The 28 bore is the rarest of all Paradox guns built by Holland & Holland with only eight appearing in their records. This example was the first of a sequence of three 28 bore Paradox guns and was ordered in November 1906 by a Robert S. Clarke Esq. and completed in September 1907. This gun is discussed and illustrated in David Baker & Roger Lake, “Paradox. The Story of Col. G.V. Fosbery, Holland & Holland, and the Paradox”, page 244-247 and Donald Dallas, “Holland & Holland: The Royal Gunmaker”, page 423-424. It was returned to Holland & Holland at some point for reproof with revolver Cordite and sold to Prince Yugala of Siam in 1922. With blued rifle choked barrels respectively signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON” and engraved “NITRO-PARADOX FOSBERY PATENT”, each breech end engraved with a band of stylized running foliage. Sunken concave rib with bead front sight and file cut matted quarter rib with dovetailed rear sight of four folding notch leaf sights each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated to 200 yards. Casehardened action with blued removable firing pin bushings and engraved “ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR” on the underside, with blued toplever engraved “PATENT EJECTOR”, automatic blued safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”, long upper strap, checkered front trigger and blued trigger guard. Casehardened sidelocks each signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND”, with gold inlaid cocking indicator and blued pins. The whole finely engraved with Holland & Holland scrollwork. The underside of the barrels and water table struck with London nitro reproof marks for 2010. Well figured 13 1/2 inch walnut straight hand stock with grooved dark horn butt plate, and checkered diamond-shaped grip and forearm, the latter with blued Anson push button release. The underside of the butt with gold oval initial escutcheon engraved with a monogram in Siamese script. Barrel measurements (R/L): reproved at 14.3mm/14.3mm (.563 inches), measuring 14.3mm/14.3mm (.563 inches), 65mm (2 1/2 inch) chambers, minimum wall thickness 0.027/0.027. Weight 5 lbs. 6 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

This extraordinarily rare Paradox is in superb condition. The barrels retain nearly all of the deep reblued finish with clear signature and engraving. The action and locks retain 50% faded original casehardened finish with crisp engraving. The stock has been reoiled with occasional scattered age related storage and handling blemishes, well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.