right and left side rear of top tang; left side replaced with epoxy, with some subsequent loss. What appears to be orig pad has alligatored finish on rubber. Bore is excellent, with sharp rifling throughout, cordite burn at throat. Action is smooth. A fine big bore example of these scarce rifles. 49958-26 MGM106 C&R (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2377 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2016 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*HOLLAND & HOLLAND WOODWARD PATENT SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK RIFLE IN .465 NITRO, BUILT FOR NASRULLA KHAN, THE ONLY HOLLAND SINGLE SHOT MADE IN THIS CALIBER.