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SCARCE HOLLAND & HOLLAND CENTENARY 2" 12 BORE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
SCARCE HOLLAND & HOLLAND CENTENARY 2  12 BORE

DOMINION GRADE SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH ORIGINAL CASE. Cal. 12 Ga., 2". S# 34183 (circa 1936). With the development of 2" guns in the late 20s & early 30s, Holland & Holland gave their early production guns the name "12-2" in 1935. This model was renamed "Centenary", marking 100 years of Holland & Holland being in business. This fine gun from the golden age of the late 30s has 28" chopper lump bbls. engraved "FOR 2 INCH CASE ONLY" & "Centenary" on narrow swamped game rib. Tops of bbls. are engraved "Holland & Holland" & "98 New Bond Street. London." Bbl. flats stamped w/ London nitro proofs for 12 Ga. 2" chambers & 1 oz. of shot. S# is on bottom of right bbl. Coin finished, rnd. bodied "Dominion" sidelock action features backspring locks, automatic safety ("SAFE" inlaid in gold) & dbl. triggers. Action & locks engraved w/ about 70% coverage very well cut sprigs & sprays of scroll accented by rose bouquets in traditional English style. "Holland & Holland" is engraved at the bottom of each lockplate. Blued trigger guard w/ scroll engraving on bow has S# on short tang. Nicely figured & lightly streaked European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 1/4" over checkered wood butt. Point pattern checkering w/ mullered borders wraps under grip. A vacant silver oval is on toeline. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. MEASUREMENTS: bbls.: bore diameter: right: .732", left: .731". Restriction: right: .005" (IC), left: .011" (LIGHT MOD). Minimum Wall Thickness: right: .020", left: .020". STOCK: DAH: 2 1/16". DAC: 1 7/16". LOP: 14 1/4". CAST: approx. 1/4" off. WEIGHT: 5 lbs. 6 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun comes w/ its original green canvas brown leather trimmed case lined in burgundy cloth. A lg. paper Holland & Holland label is in lid along w/ cleaning & lubrication instruction label & charge card for this particular gun w/ India INK notations "For 2-Inch Cases Only", S# & loading data. Case contains relatively new 2-piece mahogany & brass cleaning rod, vintage square oil bottle by Hawksley & a pair of H&H marked snap caps. CONDITION: good to very good as refinished. Bbls. retaining nearly all of a good quality reblack. Engraving slightly softened. Action & locks have been cleaned to coin finish, engraving remains sharp & clear. Top lever & trigger guard reblued & retain nearly all of that blue. Engraving is somewhat washed. Stocks retain nearly all of a best oil refinish w/ a few very minor subsequent marks, checkering competently recut. Bores are bright & shiny w/ 1 noted professional dent repair in left bbl. at top about 8" back from muzzle. Action is tight. Bbls. are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case exterior shows faded canvas w/ a number of abrasions, leather trim darkened, original straps & handle are good. Interior cloth is good to fine w/ rubs soiling. H&H label is fine, considerably foxed, other labels show soiling & foxing. Cleaning rod is fine. Oil bottle shows some flaking. Snap caps considerably cleaned w/ brass showing. This gun represents the "Sina Qua Non" for a quail or woodcock hunter. (21-4001/MGM). CURIO. $7,000-12,000.