Guns International #: 101803795

Category - Holland & Holland Rifles - Double Rifles - English

Category
Holland & Holland Rifles
Double Rifles - English

Holland & Holland .577 3" BPE Royal Hammerless Double Rifle with Case and Accessories, Made For The Nizam of Hyderabad

Description:

Fine engraved and gold-inlaid Holland & Holland Royal hammerless non-ejector double rifle, documented in H&H company records as completed circa 1889 for the Nizam of Hyderabad. Reacquired as part of the Nizam's large armory by Holland & Holland in 1974, this rifle was originally part of a 4 gun H&H set with guns “1” & “2” being a pair of .500 double rifles and gun “4” a 10 bore double rifle.

Among the rulers of all the native states in British India, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad is reputed to have had the most lavish court. Born in August 1866, he came to the throne at the age of three upon the death of his father and ruled until his own death in 1911 at the age of 45. The perfect example of a Victorian Prince, he had a great taste for western culture and modern ways of life. A keen hunter, he was popularly known as "Tees Maar Khan" (the "Khan" who killed thirty tigers).

CALIBER: .577 3-inch Black Powder Express.

ACTION: Early Royal top lever non-ejector action with hammerless back locks. Casehardened action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), cocking indicators, raised bosses at tumbler ends for added strength, double triggers, and long top strap which extends over comb. Action and lockplates are engraved in near full coverage exceptionally well cut, varying sized acanthus outline scroll with floral central whorls. “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” is in large swagged ribbon on each lockplate. Left side of action is engraved “CHARGE 6 DRAMS CASE 3 INCHES”. Gold “3” inlaid on top lever and doll’s head on barrel, and is engraved on trigger guard tang, which extends to steel grip cap.

BARRELS: 26″ dovetailed steel barrels are fitted with full length flat rib with dolls head extension. Rear portion is file cut behind one standing and two folding leaf express rear sights. Standing leaf is marked for 50 and 100 yards, and folding leaves for 200 and 250; all leaves with platinum inlaid center lines. Slightly swamped central portion of rib is inlaid at the mid-point in gold “MADE EXPRESSLY FOR HIS HIGHNESS THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD. DECCAN.” Front portion, forming slight ramp, holds silver bead with flip-up “moon” bead. Tops of barrels are respectively engraved with “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98, NEW BOND STREET. LONDON.” and “WINNERS OF ALL THE FIELD TRIALS. LONDON 1883”. There are broad 1/2″ bands of acanthus engraving around breech ends, and top of dolls head extension with gold inlaid “3”. Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for .577EX. Sling loop on underside of rib.

STOCK: Dark and dense, well streaked and nicely figured European walnut. Stock features classic right hand shadow line cheekpiece, capped pistol grip, typical point pattern checkering at grip, a sling loop matching that on barrel, and a vacant gold oval, on toe line. Matching splinter forend has Anson push button release. LOP measures 14-5/8″ to ribbed horn buttplate. Drop at heel measures approx 2-11/16″, drop at comb approx 1-11/16″.

WEIGHT: 12 lbs. 2 oz.

CASE AND ACCESSORIES: Old maker's leather case has vacant central round brass medallion and old label with Arabic markings on top. Interior is lined in royal blue cloth, and has large paper Holland & Holland label in lid, along with an old H&H instruction label for hammerless gun no. 11065, which has been struck out, with “Rifle” “no 3” “6 drams Charge” and this rifle's SN added in India ink a long time ago. Case contains a 2-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod with 2 mops, 2 wire brushes, brass jag, an old square tin of rangoon oil, bone striker bottle, high quality case hardened steel mainspring vise, 28 bore wad punch, .577 loading tube and several wooden rammers, rectangular pewter H&H marked oil bottle, new custom made high quality bullet mould marked “Holland & Holland .577” and with this rifles SN, an H&H marked pin type bullet fixer, and 2 H&H marked horn handled turnscrews.

CONDITION: Excellent Overall. Action is tight and on-face and retains over 70% of muted casehardened finish with crisp engraving throughout. Top lever and trigger guard retain over 90% of well done rust blue. Barrels retain 95% of a high quality rust blue over some scattered shallow smoothed pits, and with some subsequent light marks, most noticeable being a 3” patch of some variegated spotting on top of left barrel to rear of rear sight. Stock retains nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish, with a few light age-related and handling marks. Wood is solid with no cracks or damage. Checkering is sharp (likely professionally re-cut). Bores are excellent with strong, sharp rifling throughout. Mechanically excellent. Case is very good exhibiting normal exterior and interior age-related wear. Replacement handle and straps. Accessories are generally good. Newly made bullet mould is excellent.

A truly splendid gun, as befitted the richest man in the world of his day!  Antique/No FFL required.

Prefer an all-cash sale, but willing to consider partial trade offers involving other high quality firearms (antique or modern; rifles, shotguns or handguns).
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .577 Black Powder Express