Product Details
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A TRIO OF 12-BORE 'ROYAL' SINGLE-TRIGGER HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 22242 / 3 and 25156,
30in. nitro barrels (No.1 chopperlump replacements circa 1992, possibly by the maker), ribs gold-inlaid '1', '2' and '3' at the breech ends, number 2 and 3 guns tubes engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON.' (indistinct No.2), 2 3/4in. chambers No.1, 2 1/2in. chambers numbers 2 and 3, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 1/4 (No.1), true cyl. and imp. cyl. (No.2) and imp. cyl. and 1/4 (No.3), toplevers gold-inlaid '1', '2' and '3', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, hand-detachable lockplates, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, Holland & Holland patent semi-selective single triggers, best bold Royal scroll engraving, the undersides with 'ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR' engraved in elaborate cartouches and with ovals inscribed 'PATENT SINGLE TRIGGER', bright finish overall, 14 3/8in. well-figured stock (No.1) 14 3/8in. figured replacement stock (No.2) and 14 3/8in. figured stock including 5/8in. wooden extension (No.3), weight 6lb. 10oz. (No.1), 6lb. 8oz. (numbers 2 and 3); together with a single lightweight leather case, a canvas and leather outer for a double case and a part-leather bound game book pertaining to the guns and the vendor's family.
Provenance: The makers have kindly informed us that this trio of shotguns were completed with 30in. barrels for Lord Herschell. The No.1 and 2 guns being completed as a pair in July 1900 with the No.3 gun built to match in August 1909. They have passed by descent to the vendor.
Richard Farrer Herschell, 2nd Baron Herschell, G.C.V.O., R.N.V.R. was born 22nd May 1878, the only son of the 1st Baron, Farrer Herschell and Agnes Adela Porcher. His father had been called to the bar in 1860 before becoming a silk in 1872. From here he went into politics and was Lord Chancellor on two separate occasions in Gladstone's administration (pre- and post the Home Rule crisis).
Later in his political career, in 1898, he had been appointed president of a commission set up by Great Britain and Canada to make formal the sighting of the boundary between Canada and Alaska. Early the following year, when discussions were at an advanced stage with the United States, Herschell slipped on a pavement in Washington D.C. fracturing a hip as a result. His health was not particularly robust and he succumbed to his injury, dying two weeks later. So it was that his son Richard became 2nd Baron shortly before his 21st birthday. Like his father, the 2nd Baron would also enjoy a successful period as a statesman and politician (for the Liberal party) but rather than having law as his segue, the young Herschell served with the R.N.V.R. (Royal Naval Voluntary Reserve) where he gained the rank of Commander.
His first senior appointment as a politician was as part of Campbell-Bannerman's administration where he acted as private secretary to the Earl of Aberdeen, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland between 1905 and 1907. Later, under Asquith's Prime Ministership, he served as a Lord-in-Waiting until 1915 when he returned to the R.N.V.R. He served with distinction during the Great War and in 1918 was awarded the Légion d'honneur by the French. In 1919 he married Annie Vera Violet, daughter of Sir Arthur Nicolson, Bt. And five years later returned to the office of Lord-in-Waiting from until his death in 1929 aged 51. He was succeeded in the barony by his son Rognvald.
Literature: The game book that forms part of this Lot is of great interest and records the trios' exploits and details of some of the great shoots of the day. It covers the period 1901 to 1926 with many recognisable names involved, notably those members of the landed gentry who took part in the great shooting parties of the time. As an example, the book records Herschell's visit to Sandringham in November 1911. Amongst the other Guns were H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, H.M. The King of Norway, The Marquis of Ripon, Earl Howe, Lord Bertie Vane Tempest and Sir Somerville Gurney, a splendid and able line. The book shows normal rubbing and minor foxing, together with some crayon marks to several pages (courtesy of Herschell's young grandson!).
Other Notes: The No.1 gun also comes with its original set of barrels which were sleeved circa 1992 with 1/4 and 3/4 chokings.
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Estimate £15,000-20,000
S2