VaC,
The H&H .303 is a royal by the look of it. You can confirm by calling H&H London gunroom 011-44-207-499-4411)and asking that they confirm date on their books.
As for value, here is an H&H Grade 2 s/n 17591 that is for sale in Christies upcoming 12 November auction. This rifle would have been made in late 1897 or 1898. It has been tarted up with good scroll engraving and claw mounts for a scope added. NOTE: Christies has NOT described the state of the rifling inside the bore.
You see the Christies estimate. A Royal would go for more.
Regards
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A .303 BACK ACTION NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE-BARRELLED SPORTING RIFLE BY HOLLAND & HOLLAND, NO. 17591
Estimate(Set Currency) £7,000 - £9,000
($12,222 - $15,714)
Track Lot Place Bid Sale Information
Sale 7547
exceptional and fine sporting guns and rifles
12 November 2008
London, King Street
Lot Description
A .303 BACK ACTION NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE-BARRELLED SPORTING RIFLE BY HOLLAND & HOLLAND, NO. 17591
Back action with best quality scroll engraving, coin finish, gold inlaid cocking indicators, automatic safety with stalking latch, extended top strap, the figured stock with pistolgrip (engraved cap), cheekpiece and horn buttplate, lever latch forend, the barrels with short matt sight rib, block mounted leaf sights and ramp mounted bead foresight with detachable hood, the breech ends mounted with a Zeiss Diavari-D 1x telescopic sight in quickly detachable mounts.
Weight (with telescope) 10lb. 11oz., (without telescope) 9lb. 7oz., 14 5/8in. stock, 27 7/8in. barrels, nitro proof
In Maker's oak and leather case with label (all straps missing)
