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LOT 305
Attractive and Highly Desirable Engraved Holland & Holland Side by Side Royal Hammerless Ejector Side Lock Shotgun with Case and
Accessories - Serial no. 25180, 12 Bore gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl., black/bright/
blue finish, highly figured checkered walnut stock. This example was manufactured in 1907. There is masterfully executed tight floral scroll engraving on the lock plates, receiver, break
lever, trigger guard/lower tang, forearm hardware and on the breech end of the rib. The lock plates are engraved in a banner “HOLLAND & HOLLAND”. The underside of the receiver is engraved “ROYAL/HAMMERLESS/EJECTOR”. The top of the right barrel is
engraved “HOLLAND & HOLLAND.” and the top of the left barrel is engraved “98. NEW BOND STREET, LONDON.” The break lever is engraved “PATENT/EJECTOR”. The bottom
flats of the barrels are stamped with the “arm holding a sword/NP” proofs, the intertwined “Crown/GP” proofs and “Crown/V” proofs. The water table is stamped with a “Crown/V” and a “Crown/GP” proofmark on each side. The matching serial number (25180) is stamped
on both sides of the water table, on the bottom of both barrels and on the inside of the forearm hardware. The serial number is also engraved on the lower tang. The barrels have a single brass bead sight, are choked .003/.011 and have 2 3/4 inch chambers with ejectors. The 7 pin lock plates are secured to the receiver with two
screws having a niter blue finish. Some of the lock plate
pins are niter blue and some are polished bright. There is a
gold inlaid cocking indicator on each lock plate. Fitted with
double triggers and an automatic tang mounted safety with
“SAFE” inlaid in gold. Mounted on a beautifully figured, multi-
point checkered English walnut splinter forearm and straight
grip stock with teardrop flats, an “MLH” engraved brass initial
oval and a leather covered recoil pad. Length of pull is 14 3/4
inches, drop at comb is 1 1/2 inches, drop at heel is 2 1/8 inches
and there is an 1/8 inch of cast on. The bores measure .737 for
both barrels. The wall thickness for the left is .065 and the wall
thickness for the right is .055. The factory letter (copy) confirms
the gauge, model, barrel length and materials, the chokes, the date the barrels
were regulated (1-18-1907), that the stock had a length of “14 3/8 in.”, that it was finished on 7-9-1907 and that it weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces. Comes with the original leather covered hardcase embossed “MLH” on the lid with green felt interior and gold embossed black leather label on the inside of the lid, two nickel plated snap caps, a nickel plated
oiler and a two piece hardwood cleaning rod. Harris Holland started with a wholesale tobacco business, but was a very good shot who frequently won pigeon shoots. His friends convinced him to start a gun business in the 1850s. Harris took his nephew Henry in as
an apprentice in 1861 and made him a partner in 1867. Nine years later Harris retired and the name changed to Holland & Holland as we all know it. They have been synonymous with Best Guns ever since 1883 when they entered and won every category of “The Field” magazine trials.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. The barrels retain 98% plus of the period refurbished blue finish showing only very minor surface scratches down the length. Much of the niter blue finish remains on the screw and pin heads. The engraving on the barrels and refinished lower tang are slightly worn with the remainder of the engraving still brilliant, sharp and crisp. The wood is very fine as reoiled with a few small pieced in repairs (one on the front left of the forearm and one on the bottom left of the wrist), a tight hairline crack on the lower right side of the wrist and some very minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with moderate wear. An attractive and timeless classic by one of the world’s renowned manufacturer’s Holland & Holland!
Estimate: 14,000 - 20,000
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