Holland & Holland 500 Express 3 1/4 Double Rifle "THE Elephant Gun" Near Mint
Description:
SOLD ** Holland & Holland 500 Express (3 ¼”) double rifle “THE Elephant Gun” Near Mint
Holland & Holland 500 Express (3 ¼”) double rifle, professionally restored by Keith Kearcher (the English doubles guru). Rifle is serial number 12289, completed 1894, built around a Jones Action Underlever Back-Lock with Rebounding Hammers. It has 26” extractor steel barrels with dolls head rib extension, period rear express sight with one standing and two folding leaves and blade front sight.
Proofed in London as “500 EX”, Right barrel is inscribed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND 98 NEW BOND STREET LONDON”. Left barrel is inscribed “WINNER OF ALL THE FIELD RIFLE TRIALS LONDON”. Also, “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” is inscribed on both the right and left locks, which are border engraved as is the receiver. Left side of the receiver is inscribed “CHARGE 5 DRAMS, CASE 3 ¼ INCHES”
Percussion style fences, Extended Over-the-Comb upper tang, Lower tang extended to grip cap, Deeley & Edge forend release, Steel grip cap, Sling eyes, 14 3/8" LOP over a 3/4" Leather pad, Proper 500 Express weight of 10 lbs., Fairly nice wood. The buttstock and forend are solid. The checkering has been re-cut but exactly as original and extremely well done. The great news on this piece is the bore condition. It has very strong rifling with very good bores. The frame has been re-case-colored, the barrels reblacked.
In their book, The GREAT GUNS, the authors, Harold L. Peterson and Robert Elman, save their last chapter (18) to dedicate guns for “The Most Dangerous Game.” For the chapter opening, the photograph spread shows a Purdey Howdah pistol and a Holland & Holland 500 Express double rifle with Jones action underlever back-locks (exactly like the subject rifle).The caption reads:
“Opening pages: Holland & Holland elephant gun and Purdy howdah pistol. Both are late 19th-century rifled doubles with opening lever under trigger guard. Pistol fires bottlenecked .45, Rifle is black-powder 500 express...” The .500 Express (3 ¼”) was a very successful elephant cartridge in India.
This is a very fine double rifle by one of the best makers and truly, a real piece of history,..it is THE turn-of-the-century quintessential elephant gun – both in caliber and by maker.
Comes cased in maker’s case (some interior restoration as well). Exterior of the case is embossed “R.E.Chesshyre Walker”, a very renowned name in British aristocracy. Case accoutrements include period cleaning rod, bore brush, bore mop, two snap caps and nickel oil bottle.
Loaded ammo, as well as all the components, for the 500x3¼ are available from several sources including Buffalo Arms Co.
SOLD
Seller is the author of The Rifleman’s Rifle (Winchester pre-64 Model 70s) and will furnish a Letter of Provenance that this gun is from his collection. Please check out author’s feedback on ebay under rcrwin70roger. 3-day non-firing inspection for full refund, shipping is $50 to buyer’s FFL, payment by MO, certified check , wire transfer or personal check with wait for validation.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Antique: Yes