Product Details
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A 16-BORE HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 29688,
28in. nitro reproved barrels (in 2012), tubes engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND ST. LONDON.', 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 1/4 choke, treble-grip action with dolls-head extension, removable striker discs, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, hand-detachable lockplates, release lever engraved 'HOLLAND'S PATENT', gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, border engraving, brushed bright and reblued finish overall, 14 1/2in. stock including 1 3/8in. leather covered recoil pad, weight 6lb. 1oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this shotgun was completed with 28in. barrels in October 1928 for Sir Milne Cheetham.
Sir Joshua Milne Crompton Cheetham, K.C.M.G. was born July 1869 and spent his career in the diplomatic service after coming down from Oxford, where he read classics at Christ Church.
He served in various overseas posts before being sent to Cairo in 1910. He became the acting High Commissioner after Britain had declared its protectorate over Egypt in 1914 and held this role until the arrival of Sir Henry McMahon. Five years later he took charge of the British Residency and thus had to confront the 1919 revolution. He then returned to Europe where he served in France and Switzerland before being appointed the first minister to Greece in 1924 on the resumption of diplomatic relations. His last overseas post was to Denmark and he retired from the service in 1928.
Estimate £2,500-3,000
S2