Page 308 - 83-BOOK1

LOT 1358
Rare Engraved Holland & Holland 12 Bore “Royal” Double Barrel Sidelock Ejector Paradox Shot & Ball Gun with Case - Serial no. 15736, 12 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Dating to circa 1908, this gun features blued rifle choked barrels respectively signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON” and engraved “NITRO-PARADOX FOSBERY PATENT.” Each breech end is engraved with a band of stylized running foliage. The sunken concave rib has a bead front sight and a file cut matted quarter rib with dovetailed rear sight of two folding notch leaf sights each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated to 100 yards. The bottom of the rib is import marked under the forearm. The casehardened action is engraved “ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR” on the underside. The toplever is engraved “PATENT EJECTOR.” The automatic safety has gold inlaid “SAFE.” It also has a long upper strap and checkered front trigger. The sidelocks are signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” and have gold inlaid cocking indicators. It is engraved with Holland & Holland scrollwork. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with London nitro proof marks. The well-figured walnut semi-pistol grip stock has a grooved dark horn buttplate, checkered grip and forearm, and blued Anson push button release on the latter. The underside of the butt has a blank silver oval initial escutcheon. It comes in a brass cornered case with leather exterior, Asian marking on the front right corner of the lid, extractor notice and Holland & Holland trade label inside the lid, fitted interior, three screwdrivers, snap caps, two nickeled oil bottles, and a bore mop. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): chambers proved and measured at “1 1/8” oz (2 1/2 inches); bore diameter 9 inches from the breech both proved at 12 (.729 inches) and both measured .739 inches; minimum wall thickness .020/.028 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/2 inch drop at heel; 14 3/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs 6 oz.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain nearly all of the reblued finish with some scattered corrosion marks visible beneath the finish. The barrel signature and engraving are refreshed. The action has traces of original casehardened finish on the water table, and the remainder is cleaned bright. The engraving is clear throughout. The stock is refinished and has occasional age related marks, small chips around the inletting, thin crack at rear of
forend running to the silver escutcheon, and an exposed plug in the checkering on the forearm. Action requires servicing, otherwise mechanically very good. The restored case has an added strip in the center of the lid, replaced straps, and minor wear on the interior. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 1359
306
Fine & Rare Engraved Westley Richards 12 Bore “Super Magnum Explora” Double Barrel Boxlock Ejector Shot & Ball Gun - Serial no. T7268, 12 Bore cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This fine shot & ball gun was manufactured in circa 1924. The blued rifle choked barrels are respectively signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO./LONDON”, engraved “SUPER MAGNUM EXPLORA” on the left tube towards the breech, and each tube engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The sunken concave rib has a bead front sight and matted quarter rib with rear express sight of five folding leaf notch sights each with inlaid center line and graduated to 300 yards. The casehardened treble grip action is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO.” on each side and has a blued toplever, automatic safety with inlaid “SAFE”, blued floorplate, casehardened trigger plate, blued trigger guard, and classic English scrollwork finely engraved throughout. The underside of the barrels and water table have Birmingham nitro proof and reproof marks, and it is import marked under the forearm. The well-figured walnut straight hand stock with dark horn Westley Richards buttplate has panels of multipoint checkering on the grip and forearm, and
the latter has a scroll engraved Deeley and Edge fastener and dark horn tip. The underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): chambers proved at 70 mm (2 3/4 inches), bore diameter 9 inches from the breech both reproved at 18.9 mm (.744 inches) and measured .745/.744 inches; minimum wall thickness .032/.025 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs 13 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent as professionally refurbished. The barrels, action and furniture each retain nearly all of their renewed blued and casehardened finish. The deep engraved decoration remains crisp and finely detailed. The stock has been refinished and retains well-defined checkering with occasional scattered minor age related storage and handling marks. The buttplate is worn. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000