The makers have kindly confirmed that this rifle, the first production example built on the Henry Holland & Thomas Woodward patent for a sliding breech block action (No. 17578 of September 15, 1894), was manufactured in 1895 to an order placed by a Carl Brix for a George Kock Esq. This rifle is featured in Walter G. Winfer, “British Single Shot Rifles”, Volume 5, pp. 16, 44 and 89. Thomas Woodward had been an established Birmingham gunmaker before being employed by Henry Holland in 1892 to set up Holland & Holland’s first factory on Harrow Road, London. Henry and Thomas were co-patentees on a total of eleven patents. Holland & Holland had sold falling block rifles using bought in actions since 1890, but the Holland-Woodward action was their first in-house design with a total production of around 140 rifles. They were highly regarded in period with the famous African hunter F.C. Selous ordering three Holland-Woodward patent rifles between 1899 and 1904. The maker’s records note that this rifle left the factory with a “patent adjustable telescope”, the present scope and mounts being fitted by the famous Austrian gunsmiths Johann Springers Erben of Vienna probably during the 1920s or 1930s. With blued rounded barrel with Metford rifling, full length sighting flat and signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON” and “WINNERS OF ALL THE “FIELD” RIFLE TRIALS. LONDON”. Front bead sight mounted on a slight ramp and rear express sight of one standing notch and four folding 4 leaves each with platinum centre line and graduated to 500 yards, the breech end fitted with a Kahles, Wien “Heliavier” telescopic sight, no. 29786, signed “JOH. SPRINGERS ERBEN WIEN” and with quick detachable mounts. The breech end of the barrel struck with Vienna nitro reproof marks. Casehardened scroll engraved action signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” on each side within a ribbon and with automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Scroll engraved underlever, trigger guard and pistol grip-cap. Figured 13 3/4 inch pistol grip stock with raised cheek piece, grooved dark horn butt-plate and checkered grip and forearm, the latter with dark horn cap. The underside of the butt with blank gold oval initial escutcheon and sling mount, the corresponding sling mount fitted beneath the barrel. Weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine with 80% of the reblued finish remaining on the barrel with filled scope mount dovetails. The action lever and trigger guard are mostly a dark grey patina with some traces of original case colors, some areas of spotting, and a small repair on the lower tang. The wood is good with scattered handling marks and chipping, with a wedge repair at the grip. The forend has been lightly sanded with some loss of definition to the edges and checkering. Mechanically excellent.