The makers have kindly confirmed that this incredible double rifle was completed in 1876 on the orders of The Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan (or Asaf Jah VI to use his titular name), through his agents Rogers Rock, Merchants & East India Agents. The Nizam’s armory was of legendary opulence, even by the grand standards of Indian nobility, and included many extraordinary firearms by the best British gunmakers of the later Victorian period. The present rifle is a rare example of factory gold inlaid decoration, a very rare feature at this period of British gun making. With blued barrels each rifled with nine grooves, engraved with a wide band of stylized running foliage at the muzzle and inlaid with gold tendrils at the breech end. Smooth solid raised rib with bead front sight with flip-up moon sight, single standing notch rear sight marked for “50” yards and with platinum inlaid center line, signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON.” in gold, and with doll’s head extension engraved with a shell and inlaid with further gold tendrils en suite with breech ends. The underside of the barrel flat struck with London black powder proof marks for 12 bore (the barrels being rifled measure for proof purposes at 12 bore between the lands and 10 bore between the grooves). Casehardened action with carved percussion fences and long topstrap, underlever with checkered finial and rebounding backaction locks. Furniture comprising blued trigger guard, and casehardened pistolgrip cap and forearm mounts and lever. The action, underlever, locks and furniture each with fine scroll engraving and gold inlaid border lines and tendrils. The locks each signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” in gold and the trigger guard with gold inlaid serial number. Well figured 13 3/4 inch pistolgrip stock with orange rubber recoil pad, raised cheekpiece, checkered grip and forearm, the latter with lever release with checkered tip. The left side of the butt with a silver inlaid rack number “6”, the underside of the butt with large oval gold initial escutcheon engraved with the Nizam’s coat of arms and motto. The underside of the butt also with a mount for a sling attachment, the corresponding front sling mount fitted beneath the barrels. Weight 13 lbs. 2 oz. The rifle is supplied with two fitted cases. The first is the original oak and leather case lined in dark green velvet with black leather Holland & Holland trade label in the lid, the exterior of the lid is initialed, marked “10 BORE” and with remains of two old labels with handwritten Urdu script, with a period Hawksley pewter oiler. The second case is of more recent manufacture and is of oak wrapped with red Ostrich skin and fitted with brass corners. The interior is lined in black velvet and the inside of the lid has a black leather Holland & Holland trade label with gilt lettering. With a full compliment of accessories, including two brass bullet molds, a brass case crimping tool, a mainspring clamp, cleaning rod, snap caps, and various turnscrews. Documentation accompanying this rifle includes correspondence between Holland & Holland in London and the purchaser from 1983 and a copy of the original factory ledger entry. Provenance: The Nizam of Hyderabad and The Malcolm King Collection

The rifle is presented in excellent condition with crisp engraving and unblemished gold inlay throughout. The barrels retain 98% blued finish, almost certainly a factory refinish by Holland & Holland, slight traces of Damascus pattern visible to the under-rib. The engraving at the muzzles is slightly softened and there are slight traces of older corrosion spot marks in sheltered areas such as the rib joins. There are a couple of scattered scratches in the surface bluing. The action, locks, underlever and furniture retain 85% slightly faded original casehardened finish with some age related handling loss to the top strap as it crosses the wrist. The trigger guard retains 70% deep blued finish with again some age related handling loss at the grip. Stock has been refinished with mostly well-defined checkering, some softening from handling at the grip. Mechanically excellent. The original case has some age related storage and handling marks to the exterior, handle and straps have been replaced, some minor age related wear to the lining. The second case is in excellent condition with minimal signs of wear. A unique opportunity to acquire a magnificent rifle made for Indian royalty.