Hi all,

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.

Now that is a "Best Quality" rifle.

465H&H

do you have any pics of the lock internals? I'm curious exactly how the safety is secured and moves on/in the lock.

What a tease! Pulled up her skirts and then didn't show us her knickers! I'd like to see the lockworks please.

Otherwise, what a gorgeous gun!!!!

Thanks 465. It is a sweetheart of a rifle.

Supercracker, this is as good as I have right now...



And some more of the mortises...

Wow, these pics really suck...
I'll see about some better ones when I have a little more free time.

The locks are the most diminutive little things I've handled. Compare with the reference dime.

The baize is tatty, but the case is otherwise in outstanding condition. The whole thing (rifle included) smells like an old person!

Bill, you're having way too much fun. We need to get you to work. Congrats on your beautiful little Holland!

Bill, I just saw that somewhere for sale recently...no?

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 Don--I'm looking forward to getting together. It's been too long.
Bill

An almost identical rifle exists in Australia
- well it did, it could be anywhere by now.

Stunningly beautiful. I would assume accurate as well. You are indeed fortunate.


Dutch

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.

A few more...

quote:

Originally posted by vagrouser:


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.