Details of Lot 118
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A FINE 12-BORE "ROYAL" MODEL SIDELOCK EJECTOR GUN, NO. 23028

30-inch barrels with 2 1/2-inch chambers about true cylinder and 1/4 choke borings, the frame, lock and top lever with bold acanthus scroll engraving and retaining much original hardening colour, the fences carved with shell motifs, gold lined cocking indicators, 15 3/4-inch highly figured stock including 1 1/4-inch extension, 6lb. 10oz., nitro proof, in its original maker's case, with dust flap, together with its original bill of sale, receipt and further paperwork

The gun was built for the Rt Hon Richard Haldane and delivered on December 17th, 1904. It was given as a going away present on the 21st birthday of his friend's son, James Kemp. Mr Kemp went to Canada as a mining engineer and remained there for the rest of his life. During the First World War he was awarded the D.S.O. and M.C. The gun appears to have been little used in this time and only came to light in 1977 upon the death of his wife. The gun was sold at Sotheby's in London in 1981.

The gun remains little used and is in a remarkable condition for its age.

Rt Hon Richard Haldane

Born in Edinburgh in 1856 he was a well known and prominent Scottish politician, noted for forming the Territorial Army in 1907. A Liberal, he was elected to Parliament in 1885 as the Member for East Lothian. In 1895 he helped found the London School of Economics, and joined the Government in 1905 as Secretary of State for War. In 1911 he was granted the title Viscount Haldane and he was appointed Lord Chancellor the following year. He left Asquith's Coalition government in 1915. He was also a member of the Fabian Society and campaigned for the Labour Party in the 1923 General Election. In 1924 Haldane became Lord Chancellor in the Labour governement formed by Ramsay MacDonald and was also leader of the House of Lords. He was elected Chancellor of the University of St Andrews shortly before his sudden death at his home in Auchterarder on 19th August 1928.

Sold for £13000
Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns
The Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland
23 August 2010
Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply