Wallis, here is what I've come up with.
1890 Holland & Holland, “Royal Ejector”
1890 Holland & Holland, “Royal Ejector”, serial # 12761, 12ga, SxS, 30" Damascus barrels w/ perfect bores and no pitting, fairly recently re-browned, no dents or bulges. The barrels have no choke as ordered by “Sir Traed” of the Balmoral Estate, Scotland. This is a bespoke weapon which carries a Royal Crest Warrant, [Crown & Unicorn], authorized by Queen Victoria, which was issued by her Royal Arsenal, and such is engraved on the escutcheon. This is the #2 gun of an original pair, and is so designated, in gold, on the barrel and receiver. The # 1 gun is still at the estate, and was re-barreled in 1952 by Holland & Holland, according to their records, which also states that the #2 gun has never been returned to them. The stock is in a beautiful "fiddle-back" English walnut, with light handling marks, but no cracks or gouges. It has the early, "must have for any serious Holland & Holland collector", "Dipped Edge, Leg of Mutton, Rigby Style", side-locks, and the receiver was re-colored by Doug Turnbull. It is in an Oak and Leather, Henry Atkin from Purdey's, case, and it is also of the 1890's period. The case shows considerable wear on the outside, but it is structurally, very sound. The inside is covered with a red dyed "Falkland Island's Wool", and it has been modified to fit the receiver and butt stock after a leather recoil pad was recently added. This gun has been hunted with for the last 2 years, and it is in excellent condition.
This information was gleaned from the former owner who has since passed, and Holland & Holland in New York City.
“A Cased Holland and Holland, Royal Side Lock Ejector, with the very durable Rigby shaped locks vintage 1890. This is a 1890 London best gun, a rare, fine, bespoke weapon used at the Balmoral estate in Scotland during Queen Victoria reign. These Holland and Holland’s set the standards for bespoke, hammerless guns and set the rapid advancement in action development during the 90's. It has a royal warrant crest on the echelon, and the tubes are 30" low profile, with good bores minor pitting and BP proof concave tapering solid rib original Holland and Holland Damascus choked open and open as was the rage for those days. The LOP is 15 with stunning wood to a leather pad. The DAC 1 7/16, DAH is 2 1/4 with a 3/8 "cast off. The gun balances perfect and at 6 lbs 12 oz swings very smooth. The Holland action was colored by Doug Turnbull, Barrel browned by Buck Hamlin. Wood work and Leather pad by David Yale. “
This is an excellent game gun for pheasant, grouse, and late season doves, and certainly a treasured, heritage gun.
that's it, hope all enjoy,
binko
