Dating to circa 1920 and with blued rifle choked barrels respectively signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET, LONDON” and engraved “NITRO - PARADOX”, inlaid “RAJA OF MANKAPUR” and “Dt. GONDA. U.P.” in gold, and each breech end engraved with a band of stylized running foliage. Mankapur is a town in the Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh. Matted raised flat rib with bead front sight and rear sight of two folding notch leaf sights each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated to 100 yards. Casehardened rounded bar treble grip action with blued removable firing pin bushings, signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” within a ribbon on each side, engraved “ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR” on the underside, and with blued toplever engraved “MODELE DE LUXE”, automatic blued safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”, long upper strap, blued triggers and blued trigger guard. Casehardened sidelocks each with gold inlaid cocking indicator, the left lock with blued retaining bolt engraved “PATENT”. With fine deep engraving throughout comprising a full coverage of bold foliate scrollwork inhabited by monsters and mythical creatures. The underside of the barrels and water table struck with London nitro proof marks. Finely figured walnut semi-pistolgrip stock including 5/8 inch orange rubber recoil pad, with carved drop points, and panels of multi-point checkering to the grip and forearm, the latter with blued Anson push button release. The underside of the butt with gold oval initial escutcheon engraved with a crest and Hindi script. In leather bound brass cornered takedown case with Holland & Holland trade label, glass oiler and brass vial. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proved at "12" (.729 inches) and measured .739/.738 inches; Paradox rifled chokes; minimum wall thickness .035/.032 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 9/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs 11 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection