THE WORLD SERIES
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Lots 473-478 AFRICA, ASIA, NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, AUSTRALIA AND EUROPE
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SALE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY 16TH MARCH 2006 AT KENSINGTON HOUSE, HAMMERSMITH ROAD, LONDON, W6 7DJ A PASS FOR ENTRY MUST BE OBTAINED IN ADVANCE PLEASE TELEPHONE: 01485 542822 FOR DETAILS
ONVIEW lOTH MARCH 2006 - 13TH MARCH 2006 IWA SHOW, NUREMBURG, GERMANY - HALL 4 STAND 337 KENSINGTON HOUSE Tuesday I 4th March 2006 Wednesday I 5th March 2006 Thursday l 6th March 2006
Enquiries: Nicholas Holt Christopher Beaumont Howard Dixon
I O:OOam - 8:00pm 9:00am - 7:00pm 9:00am - until end of sale
Media: Andrew Orr Accounts: Ron Rudd Helen Johnson Direct Line: 01485 545197
Administration: Sue Furminger Glyn Rudd Catherine Barry
Please note the collection is sold under the normal VAT rules and VAT at 17.5% will be charged on both the hammer price and buyer's premium VAT may be cancelled or refunded on export if strict conditions are met. Please contact our accounts department for details
Please note that e-mailed commission bids must be received by 6:00pm GMT the day before the sale no e-mailed commission bids will be accepted after this time Church Farm Barns - Wolferton - Norfolk - PE3 I 6HA Tel: 01485 542822 Fax: 01485 544463 Email: enquiries@holtandcompany.co.uk Website: www.holtandcompany.co.uk
THE ASPREY WORLD SERIES DOUBLE RIFLES This remarkable gun making project first began in 1985. The concept was to showcase British rifle making craft at its very highest level by creating a set of double rifles, one for each of the six continents. Each would be made in a calibre suited to the continent it represented and would be engraved with the quarry species and its historical indigenous peoples. The calibres chosen for each respective continent were: Africa .4 70 Nitro Express Asia .450 Nitro Express North America .375 Magnum South America .30-06 Australia .303 7x64mm Europe It took two years of searching to find six matching walnut stock blanks that provided both the necessary strength and aesthetic qualities required for this unique project, and having needed three years to reach the optimum level of seasoning it was only in 1987 that the first rifle was laid down. Every rifle would require over one thousand man hours to make, not including the fabulous engraving. The engraving alone would take one year per rifle, a task undertaken by Italian master engraver Gianfranco Pedersoli, one of the foremost pictorial engravers working today. The project came to completion seventeen years after it first began, this magnificent garniture the culmination of a combination of bold design and gun making excellence.
"/have followed the development of these guns fo r the past fifteen years and seen them all finished individually, but it was only last year I saw them fo r the first time assembled together for the presentation to Asprey. The result was magnificent. The realisation of so many thousands of hours of skilled work has brought together a really stunning and unique collection." Tony Durant-Pritchard - Asprey's Gunroom Manager
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*Lot 473
"AFRICA" ASPREY .470 NITRO EXPRESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 1276, 26in. nitro chopperlump barrels (London proof 1991) with scroll-engraved sight rib, gold-inlaid 'As prey' and with the calibre, leaf sights for 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 yards with gold-inlaid sighting lines, ramp-mounted bead foresight, heavily bolstered action with removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, rolled-edge triggerguard, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, automatic safety, elongated top-strap, pinless lockplates, the action, lockplates and furniture deeply carved with bold stylised acanthus scrolls, oak leaves and acorns on a matt background, surrounding and invading finely engraved scenes of native flora and fauna , the toplever with the portrait of an ibex, the left lockplate with two lions and the right lockplate with African elephant, both in savannah-like settings, the underside with native tribesmen and gold-inlaid with the maker's name, the triggerguard with a cheetah, the triggerplate signed 'G.F. Pedersoli' and gold-inlaid with the serial number, I 5in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, blank escutcheon, deeply carved steel heel and toe plates, the fore-end iron engraved en-suite, with a steel pistolgrip-cap gold-inlaid with a map of the continent, weight l llb. 1Ooz. ÂŁ50,000 - 70,000
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*Lot 474 "ASIA" ASPREY .450 (3 l/4IN) NITRO EXPRESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 1275, 26in. nitro chopperlump barrels with scroll-engraved sight rib, gold-inlaid 'Asprey' and with the calibre, leaf sights for 50, 100, 150, and 200 yards with gold-inlaid sighting lines, ramp-mounted bead foresight, heavily bolstered action with removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, rolled-edge triggerguard, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, automatic safety, elongated top-strap, pinless lockplates, the action, lockplates and furniture deeply carved with bold stylised acanthus scrolls, oak leaves and acorns on a matt background, surrounding and invading finely engraved scenes of native flora and fauna, the toplever with the portrait of a deer, the left lockplate with ovis in a mountainous setting, the right lockplate with a prowling tiger, the underside depicting Marco Polo on the silk road, gold-inlaid with the maker's name, the triggerguard with a leopard, the triggerplate signed 'G.F. Pedersoli' and gold-inlaid with the serial number, l 5in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, blank escutcheon, deeply carved steel heel and toe plates, the fore-end iron engraved en-suite, with a steel pistolgrip-cap gold-inlaid with a map of the continent, weight 11 lb. 5oz. ÂŁ40,000 - 60,000
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*Lot 475
"NORTH AMERICA" ASPREY .375 MAGNUM (RIMLESS) SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 1274, 26in. nitro chopperlump barrels (London proof 1988) with scroll-engraved sight rib, gold-inlaid 'Asprey' and with the calibre, leaf sights for l 00, 150, 200 and 250 yards with gold-inlaid sighting lines, ramp-mounted bead foresight, heavily bolstered action with removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, rolled-edge triggerguard, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, automatic safety, elongated top-strap, pinless lockplates, the action, lockplates and furniture deeply carved with bold stylised acanthus scrolls, oak leaves and acorns on a matt background, surrounding and invading finely engraved scenes of native flora and fauna, the toplever with the portrait of a deer, the left lockplate with bugling rocky mountain elk in a rangy setting, the right lockplate with prowling grizzly bears in a wooded landscape, the underside with Native American Indians hunting bison on horseback and gold-inlaid with the maker's name, the triggerguard with a lynx, the triggerplate signed 'G.F Pedersoli' and gold-inlaid with the serial number, 15in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, blank escutcheon, deeply carved steel heel and toe plates, the fore-end iron engraved en-suite, with a steel pistolgripcap gold-inlaid with a map of the continent, weight lOlb. 8oz. ÂŁ40,000 - 60,000
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*Lot 476
"SOUTH AMERICA" ASPREY .30-06 CALIBRE SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 1273, 26in. nitro chopperlump barrels (London proof 1989) with scroll-engraved sight rib, gold-inlaid 'Asprey' and with the calibre, leaf sights for I 00, 200, 250 and 300 yards with gold-inlaid sighting lines, ramp-mounted bead foresight, heavily bolstered action with removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, rolled-edge triggerguard, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, automatic safety, elongated top-strap, pinless lockplates, the action, lockplates and furniture deeply carved with bold stylised acanthus scrolls, oak leaves and acorns on a matt background, surrounding and invading finely engraved scenes of native flora and fauna, the toplever with the portrait of a white tail deer, the left lockplate with basking alligators in a swampland setting, the right lockplate with a jaguar at rest, also in a swamp setting, the underside with a scene of a Mayan king and priests engaging in ritual worship to the sky serpent with a backdrop of a temple pyramid, gold-inlaid with the maker's name, the triggerguard with a puma, the triggerplate signed 'G.F. Pedersoli' and gold-inlaid with the serial number, 15in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, blank escutcheon, deeply carved steel heel and toe plates, the fore-end iron engraved en-suite, with a steel pistolgrip-cap gold-inlaid with a map of the continent, weight 9lb. 8oz. ÂŁ40,000 - 60,000
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*Lot 477
"AUSTRALIA" ASPREY .303 CALIBRE SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 1271, 26in. nitro chopperlump barrels (London proof 1987) with scroll-engraved sight rib, gold-inlaid 'Asprey' and with the calibre, leaf sights for 100, 150, 200 and 300 yards with gold-inlaid sighting lines, ramp-mounted bead foresight, heavily bolstered action with removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, rolled-edge triggerguard, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, automatic safety, elongated top-strap, pinless lockplates, the action, lockplates and furniture deeply carved with bold stylised acanthus scrolls, oak leaves and acorns on a matt background, surrounding and invading finely engraved scenes of native flora and fauna, the toplever with the portrait of a sambar deer, the left lockplate with kangaroos in a bushland setting, the right lockplate with Asiatic buffalo at a billabong, the underside with Aboriginal hunters and gold-inlaid with the maker's name, the triggerguard with a dingo, the triggerplate signed 'G.F. Pedersoli' and gold-inlaid with the serial number, 15in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, blank escutcheon, deeply carved steel heel and toe plates, the fore-end iron engraved en-suite, with a steel pistolgrip-cap gold-inlaid with a map of the continent, weight Sib. l 5oz. ÂŁ40,000 - 60,000
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*Lot 478 "EUROPE" ASPREY 7x64 CALIBRE SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 1272, 26in. nitro chopperlump barrels (London proof 1989) with scroll-engraved sight rib, gold-inlaid 'Asprey' and with the calibre, leaf sights for 100, 200, 250 and 300 yards with gold-inlaid sighting lines, ramp-mounted bead foresight, heavily bolstered action with removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, rolled-edge triggerguard, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, automatic safety, elongated top-strap, pinless lockplates, the action, lockplates and furniture deeply carved with bold stylised acanthus scrolls, oak leaves and acorns on a matt background, surrounding and invading finely engraved scenes of native flora and fauna, the top lever with the portrait of a roe deer, the left lockplate with foraging wild boar in a woodland setting, the right lockplate with barking stag and hinds in a wooded landscape, the underside with sixteenth century hunters with crossbows, gold-inlaid with the maker's name, the triggerguard with a wild cat, the triggerplate signed 'G.F. Pedersoli' and gold-inlaid with the serial number, 15in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, blank escutcheon, deeply carved steel heel and toe plates, the fore-end iron engraved en-suite, with a steel pistolgripcap gold-inlaid with a map of the continent, weight 9lb. ÂŁ40,000 - 60,000
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The Gunmakers Company Charitable Trust Trustees: RM Mitchell (Chairman), GB Archer, J Browning, N J Holt D.Keith Neal, C Price, CJ R Purdey, R Wilkin Secretary: Col W J Chesshyre
The Gunmakers Company Charitable Trust has been established in order to provide financial support for the development of craft skills and the new technology associated with the gunmaking trade. We believe that by helping aspiring young gunmakers, and others associated with the trade, we will be able to play an important role in maintaining the reputation for excellence which British gunmaking enjoys worldwide. In addition we will have a more effective way of supporting welfare causes associated with the gun trade and with specialist welfare causes within the City of London.
Our determination to provide support in these ways has been strengthened by the response to a questionnaire which we recently sent to members of the gun trade and we have received unanimous support for our proposed initiative. We are aiming at building up an initial fund of ÂŁ1 million which will enable us to launch our awards and grant scheme, having attracted applicants countrywide and selected the most appropriate training resources to meet their special needs.
As political pressure on the field sports and gun control grow, the next decade will be a most important period for the gun trade and our Livery Company and we do hope, therefore, that you will be as generous as possible in supporting our new Charity. Everyone who gives ÂŁ 1,000 or more will be recognised as a Founder Donor, and those who can give donations of ÂŁ5,000 or more will be known as Founder Benefactors.
We very much hope that you will feel able to help us and any of the trustees will be glad to answer any questions that you may have about our proposals and recognition of your support.
HOLT'S
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Definitions
1. 'The Auctioneers' means Holt & Company Auctioneers Limited of Modern and Antique Guns. 'The Auctioneers ' means the representative of Holt & Company Auctioneers Limited of Modern and Antique Guns conducting the sale ; 'The hammer price' means the price at which any lot is knocked down to a buyer. 'Deliberate forgery ' means an imitation made with the intention to deceive as to authorship, origin , age or source, which is not so described in the catalogue and which has a value materially less than if it had been in accordance with the description in the catalogue.
13. Interest calculated at 2% above the base rate prevailing at National Westminster Bank PLC shall be payable at the Auctioneer's discretion as well as the purchase price on any accounts not settled within 14 working days following the sale. 14. Third party cheques will not be accepted in payment. 15.By making a bid , prospective purchasers acknowledge acceptance of these conditions . Conditions concerning vendors
Conditions concerning buyers
8. A buyer's premium of 17.5% (exclusive of VAT) will be added to the hammer price of all lots sold . 9. Buyers will be required to supply to the Auctioneers their names and addresses and if required , a deposit, immediately after the fall of the hammer. 1O.Commission bids will be executed free of charge but must reach the Auctioneers by 6pm on the day preceeding the sale. Telephone commission bids must be confirmed in writing . 11.The buyer shall not rely purely upon the catalogue description but shall satisfy himself as to the physical condition and the description of each lot. 12. No lot shall be removed until the purchaser has paid in full for it and for any other lots purchased.
22.A withdrawal fee of 25% plus VAT of the lower estimate (or reserve price, if there is one) shall be payable to the Auctioneers for any lot withdrawn prior to sale after it has been catalogued . 23.The vendor indemnify the Auctioneers against any claim relating to goods sold on his/her behalf.
The Auction
2. The highest bidder shall be the buyer. In the event of any dispute , the Auctioneer's decision shall be final. 3. The Auctioneer shall have absolute discretion to withdraw, alter or combine with any other lot all lots offered for sale. 4. All lots are offered subject to any reserve prices imposed by the vendor. 5. Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of the catalogues, the Auctioneers accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies contained therein . 6. Lots shall be held to be at the buyer's risk from the fall of the hammer. 7. Legal title shall not pass to the buyer until the purchase price together with the premium has been paid in full.
21.All lots will be sold at the Auctioneer's discretion unless written instructions to the contrary are received. Any reserve figure placed upon a lot shall be confidential between the vendor and the Auctioneers. In the event of a lot failing to reach its reserve , the Auctioneers shall beentitled to a commission of 5.9% (inclusive of VAT) of the reserve price, unless alternative charges have been previously agreed .
16.Goods delivered to the Auctioneers shall be deemed to be for sale by auction unless contrary instructions are given at the time or in advance. 17.All goods will be insured by the Auctioneers whilst in their custody or on their premises unless written instructions to the contrary are received . The value of the cover shall be the gross selling price of the goods, or in the case of unsold lots or lots withdrawn before sale, the auction value as estimated by the Auctioneers. The premium of insurance cover shall be £1.50 (+VAT) per £100. The minimum charge will be £1 .50 (+VAT) per Lot. 18.The Auctioneers shall not be responsible for accidental damage or loss unless directly caused by the negligence of their staff.
24.A vendor who enters for sale goods which are assets of a VAT registered business must disclose this fact to the Auctioneers. He/she must also provide his/her registered number and indicate whether of not he/she intends to operate the Special Scheme for Antiques and Works of Art. 25.The Auctioneers act as agents only and therefore shall not be accountable to the vendor for any sum until payment has been received from the buyer. Forgeries
26.Should any lot prove to be a deliberate forgery, the Auctioneers, upon receipt of written notice of this fact within one year of the sale, shall rescind the sale or repurchase the lot for an amount equal to the hammer price plus premium (inclusive of VAT) , provided that:
19.The vendor authorises the Auctioneer to deduct commission (at a minimum of £1 O per lot) and any other proper expenses from the hammer price. He/She also accepts the Auctioneers right to retain any premium paid by the purchaser.
(a) The lot is returned in the same condition as at the time of the sale;
20.The Auctioneers shall have the right to photograph and illustrate any lot consigned for sale and to use such photographs at their discretion. The vendor accepts without further consultation that a charge per illustrated lot may be made towards photographic expenses. The charge imposed will be at the Auctioneers discretion and will not exceed £300. No charge will be made for any unsold lot.
(c) The general opinion of scholars and experts at the time of the sale would have indicated that the lot was a deliberate forgery ; or
(b) Written proof of the forgery accompanies the lot and the buyer demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the Auctioneers that in light of the catalogue description the lot is a deliberate forgery ;
(d) Scientific processes in existence at the time of the sale would be established that the lot was a deliberate forgery. The benefit of this condition is not assignable.