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LOT 3496
Factory Engraved Holland &
Holland Royal Hammerless
Ejector Hand Detachable Sidelock
Double Rifle in .240 Apex with Case and Two Scopes - Serial no.
31001, 240 Mag cal., 25 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. This rifle was completed between 1924 and 1939 according to page
335 of Donald Dallas’ “Holland & Holland: ‘The Royal’ Gunmaker”. The rifle is
built with blued steel chopperlump barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight, two-leaf (one standing,
one folding) rear sight, and factory scope mounts holding a B. Nickel 1-4x scope on the matted flat solid rib,
“HOLLAND & HOLLAND” and “98. NEW BOND STREET, LONDON.” signed on the right and left respectively, 1985 dated
London reproof marks, and chambers with automatic ejectors. The rifle is chambered for the .240 Magnum Holland & Holland
Rimless, a venerable small bore cartridge with ballistics similar to the more modern .243 Winchester. Originally chambered for .240
Flanged Magnum, the rifle was converted to .240 Rimless and reproofed in 1985. The barrels are engraved “Converted to Rimless” on the
right and “By J. Rigby & Co. 5 King Street, London WCZ” on the left beneath the forend.
The barrels are fitted to the casehardened bolstered hand detachable sidelock action which displays beautifully cut “Royal” full coverage
scroll engraving surrounding “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” signature banners on either lockplate as well as “ROYAL/HAMMERLESS/EJECTOR” on the
underside. Both lockplates are marked on the inside face with the serial number, along with “JOSEPH BRAZIER/ASHES”. Joseph Brazier was a
Wolverhampton based lockmaker whom supplied parts to nearly all of England’s great gunmakers, as was common at the time, and his work
is considered to be the highest quality of the era. The rifle features a hidden third fastener, bushed firing pins, lock mounted gold centerline
cocking indicators, double triggers, a right hand rolled triggerguard, and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” indicator.
The rifle is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved forend iron and an Anson button release
as well as a pistol grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, a casehardened and engraved trapdoor grip cap with a spare, traditional
shadowline cheekpiece, a gold inscription oval with the initials “K.K.” under a bird of prey, and an orange rubber recoil pad.
Included with the rifle is a lightweight leather takedown case with original trade labels containing a Zeiss Diavari-C 3-9x36mm scope in a later
factory matching mount, a pair of nickel snap caps, a nickel oil pot, a nickel boil out funnel, and assorted cleaning tools. Length of pull 14 1/4
inches. Weight 9 lbs. 5 oz.
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