Details of Lot 43
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
A .222/.410 "ROYAL" MODEL SIDELOCK EJECTOR GUN, NO. 17668, CONVERTED FROM .250, BUILT FOR THE KING OF ITALY

26-inch barrels with 3-inch chambers, the rifle barrel lined, short raised rib with folding leaf sight, raised fore sight, mounted with a Henstoldt Diasta 4x32 telescopic sight with claw mounts, the frame, locks and top lever with acanthus scoll engraving, the maker's name signed within an arched banner, gold lined cocking indicators, set front trigger, extended top strap, 15 3/4-inch well figured stock with pistol grip, cheekpiece and rubber recoil pad, sling swivels, 6lb. 13oz., Austrian nitro proof

Holland & Holland confirm that the rifle was built in 1900 for the King of Italy and that it was originally supplied as a .250 hammerless ejector rifle.

Umberto I, King of Italy

Born in 1844, he was king of Italy from 9 January 1878 until his death by assassination on 19 July 1900. He was deeply loathed in far Left circles, especially amongst anarchists, because of his Conservatism and support ot the Barva-Beccaris massacre in Milan in 1898. He was buried in the Pantheon in Rome, the last Savoy to be buried there.

The rifle appears to have been built shortly before his death.

Sold for £8000
Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns
Sotheby's, New Bond Street
16 December 2009
Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply