Product Details
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A RARE 12-BORE 1911 PATENT 'DUPLEX' CHOKE BOXLOCK EJECTOR 'AERO' GUN, serial no. 91745,
Webley serial number only, 30in. nitro barrels with raised matt rib, open sights removed, tubes engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98, NEW BOND STREET. LONDON. PATENT "DUPLEX" CHOKE, 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. 1/2 choke in both, plain, unsigned treble-grip action with removable striker discs, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, 14in. stock, weight 7lb 7oz.
Provenance: Henry Holland and William Mansfield patented the 'Duplex' two stage choke, patent no. 23832 of 27th October 1911, with the primary aim of reducing strain on barrels and lessening muzzle weight.
In 1914, it found a more specific use in combination with another patent by the two men, patent 23196 of 27th November 1914, the 'String of Shot'. Designed for the sole purpose of being used against aircraft or Zeppelins, it comprised of a cartridge with a nucleus of a single solid ball with a variety of smaller shot connected by wire.
Deemed far more effective against fabric and woodwork than a single projectile, and in response to the growing menace of marauding Zeppelin airships, in 1915 Holland & Holland supplied just over one hundred of these 'AERO' guns to the Admiralty for use with the Royal Naval Air Service.
The makers have kindly confirmed that the first order was taken on Monday 21st December 1914, for 'The Admiralty' and consisted of '50 12-bore Hless ejector aero guns for H&H special Aero ctgs with patent Duplex choke boring, sighted with standard sight 50-100yds and one folding leaf, 150 yards' at 22/10/- each, together with an order for 50 mail canvas bags for same, 50 pull though cleaners, 50 clip extractors and 50 wood boxes.
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Estimate £1,000-1,500
S2