Product Details
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A .375 (2 1/2IN. FLANGED) NITRO EXPRESS 'ROYAL' SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 17735,
26in. nitro barrels (proved 40 GRS Cordite, 270 GRS Bullet) with file-cut sight rib gold-inlaid '1', open sights with two folding leaf sights, marked for 100, 200 and 300 yards, ramp-mounted bead fore-sight, the breech end with quickly-detachable telescopic sight mount bases, the tubes engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON. WINNERS OF ALL THE "FIELD" RIFLE TRIALS. LONDON.', treble-grip action with hidden third bite, removable striker discs, toplever gold-inlaid '1', elongated top strap with bolted manual safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, the action, lockplates and furniture profusely engraved with bold acanthus, ribbon and scrollwork on a matted background, the underside with an elaborate cartouche engraved 'THE ROYAL HAMMERLESS', retaining traces of colour-hardening and renewed finish, 14 3/4in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, engraved steel pistolgrip-cap (with trap, slightly loose), sling swivels and horn buttplate, gold oval with engraved 'L' surmounted by the coronet of an Earl, weight 9lb. 10oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed the rifle was built in 1902 for Lord Lonsdale as a .375 cordite rifle
Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale KG. GCVO. DL, born 25th January 1857, died 13th April 1944 was an avid sportsman and explorer.
Many artifacts from Alaska and North West Canada gathered during his exploration of the region in the late 1880's still reside in the British Museum. He is better know for his being the founding member and first president of the National Sporting Club for boxing and he donated the original 'Lonsdale Belts' in 1909 for the boxing championship trophy. His name was given to the Lonsdale clothing brand for boxing.
He was also founder and first president of the Automobile Association (AA) and for a period of time was the chairman of Arsenal football club.
In his later years he became increasingly devoted to horses and he became a senior steward of the Jockey Club and was president of the first International Horse Show at Olympia. In 1929 he co-edited the well known series of reference works, the 'Lonsdale Library of Sports, Games and Pastimes'.
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Estimate £10,000-15,000
S1 - Sold as a Section 1 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act