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LOT 1510
Factory B. J. Wiseman Signed and Game Scene Engraved Holloway &
Naughton 20 Gauge Self-Opening Sidelock Over/Under Shotgun with Case -
Serial no. 01-20, 20 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Holloway & Naughton guns are among the finest bespoke guns England has to offer building on a
custom order basis in small volume. This particular gun is the first gun produced by Holloway & Naughton
after a long break in production due to the destruction of the factory and loss of tooling and blueprints during
the Second World War. The gun was a collaborative effort by Andrew Harvison and John Wiseman when the company
reopened its doors under their ownership. This gun was built with blued steel barrels featuring a single brass bead sight on the matted flat solid rib which is marked “HOLLOWAY & NAUGHTON ENGLAND” along with a small flourish of floral scroll, import mark on
the right side rib beneath the forend, and 2000 dated Birmingham proofs showing 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels
are fitted to a casehardened self-opening sidelock action which displays beautifully cut deep floral scroll over a darkened background surrounding “HOLLOWAY & NAUGHTON” signatures on either side and the bottom as well as a trio of highly detailed game scenes before extending to the toplever and both tangs. The left lockplate shows a covey of quail in a snowy field with some taking flight and others beaded down, the right lockplate has a covey of pheasant in a field with one taking to the sky, and the underside shows a snipe taking flight over a field. The triggerguard also bears a scene showing the bust of a snipe. The triggerplate is signed “B. J. Wiseman.” who carried out the engraving and is brother to company owner John Wiseman. The gun features gold centerline cocking indicators on either lockplate, a single trigger, right hand rolled triggerguard, and tang mounted manual safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”. The wood is beautiful highly-figured and multi-point checkered on the forend which features engraved and blue finished fittings including the push button release and the extended shoe containing the ejector components as well as the pistol grip stock which has tear drop carved drop points, blank gold inscription oval, and a checkered bare butt with blued, engraved, and gold inlaid toeplate. Included is an oak and leather takedown case with factory trade label containing a set of cleaning tools, nickel oiler, two nickel snap caps, and a set of three turnscrews.
Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed at 15.6mm (.626 inches) and measured .629/.628 inches; choke constriction .006/.007 inches; minimum wall thickness .028/.028 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 2 5/16 inch drop at heel;
14 9/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 6 lbs. 4 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and 98% original case colors with some muting on the action and minor handling evidence. The wood is also excellent with a few minor marks and sharp checkering. The case is very good with an absent strap. Mechanically excellent. This is a chance to own the very first gun built by Holloway & Naughton after more than fifty years dormant!
Estimate: 22,500 - 32,500
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