Cased Holland & Holland Royal Grade Double Barrel Hammerless Sidelock Rifle, with Rifle and Shotgun Barrels

Serial no. 17401, the rifle barrel in 9.3 x 74R caliber, and of 26-inch length; express rear sights graduated for 100, 150 and 200 yards, the front sight an ivory blade, interchangeable; rib matted at each end. 38 New Bond Street, London, engraved on one of the rifle barrels. The .410 shotgun barrel measuring 26-inches, with 3-inch chamber; choked full on the right barrel, and even more restricted on the left. 98 New Bond Street address on right barrel; matted rib. Double triggers; automatic ejectors; pivoting safety lock on upper tang. Gold-inlaid cocking indicators on locks. Engraved in fine scroll style and coverage of the Royal pattern. Varnished and checkered select walnut pistolgrip stock, with grooved horn buttplate; elegant crescent cheekpiece; splinter forend. Gold oval escutcheon inlaid on bottom of buttstock, without initials.; case-hardened and engraved steel oval pistolgrip cap.
Brassbound leather and oak case, with initials A.P.N. blind-tooled on lid; contour-lining in burgundy felt, with accesssories including snapcaps, oil bottle, sectioned brass cleaning rod, and silver-plated whistle.

Condition: Fine; shotgun barrels excellent and little signs of use. Rifle barrel set old refinish; fine bore. 75% blue and case-hardening on balance; light wear. Wood expertly revarnished by the factory. Case with wear on exterior; relined and restored.

Note: Accompanied by letter from A.J. Shaw, indicating that on November 21, 1987, his custom firearms firm received through U.S. Customs a rifle/shotgun combination which Shaw had sent to Holland & Holland for complete restoration and construction of shotgun barrels: "The original firearm was the Holland & Holland 'Royal' grade rifle of 9.3 x 74 Calibre. A set of 410 gauge shotgun barrels was made and was proofed by them at the time. Both the rifle barrels and shotgun barrels as well as the table has the original serial number 17401."
Note nubs on top of recoil shield lined up with each barrel; a throwback to the outside hammer days.

Provenance: Noted in Holland & Holland "Sporting Guns" publication, p. 44, "[Serial number] 17401 [year] 1894 Some rook rifles."
With certificate as "Bronze Medal Winner" in the "Classic British Sidelock S x S Stalking Rifle Class" at the first Gold Medal Concours d'Elegance for Fine Guns, Rock Springs Ranch, Paicines, California, 21 January 2001.

Estimate: $25000 - $35000