Product Details
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A 9,3X74R 'THE ROYAL' SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 17482,
25in. nitro reproved barrels (converted from .303 calibre and London proofed in 1987) with matt sight rib, open sights and single folding leaf sight marked 50 and 100, ramp-mounted bead fore-sight, the breech end mounted with a Hensoldt Duralyt 1 1/2x telescopic sight in quickly-detachable mounts, tubes engraved HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON. WINNERS OF ALL THE "FIELD" RIFLE TRIALS. LONDON.', removable striker discs, elongated top strap with bolted automatic safety, gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, chequered front trigger, best bold Royal scroll engraving, the underside with 'THE ROYAL HAMMERLESS' engraved in an elaborate cartouche, bright and blued finish overall, 14 3/4in. well-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, engraved steel pistolgrip-cap (with trap), sling swivels, oval gold escutcheon engraved with 'W' surmounted by a ducal coronet, horn buttplate, weight 9lb. 4oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly informed us that this rifle was completed in .303 calibre with 25in. barrels in July 1899 for 'Wark'.
The rifle was later owned for a long period of time by His Grace, The Duke of Wellington.
Brigadier Arthur Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Wellington, K.G., L.V.O., O.B.E., M.C., D.L. was born 2nd July 1915 in Rome to the 7th Duke, George Wellesley and Dorothy Violet, daughter of Robert Ashton. He was schooled at Eton before going up to Oxford and thence into the Army. He gained his commission in 1940 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards and was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in the Middle East during 1941. He ended the war as Lieutenant but received a permanent commission the following year with the rank of Captain. Peace-time promotion is a rather slower animal, but Wellington was promoted steadily and by 1954 was a Lieutenant-Colonel, and in command of the R.H.G. before taking the reins of the Household Cavalry in 1959. Next year he was advanced to Colonel and took command of the 2nd Armoured Brigade, seeing service with the Rhine Army before serving as the Defence Attaché to Spain in 1964. He retired four years later with the honorary rank of Brigadier.
Away from his military and commercial interests, Wellington has always been a great sportsman, and we understand that this rifle has been used to good effect on his lands in Spain where its handling properties made it an excellent piece for the grand Monterias that country is known for.
Other Notes: For associated provenance, please see Lot 121.
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Estimate £15,000-20,000
S1