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LOT 1413
Factory Engraved
Holland & Holland Back Action
Hammer Double Rifle in 7 mm Magnum Flanged with Scope, Second
Barrel Set, and Case - Serial no. 17550, 7 mm Magnum Flanged cal., 25 1/8
inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle’s serial
number dates to 1894-1905 per Donald Dallas in “Holland & Holland: ‘The Royal’
Gunmaker”. The barrel features a beaded blade front sight with folding bead, two-leaf rear sight (“50” and “200” marked standing leaf and “300” marked folding leaf,
Lyman Alaskan All-Weather 2 1/2x scope (no. A3127) with “HOLLAND/&/HOLLAND/No 17550” marked front scope mount, “7 M/M ‘MAGNUM’ FLANGED CARTRIDGE”
engraved on the concave rib between the sights, “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” on the top right at the breech, “98, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON” on the top left, bands of
engraving at the breech ends, and a shared extractor. The rebounding back action locks are signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” and have sliding safeties at the front of
the hammers. The rifle also features a blued trigger guard, casehardened grip cap, silver stock escutcheon inscribed “NRB”, scroll engraving throughout, checkered
forearm and pistol grip buttstock, and a serrated horn buttplate. The accompanying notes from Norman R. Blank indicate the rifle was rebarreled by Holland & Holland
in 1960. The original 28 inch .303 caliber barrel set is also included. Both sets are numbered to the gun and have London proof marks. Further matching serial numbers
are marked on the forearm hardware, watertable, trigger guard tang, and rear scope mount. The accompanying case was made for Mr. Blank at the time of the re-barreling. It
has “N.R.B.” on the outside of the lid, Holland & Holland label inside and accessories, including a leather scope case and front sight cover, cleaning equipment, and spare firing pins. The length of
pull is 14 1/8 inches. The weight with the 7 mm barrels without the scope is 8 lbs. 2 oz. Norman R. Blank used this rifle on a hunt in late 1960 or early 1961.
CONDITION: Excellent as factory refurbished and rebarreled with 95% plus
of the blue and casehardened finish, light oxidation, crisp markings and
engraving, crisp checkering, some clouding on the buttstock, and a few
minor marks and scratches. The original barrels are fair with 80% original
finish, brown patina and oxidation on the balance, the lower section of the
rib and rear sight absent, and moderate wear. The scope is very fine and
has minor finish wear from the leather cover and clear optics. Mechanically
excellent. The case is very good with mild age and storage related wear,
including one torn strap.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500