#8722, Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London: Winners of All The "Field" Rifle Trials, London 1883: A Miniature Top Lever Rebounding Hammer Back Action Rook Double Rifle in .300 (.295) Rook Made in 1885 for Mr. George Jay Gould. Mr. Gould was a railroad executive and the power behind the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad and the Western Pacific Railroad. His initials are still on the stock escutcheon as well as the case lid. It has 26" Extractor Steel barrels, 1 standing & 2 folding rear sights, Very early scope bases that have been there a long time, Double underlugs & double bite, Top lever, Anson forend release, Pistol grip stock with an engraved steel grip cap, 14 5/16" LOP over a horn buttplate, Shadowline cheekpiece, Miniature weight of 6 lbs. 10 oz., Border engraving, The knuckle area of the receiver had corrosion at one time but nothing with any depth, 20%original case colors, 85% barrel blue that appears totally original, Extremely solid wood both front & back, No sling eyes, No primer burn at the striker holes, It remains tight to the face, The good news here is the bore condition that remains excellent with square rifling throat to muzzle, Further good news is the sound wood and the overall stout condition of this gun, The gun is cased in the original vintage brass cornered leather trunk that has the trade label and remains in very nice condition with Mr. Gould's name embossed on the lid. The gun shoots very well, dies are available, loading information goes with it and we can load as much ammo as you would want. This is a neat little double rifle that was well kept for 126 years and it now is looking for another custodian. You can be assured this gun traveled on rail in many parts of the West and maybe rode on the California Zephyr. //////////////////////// George Jay Gould was part of the railroad route that became the Western Pacific Railroad. He apparently liked fooling around as he had 3 children with a mistress, Guinevere. He lost control of the Missouri Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande, Western Pacific, Texas Pacific and the Western Union Telegraph Co. The price of trumpeting his success and good fortune didn't come cheap. Fooling around with guns and women can indeed be costly.