Product Details
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A FINE, VIRTUALLY UNUSED PAIR OF THOMAS-ENGRAVED 20-BORE (3IN.) 'ROYAL MODEL DE LUXE' DOUBLE-TRIGGER OVER AND UNDER HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 51191 / 2,
30in. nitro barrels with file-cut ribs engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. LONDON' toward the breech-ends, bottom barrels gold-inlaid '1' and '2', 3in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 1/4 choke (both), hold-open toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, hand-detachable sidelocks with engraved bridles, faceted lockplate release catches carved with stylised foliate work, gold-inlaid cocking indicators, blued pins, rolled-edge triggerguards, the bolsters, actions, lockplates and furniture all profusely engraved with flowing best bold foliate scroll and bold arabesques on a matt background surrounding the makers name, the undersides engraved with 'MODEL DE LUXE', the triggerplates signed 'K. Thomas. Eng.', 14 3/4in. highly-figured pistolgrip stocks, weight 6lb. 11oz. (No.1) 6lb. 10oz. (No.2), in their individual makers universal cases
Provenance: We are kindly informed by the makers that this pair of shotguns were completed in 2007 for the vendor.
Keith Thomas was born 1947, and once his schooling was completed he was apprenticed to the engraver, Ken Preater of Holland & Holland. He completed his apprenticeship in 1969 and was to remain with the best London maker for a further eight years. He moved away from London and began working under his own name in 1977. Initially, most of his commissions were from Holland & Holland, but he has worked for many of the best English and Continental gun trade over the ensuing years.
Estimate £75,000-85,000
S2