Waiting for some better weather to get some outside shots, but wanted to share these pics. H&H 450/400 2 3/8" top lever, rebounding back action hammer gun with stalking safeties c. 1890. Stephen Ambrose at the London office has been incredibly responsive and helpful concerning my inquiries. A copy of the ledger page is included-interestingly the LOP is listed as "not finished." He said this is unusual and while he couldn't confirm, speculated that the Silver's pad is original to the rifle. Given its appearance, I tend to agree. There was a work order tag in the case showing the post 1960 Bruton St address-he confirmed the rifle was returned to them in 1978 to auction at Sotheby's.
I don't have a scale, but it is a lithe, great handling little rifle and I look forward to getting it up and running. Will follow up with a report.
Hi Jon, I think that there was a similar rifle at auction in the last year or so. This particular rifle was a private party sale and wasn't advertised to the best of my knowledge.
Thanks Dutch. No idea if it'll shoot as I haven't gotten everything together yet. I was told by the previous owner that accuracy was very good.
I just got a copy (from Cornell publications) of a H&H catalog from 1887-1890. They show a 230gr grooved bullet in the line up. Price appears to be 55 Guineas vs 60 for the new-fangled hammerless Royal.
Supercracker, this is as good as I have right now...
Thanks, I haven't yet had the opportunity to handle a rifle with this type of stalking safety and I'm trying to figure exactly how the slider is retained in the lock plate. I'm just getting started on a English styled ML rifle build and hope to duplicate this type of safety.
_________________________ "We all come into this world screaming, bloody and naked. If life is lived properly this does not stop at birth."
