3171

$40,250.00

VERY FINE HOLLAND & HOLLAND 8 BORE HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE,PROBABLY MADE FOR LORD DELAMERE OF KENYA FAME, WITH CASE.

SN 11326. Cal. 8 bore. 3-1/4″ Chambers. 24″ Dovetailed steel bbls. This fine, well balanced rifle was made in 1887 with customers name “Delamere” noted in factory ledger. 1887 is the year that the 2nd Baron Delamere died, and the now famous 3rd Lord, inherited. Lord Delamere (3rd) did not move to Kenya until 1899. Did he have dreams of Africa at the time of his inheritance and order this rifle? Bbls are fitted with a perfect combination of raised, flat, full length matted rib, holding single express rear sight and silver bead front with large flip-up “moon” bead. Bbls have dolls head rib extension and a large sling eye is soldered to bottom of bbls. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for .820, subsequent Birmingham nitro proofs, and “8 BORE 3.250″” “220 Large GRs BLACK POWDER” “1150 GRs BULLET”. SN is stamped on heavy splinter. Round bodied Jones underlever action with top strap that extends over comb in typical “best” H&H fashion, is fitted with peninsula rebounding back locks with round bodied serpentine hammers having dolphin heads. Action and locks are engraved with about 60% coverage large foliate scroll. “Holland & Holland” is engraved on each lockplate. Trigger guard has SN on tang which extends to scroll engraved steel grip cap. Dark and dense, nicely streaked European walnut buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over Silver type pad, and features shadow line right hand cheekpiece. A vacant silver oval and large sling eye, matching that on bbl, are on toe line. Matching splinter forend has pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 2-7/8″, drop at comb: approx 2″. Weight: 16 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 14-1/2″. High quality leather case with heavy canvas leather trimmed outer cover, is lined in burgundy cloth, and has reproduction paper Holland & Holland label in lid. Accessories include a pair of snap caps, round oil bottle, 3 horn handled turnscrews, assorted cleaning equipment, and a braided leather sling. PROVENANCE: Import papers for this rifle dated 1983. Copy of factory ledger page. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a London quality re-black. Other metal parts retain 20 – 30% orig case hardening color, which is quite strong where protected. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish, with a few light handling marks. Checkering is re-cut and fairly sharp. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout with a few scattered very light pits. Action is tight. Bbls are very slightly off face. Locks are crisp. Case is excellent, near new. Outer cover has some rubs. Label is excellent. Interior cloth has some rubs and marks. Accessories are excellent. A superb large bore double that handles exceptionally well. 49958-20 MGM1 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 3171

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Auction: Firearms - October 2016

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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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