Product Details
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A MAGNIFICENT GRIFNEE-CARVED .500 (3IN.) NITRO EXPRESS 'ROYAL DE LUXE' SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 35720, with additional .375 Magnum Flanged barrels,
24in. nitro chopperlump .500 Nitro Express barrels with stepped finely matted sight rib, carved in high relief at the breech end with a crouching horned demi-god, open sights and folding leaf sight with gold-inlaid sight lines and marked for 50 and 100 yards, matted ramp-mounted bead fore-sight with fold-over protector / moonsight, the rib gold-inlaid with the calibre designation, the tubes gold-inlaid 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND BRUTON STREET - LONDON - ', London proofed in 2000, and with its individual fore-end;
24in. nitro chopperlump .375 Flanged Magnum Nitro Express barrels with stepped finely matted sight rib, carved in high relief at the breech end with a crouching horned demi-god, open sights and folding leaf sight with gold-inlaid sight lines and marked for 50 and 100 yards, matted ramp-mounted bead fore-sight with fold-over protector / moonsight, the rib gold-inlaid with the calibre designation, the tubes gold-inlaid 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND BRUTON STREET - LONDON - ', London proofed in 2017, and with its individual fore-end;
treble-grip action with hidden third bite, removable striker discs, ornate side-bolsters carved in high relief with the makers name, elongated top strap with manual safety, carved 'SAFE' detail gripped by a horned demon, the toplever formed with a deeply carved reptilian demon head amid bold stylised foliage and elementals, cocking-indicators, triggers set for the left hand with chequered articulated front trigger, rolled-edge triggerguard, the action, lockplates and furniture exquisitely carved with dramatic scenes of mythical creatures, demons, griffins, dragons and men locked in combat, each with subtle gold eye and tooth inlays and fully interspersed with bold stylised acanthus and foliate motifs, all on a very finely matted background, the triggerplate signed 'PH. Grifnee', old silver finish overall, 15in. exhibition grade pistolgrip stock, pistolgrip-cap (with trap) chiselled with a representation of the Green Man, cast on for the left shoulder and with carved left handed cheekpiece, sling swivels, including 5/8in. leather-covered recoil pad, weight 11lb. 3oz. (.500 Nitro Express barrels) and 11lb. 8oz. (.375 Magnum barrels)
Provenance: The engraver, Philippe Grifnee universally recognised as being one of the world's finest gun engravers, sadly passed away in May 2012 at the age of 59.
He graduated from the Liege School of Engraving in 1970, having spent much of his time there under the tutelage of the renowned Rene Delcour. He refined his skills at Auguste Francotte between 1970 and 1988, and returned to the Liege School of Engraving, this time as a teacher.
In 1988, his talent was recognised by Holland & Holland and he engraved a number of guns for them - which lead to a contract with them to exclusively engrave their guns between 1992 and 1997. After his contract ended, he continued to work on Holland and Holland guns and his skills were also retained by James Purdey & Sons.
He was twice awarded medals for his work by the Belgian Government, a silver medal in 1992 and a gold in 1999.
Other Notes: Though currently set for the left shoulder, the stock has been assessed for its suitability to be professionally converted to a right handed specification by J.P. Daeschler (Gunmakers). They estimate the work could be undertaken at a cost of approximately £1000 (plus VAT).
The makers have kindly confirmed that the current cost to restock would be £15,225.00 plus VAT (if within the EU), with an expected completion time of eight months.
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Estimate £200,000-250,000
S1 - Sold as a Section 1 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act