I know next to nothing about the English gun trade and less about its laws, but this is interesting.
If I understand Holt's advertisement, the barrels of No. 1 are out of proof and can be sold only if cut so that they are unusable unless sleeved. The buyer would purchase only the stock, fore end and action at auction, and would have to purchase the cut barrels separately. Then the purchaser would have the barrels sleeved and proofed. At the same time, he would purchase the No. 2 gun and have its barrels blacked to match the No. 1 gun. The wood on both guns is well worn and could stand recheckering and refinishing. All this could run to a bit of money, but something quite unique would come of it.
It would be interesting to know for whom the pair was made. Perhaps the guns were made for a younger son, who had the introductions to society and the invitations to driven shoots but not the income to go first cabin. Guns and cartridges could be managed, but engraving had to wait. Then he failed to return from the Great War, his widow gave one gun each to his sons, and Nos. 1 & 2 went their separate ways.
