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Product Details
MADE FOR WILLIAM III, KING OF THE NETHERLANDS AND GRAND DUKE OF LUXEMBOURG
AN 11.3x51mmR (DUTCH BEAUMONT) BOXLOCK NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE BY J. NOWOTNY, serial no. 6437,
circa 1885, 26in. black powder only barrels with wave cut raised rib, open sights with provision for one folding leaf sight (missing), bead fore-sight with flip-up moonsight, the tubes engraved 'J. NOWOTNY IN PRAGUE', early Anson & Deeley patent treble-grip action with Westley Richards toplever, automatic safety with gold 'SAFE' detail, profusely engraved with fine acanthus scrollwork, the sides with intricate scrolling banners engraved 'K.K. BUCHSENMACHER J. NOWOTNY IN PRAG', retaining very slight traces of colour-hardening, 14 1/8in. well-figured stock with spearhead drop points, sling swivels and engraved steel buttplate with ammunition trap engraved with fine acanthus scrollwork, the heel inset with a relief engraved shield-shaped escutcheon bearing the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch and horn finial, weight 7lb. 12oz.
Provenance: This Lot and the following (Lot 713), feature in two editions of 'The Double Gun & Single Shot Journal', Volume 17, Issue 4, Winter 2006 and Volume 18, Issue 1, Spring 2007. They contain a comprehensive two part article based on the two rifles (together with a third contemporary rifle, no. 6457) entitled 'The King's Double Rifles'.
The article goes into great depth about the known history of the rifles and their being re-united by the author. It informs us that rifle No. 6437 had been in the Royal family collection until the 1930's, when it was presented by Prince Hendrik to his driver, Fritz Loois, as a retirement gift
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Estimate £3,200-3,600
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament