Manufactured in circa 1888, ‘The Ross’ (almost certainly named after famed game shot Captain Horatio Ross) used Henry Holland’s 1882 patent for a toplever cocking rook rifle action and was the first of Holland & Holland’s sleek hammerless rook rifles. It was available in .295/.300 caliber and the larger .360 No.5 caliber. With blued octagonal barrel with full length matted top flat, signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND, 98. NEW BOND ST. LONDON. .295 SEMI SMOOTH BORE” and “WINNERS OF ALL THE ‘FIELD’ RIFLE TRIALS 1883. PATENT NO. 1294”, with non-selective ejector, and fitted with a bead front sight and rear sight of one standing notch sight and two folding leaves graduated to “150” yards and each with platinum inlaid center line. Casehardened border and scroll engraved rounded action with blued toplever and safety catch with gold inlaid “SAFE” to the right side. Blued trigger guard, butt plate and casehardened pistol grip cap each engraved en suite. Well figured walnut semi-pistol grip stock with checkered grip and snap forearm, the latter with dark horn cap. The underside of the barrel struck with London black powder proof marks. In associated fitted leather rook rifle case lined in burgundy baize, the lid with printed Holland & Holland trade label. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine overall. The barrel retaining 98% original blued finish with crisp signatures and matting to the top flat, some very slight handling wear to the finish on the edges. Action with crisp engraving and retaining 90% original slightly faded casehardened finish with some handling wear. Stock showing a good figured pattern with well-defined checkering, some scattered age related storage and handling blemishes and marks. Mechanically excellent. Case in very good condition with relined interior, label with some age staining.