HOLLAND & HOLLAND .500 / .465 (3 1/4IN) NITRO EXPRESS 'MODELE DE LUXE' SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR DOUB

HOLLAND & HOLLAND .500 / .465 (3 1/4IN) NITRO EXPRESS 'MODELE DE LUXE' SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 28201, 26in. nitro Whitworth-steel chopperlump barrels with matt sight rib, leaf sights for 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards, ramp-mounted bead foresight with flip-up moonsight and with protector, tubes engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET, LONDON.', 'WINNERS OF ALL THE "FIELD" RIFLE TRIALS. LONDON', articulated front trigger, action with third bite, removable striker discs, manual safety, enlongated top-strap, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, fences deeply carved with dragons, the action and lockplates profusely carved with relief engraving of mythical beasts, serpents and grotesque masks amid bold stylised foliate and acanthus scrollwork, the triggerguard and fore-end iron engraved en-suite, the underside engraved 'CHARGE 75 GRAINS CORDITE .500 / .465 CASE 3 1/4 INCHES' in a cartouche framed by serpent dragons, retaining much original colour-hardening and finish, 14 3/8in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, sling swivels, engraved and colour-hardened pistolgrip-cap (with trap) and 1in. leather-covered recoil pad, grip fore-end release catch, weight 10lb. 9oz., in its leather case. The maker's have kindly confirmed that the rifle was completed in 1912. The rifle appears to be very little used