Product Details
FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF H.H. THE MAHARAJAH OF JIND
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A .240 (RIMMED) NITRO EXPRESS 'ROYAL MODELE DE LUXE' HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 28494, with extra 8x57IRS barrels,
25in. nitro chopperlump .240 calibre barrels with matt sight rib, three folding leaf sights for 100, 200 and 300 yards, ramp-mounted bead fore-sight with fold-over protector / moonsight (missing inlay), the breech end with quickly-detachable telescopic sight mount bases, rib engraved '240 BORE, RIM CARTRIDGE', tubes engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON.';
new 25 5/8in. nitro Bohler Rasant-steel chopperlump 8x57IRS barrels by Josef Just (Ferlach) in 1975, matt sight rib, open sights and folding leaf sight, ramp-mounted bead fore-sight, the breech end with quickly-detachable telescopic sight mount bases, treble-grip action with side-bolsters, hidden third bite, removable striker discs, toplever gold-inlaid '1' and engraved 'MODELE DE LUXE', automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, cocking lever return studs, hand-detachable lockplates, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, rolled-edge triggerguard, the action, lockplates and furniture profusely engraved with numerous mythical beasts interwoven between bold scrolling arabesque designs, including serpents, lizards, dragons, wolves and griffins, the underside with the Green Man, bright finish, 14 1/2in. figured pistolgrip stock, chequering refreshed, with cheekpiece, sling swivels, horn pistolgrip-cap and escutcheon with Jind State coat of arms, weight 8lb. 5oz. (.240 barrels) and 8lb. 1oz. (8x57IRS barrels), in its lightweight leather case
Provenance: The makers have kindly informed us that this rifle was completed in .240 calibre with 25in. barrels in March 1921 for 'Jind'.
The name refers to Ranbir Singh of Jind who was born 11th October 1879. He was the last ruler of the 13-gun salute state (15-gun local salute) accession to the Dominion of India. Ranbir Singh acceded to the title when just four years of age, and so the state was run by a regency government until he came of age in 1899. He was a just and progressive ruler who did much for education and the treatment of women. He contributed large numbers of the state army to fight with the British in both World Wars, as well as pursuing his own military career where he reached the rank of Brigadier in the British Army.
He was knighted in 1909 as a K.C.S.I. and two years later he was granted the hereditory distinction of Maharaja of Jind. In 1937 he was appointed a G.C.S.I. In March 1947 Ranbir Singh celebrated his Diamond Jubilee and became the longest ruler of Jind during the Phulkian dynasty. Five months later he signed the Instrument of Accession to the Dominion of India.
The title of Maharaja passed to his son, Rajbir Singh, on 31st March, on the death of his father.
Estimate £20,000-24,000
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