Interesting Guns at Holts March 22nd Auction in London

[Grumpy]

How about this one :
"661
HOLLAND & HOLLAND .450 (3 1/4IN. BLACK POWDER EXPRESS) GIBBS-FARQUHARSON FALLING-BLOCK SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. 14256, with 28in. barrel with Enfield-type rifling and raised matt sighting rib signed 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON. WINNERS OF ALL THE "FIELD" RIFLE TRIALS 1883.', bead fore-sight and rear express sight of one standing and three folding leaves calibrated to 250 yards, scroll engraved action signed 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND' fitted with Gibb's stalking lock, engraved 'FARQUHARSON'S PATENT 679' and retaining slight traces of original blued finish, 14 1.2in. figured pistolgrip stock with chequered grip and fore-end, raised cheek-piece, scroll engraved pistolgrip-cap with hinged trap-cover, and horn fore-end cap, the barrel and frame with Gibbs factory number '167'.
See illustration on page 157
Estimate £4,000-6,000
The maker's records (which for this type of rifle were minimal) show that the rifle was sold in 1892 to a Mr. Corbett. Speculation as to whether this was the famous Jim Corbett (the famed Indian-born hunter, naturalist and conservationist) is shortlived as in 1892 he was 16 years old, the son of an Indian village postmaster and was hardly likely to be in a position to afford such a fine rifle. However further research shows that his eldest brother and mentor in all things relating to hunting and the jungle, Tom Corbett was 25 years old, and more importantly in that year was engaged to be married to the daughter of a Duke. Tom shot in both India and Tanganika and it seems quite possible that his future father-in-law financed the purchase of No. 14256 as a present to mark the occasion of the wedding."

The pictures of this rifle are mislocated in the catalogue but I believe this to be it - it is certainly a Farquharson falling block action and it has a Gibbs stalking trigger........and is the only rifle of that de.scription in the sale:

[Grumpy]

This is particularly unusual:
"1105
INJHALAWAR TOPKHANA .577 (2 1/4IN.) TOP-LEVER SEMI-HAMMERLESS SPORTING RIFLE, no visible serial number, 21 3/8in. rebrowned twist octagonal sighted barrel, foliate and scroll engraved action, 14 1/4in. stock with chequered grip and fore-end, sling eyes.
See illustration on page 176
Estimate £150-250"
( I`ll try and locate a picture to follow. )

[Grumpy]

The rifle detailed above:

[Grumpy]

For Lee Enfield fans this is an extremely rare variation and looks to be in super condition:
"1114
LEE SPEED .303 'NO.1' BOLT-MAGAZINE VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIFLE WITH BARREL BY DANL. FRASER, serial no. G307 30 1/4in. blued barrel sighted to 1,700 yards and engraved 'BARREL MANUFACTURED BY DANL. FRASER & CO. EDINBURGH', receiver marked 'LEE SPEED PATENTS' and retaining much original finish, magazine cut-off, cocking-piece safety-catch, 13 1/4in. three-quarter stock, linked magazine, long range volley sights, brass butt-plate with hinged trap-cover, blued barrel-band and nose-cap, the latter with rare Rigby Patent clearing rod, sling mounts and stacking swivel, brown leather sling.
See illustration on page 179
Estimate £600-800"

[Grumpy]

Mehul has frequently spoken of the superb `System Hagn` falling block rifles built by Hartmann & Weiss in Germany and there are two beautiful examples in this Holts auction to be held on March 22nd however it is not often that one gets to see an example built by Martin Hagn himself. This early example is, I believe, one he built before forming the Martini & Hagn partnership in Canada:

" Lot 1123

A FINE M. HAGN 7MM (REM. MAG.) FALLING-BLOCK SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. 8212-83, 26in. blued octagonal barrel with raised full length sighting-rib signed 'M. HAGN. KOCHEL A/SEE' and with the initials 'K.B.B.' in gold, ramp-mounted blade fore-sight and dovetailed single-leaf folding rear-sight with gold centre-line, the rib mounted with a Zeiss 'Diatal-Z' 6x42 telescopic sight in quick detachable mounts, finely scroll engraved action marked 'SYSTEM HAGN' at the breech, 14in. well figured pistolgrip stock with chequered grip and fore-end, raised cheek-piece, and blued sling mounts. This rifle appears to be little used.
Estimate £3,000-5,000".

[Grumpy]

We would have liked to show you the pornographically engraved Auguste Francotte shotgun but it was far too risque.......or downright prurient to put it another way and, after carefully examining the pictures, the moderators have decided that there is no way that it could be shown on a public forum !

[Mack The Knife]

We would have liked to show you the pornographically engraved Auguste Francotte shotgun....after carefully examining the pictures, the moderators have decided that there is no way that it could be shown on a public forum !

LOL.

Thanks for showing us all the goodies.

Are you sure you have got the right price for the INJHALAWAR TOPKHANA?

Mack The Knife

[danish21]

Beautiful Guns... but useless for indians cause they can't bring them to india

Danish

[mehulkamdar]

Grumpy,

Somehow, the finest guns sold at auctions anywhere seem to be in the UK. I do monitor the American auctions - Greg Martin and Rock Island which is very close to where I live, but hardly any of the guns that I have seen here have been of the quality as the various Holt's guns that you have been showing us for the past few years. Very nice guns and thanks for posting their pictures.

Cheers!

[Grumpy]

Yes Mack The Knife, that`s the estimate quoted.

[shahid]

Indians can bring them once our PIL is through and imports re open. Hope we are working on the draft.

[Small Bore]

Interesting theory about Tom Corbett. I agree the rifler could not have belonged to Jim, who was using a muzzleloader with only one serviceable barrel, alternating with a borrowed .450 service rifle at the time.

Corbett does refer to his brother using a .400 double rifle by Westley Richards ' one of the first of this type of rifle to be used in India' he commented.

I find this interesting as my grandfather Ghurka officer) was trained in jungle warfare by Jim Corbett and my grandmother knew him and his sisters quite well.

[mehulkamdar]

Smallbore,

Welcome to Indians For Guns. Do check here from time to time and post often.

Good hunting!

[eljefe]

Grumpy,
Injhalwar or JHALWAR? sorry had to ask-knew the ex maharajah of jhalwar, I think it was border of MP and Rajasthan.
Best
Axx

[Grumpy]

"INJHALAWAR" is how Holts have spelled it. I`ve no idea who or what it is ..... or what it means. Hadn`t occurred to me that "INJHALAWAR" might be a place.