HOLTS Auctioneers of Fine Modern and Antique Church Farm Barns ● Wolferton ● Norfolk ● PE31 6HA Telephone: 01485 542822 Fax: 01485 544463 Email: [email protected]

Fine Modern & Antique Guns and Related Items Monday 21st & Tuesday 22nd June 2021

EXTRA LOTS AND AMENDMENTS JUNE 2021

Lot 256 – Please note estimate should read £1,800 – 2,200

Lot 268- A GERMAN PRE WORLD WAR TWO NATIONAL ASSOCIATION KNIFE, STANDARD MODEL, UNSIGNED, circa 1937, with 13 1/2in. single-edged blade etched on the right side with running deer in a woodland setting together with standing stags and hunting dogs, the reverse similar but with running stags and standing boar and deer, silver plated shell guard, cross-guard moulded in the form of hooves turned forwards and aft, natural stag grip, the front with applied National Hunting Association silver emblem, carved pommel-cap with moulded acorn finial, complete with its blue- green leather scabbard with silver plated mounts and acorn shaped frog button, the chape mount engraved 'JAGDKLUB HANNOVER WURFTAUBENSCHIESSEN, 9.5.37' (possibly added later), 20 1/4in. overall in scabbard Estimate £1500-2000

Lot 415 – Please note this lot has been withdrawn

Lot 527 – Please note the barrel is not frozen but the action is at fault.

Lot 1008 – Please note the counter dial reads ‘GROUSE’ not ‘RABBITS’

Lot 1017A CARTIER, PARIS A BOXED GENTLEMAN'S STEEL AND GOLD CALENDAR AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH, MODEL 'CALIBRE', serial no. 470387RX, with Cartier's own 27 jewel highly finished automatic movement, off-silver dial with black roman numerals bordered in bright silver, luminous sword hands, sub-dial for running seconds at '6', date window at '3', outer minute tramway and secret signature at '10'. 42mm brushed stainless-steel circular case with plain bevelled 18k gold bezel, buttressed winder set with a sapphire, glazed exhibition back, Cartier leather strap with deployant buckle, together with its maker's presentation box with some papers. Estimate £3500-4500

Lot 1020A

PERSONALISED REGISTRATION 'C12 ' held on retention certificate £700-900

Lot 1026 - Please note the serial number on the watch is different to the serial number on the warranty and paperwork.

Lot 1096 Please note this is Section 7:3 eligible only

Lot 1135 S1 **

KONGSBERG VAPENFABRIK, NORWAY A RARE KONGSBERG VAPENFABRIK 6.5x55MM SWEDISH 'KRAG JØRGENSEN M/94/43 STOMPERUD' BOLT-MAGAZINE CARBINE, serial no. NC 1172, dated1944, 24in. nitro reproved (in 2021) barrel with tall block-mounted blade fore-sight, fore-sight (protector hood missing), adjustable tangent sight graduated from 1- 2200, marked with the Waffenamt stamp under the handguard, receiver ring marked '1944' and with the Kongsberg arsenal marking, internal rotary box magazine with downward pivoting loading gate and inspection trap, manual bar safety with thumb cutout, manual cocking knob, three-quarter length stock with added chequered pistolgrip, the fore-part with aperture for short cleaning rod and insert repairs, two barrel bands, the first band with sling swivel, canvas and leather sling with quick-detachable front-mount, second barrel band with stacking hook, bayonet lug, 14in. pull including steel buttplate with central hinged trap, non-matching numbers, weight 8lb. 14oz. Estimate £1500-2000

During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, the German forces demanded that Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk build weapons for the German armed forces. They placed large orders for the Krag– Jørgensen, the Colt M1914 (license-produced Colt M1911), and 40 mm anti-aircraft guns. However, production was kept down by sabotage and slow work by the employees. Out of the total of 13,450 ordered by the Germans, only between 3,350 and 3,800 were actually delivered. Early deliveries were identical to the M1894, but with German proof marks and substandard workmanship compared to the M1894 produced earlier. During the war the model was altered to be externally more like the German Kar98K. This was achieved by shortening the barrel by 15 cm (6 inches) down to 61.3 cm (24 inches) and shortening the stock by 18 cm (7 inches), and adding a front sight hood similar to that of the Kar98K. These shortened Krag–Jørgensen's were known in Norway as the Stomperud-Krag. A number of the Krag–Jørgensens manufactured for the Germans have been described as "bastards", created from mismatched parts left over from previous production.

Stomperud is the name of a popular Norwegian comic character from the era; a well-meaning and naive enlisted soldier.

Lot 1136 S1 *

KONGSBERG VAPENFABRIKK, NORWAY A RARE 6.5X55MM SWEDISH 'KRAG JØRGENSEN M1906 GUTTERKARABIN (BOY'S CARBINE)' BOLT- MAGAZINE CADET CARBINE, serial no. 1095, dated 1907, 20 1/2in. nitro reproved barrel (in 2021) with tall block-mounted blade fore-sight, adjustable tangent sight graduated from 1 - 2200, receiver ring marked '1907'and the Kongsberg Arsenal marking, internal rotary box magazine with downward pivoting loading gate and inspection trap, manual flag safety with thumb cutout marked 'S' and 'AA', manual cocking knob, three-quarter length semi-pistolgrip stock, with single barrel band, 13in. pull including steel buttplate, sling swivels, matching numbers, weight 7lb. 1oz. Estimate £1200-1600

The M1906 Guttekarabin (boy's carbine) was a simplified M1895 carbine, with a shortened stock and no hand guard. They were issued to schools in Norway, and used to train boys aged 14 to 17 to shoot. Special "school ammunition" was developed to allow shooting in restricted areas. A total of 3,321 were made, of which some 315 were later modified to fire .22 Long ammunition. Shooting was on the syllabus for Norwegian teens until World War II.

Lot 1250 – Please note firing mechanism at fault and needs addressing before use - sometimes will fire on closing.

Lot 1266 - please note this Lot is being sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament only

Lot 1266 WESTLEY RICHARDS A FINE .425 MAGNUM EXPRESS SINGLE-TRIGGER 1897 PATENT DETACHABLE-LOCK EJECTOR , serial no. 17808, for 1921, 26in. nitro barrels (proofed Cordite 65, 410 Max) with finely file cut sight rib and bold acanthus scrollwork to the forward ramp section, open sights with four folding leaf sights, white metal inlaid sight lines and marked for 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 Yds, block-mounted bead fore- sight with flip-up moonsight and hinged folding protector hood, sunken rib engraved 'WESTLEY RICHARDS 23 CONDUIT ST. GUN MAKERS BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY . REX ET IMP.' and with carved shell design and acanthus scroll engraving towards the muzzle, the under rib with similar acanthus and shell embellishments at the muzzle, the tubes engraved 'W.R. .425 MAGNUM EXPRESS', '65 GRS CORDITE 410 GRS. BULLET', treble-grip action with striker discs, Westley Richards patent toplever engraved 'WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT ONE TRIGGER', bolted automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'BOLTED' and 'SAFE' details, J. Deeley and L.B. Taylor patent hand- detachable locks, patent no. 17731 of 28th July 1897 with improved 'lighter pull-off' modification, patent no. 10567 of 7th May 1907, use number 2727, locks with engine turned finish, L.B. Taylor patent hinged floorplate, patent no. 23088 of 30th October 1908, L.B. Taylor modified 'two pull' selective single trigger, patent no. 26659 of November 17th 1909, use number 470, triggerplate mounted selector switch with gold-inlaid 'L' and 'R' detail, profusely engraved with bold acanthus scrollwork, the floorplate with a single vignette of an Indian elephant, the triggerguard with a prowling tiger, retaining traces of original colour-hardening, 14 3/4in. well-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, engraved steel pistolgrip-cap (with trap), sling swivels and including 1/2in. wooden extension and 3/4in. rubber recoil pad, fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch and horn finial, weight 11lb. 13oz., in its brass-cornered leather case, the lid outer initialled 'C.N.' £25,000 – 30,000

Provenance: The vendor has kindly informed us this was formerly the property of his Grandfather, Claude Nicholson.

Brigadier Claude Nicholson is known the world over for his heroic defence of Calais in May 1940. After the invasion of the Low Countries and France by the Germans, the was rapidly pushed back and forced to evacuate at Dunkirk. To assist with the evacuation, Nicholson and his brigade were sent to Calais in May 1940 to keep the port open. At Calais, Nicholson with his troops and a certain number of French troops numbering about 4000 in total, managed to hold up two German armoured divisions long enough to permit the evacuation from Dunkirk. On the afternoon of May 24th 1940, two hundred German tanks besieged Calais and it was clear that the outer perimeter could no longer be held. However, it was held until darkness fell and maintained the next day. The following day the Germans passed a flag of truce to Brigadier Nicholson but he refused to surrender stating, “Tell the Germans that if they want Calais, they will have to fight for it”. He had in his possession a message from Anthony Eden, the Secretary for War, telling him that every day he continued to hold out was of the greatest help to the B.E.F. Nicholson had every intention of fulfilling the trust placed in him. He also received a telegram from Winston Churchill stating that “Every hour you continue to exist is of the greatest help to the B.E.F.” Churchill also added “Evacuation will not (repeat not) take place.” Winston Churchill later wrote that he felt physically sick after sending this telegram knowing that it condemned Nicholson and his men to death or certain capture. An incessant artillery bombardment accompanied by relays of dive bombers meant that his positions were reduced to a shambles and Nicholson and his remaining soldiers had no option but to eventually surrender. It is no exaggeration to say that the safety of the B.E.F. was due in large part to the gallantry and fortitude of Nicholson and his soldiers who held the town for four days against overwhelming odds, fighting to the last and that his leadership and resolution reinforced his troops splendid spirit. Nicholson and his remaining men were taken prisoner but, unfortunately, he died in his POW camp on the 26th June 1943. Claude Nicholson was born on the 2nd July 1898, the son of a distiller R.F. Nicholson of Woodcott, Hampshire. Educated at Winchester and Sandhurst he was gazetted to the 16th Lancers in 1916 and served in France and Belgium for the remainder of World War One. He then served on Palestine and Egypt and commanded his regiment in India between 1938 and 1939. He was awarded Companion of the Order of the Bath for his services at Calais in 1940. Nicholson was portrayed by the actor Richard Glover in the 2017 film about Winston Churchill, Darkest Hour. Churchill’s telegram to Nicholson features in the film.

Lot 1381 – Please note the No.3 gun has a second set of 28in. barrel ( proof for 1962), the rib engraved ‘WILLIAM EVANS. 67A. ST. JAMES’S STREET. LONDON.’, and gold-inlaid ‘3*’ at the breech end, 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. full choke in both

Lot 1375 – Please note estimate should read £2,500 – 3,000

Lot 1384 S2 WESTLEY RICHARDS A PAIR OF 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 15461 / 2, for 1896, 30in. nitro reproved bold damascus barrels, the ribs engraved 'WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170. NEW BOND ST. LONDON.', and gold-inlaid '1' and '2' at the breech ends, 2 1/2in. chambers, the extractors individually serial numbered, bored approx. true cyl. and 3/4 choke, some pits, scroll-back treble-grip actions, Westley Richards patent toplevers engraved 'WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT EJECTOR' and gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, the action flats marked with ANSON & DEELEY'S PATENT' and use numbered 14292 and 14293, and 'DEELEY'S PATENT EJECTOR' use numbered 6632 and 6633 (for Deeley patent ejector No. 4289 of 26th March 1886), No.2 action at fault, bold acanthus scroll engraving with ornate bordering, the undersides with decorative shell motifs, the triggerguards with small game scenes of pheasant and grouse, retaining very slight traces of original colour-hardening, 15 1/4in. figured stocks including 1/2in. wooden extensions (inked figuring) with steel heel and toe plates, weight 6lb. 9oz., in their brass- cornered leather bound oak case £5000 - 7000 Provenance: The vendor has kindly informed us this pair were formerly the property of his Grandfather, Claude Nicholson. Please see Lot 1266 for provenance footnote

Lot 1401 - Please not this lot is not subject to VAT on the hammer

Lot 1402 - Please not this lot is not subject to VAT on the hammer

Lot 1404 – Please note the stock is cracked and repaired at head

Lot 1404 - Please not this lot is not subject to VAT on the hammer

Lot 1411 – Please note the barrels of this lot are actually Damascus

Lot 1411 - Please not this lot is not subject to VAT on the hammer

Lot 1417 – has been withdrawn

Lot 1427 – Please note extractors require attention

Lot 1461 – Please not this lot is not subject to VAT on the hammer

Lot 1462 - Please not this lot is not subject to VAT on the hammer

Lot 1478 – has been withdrawn

Lot 1509 – Please note minor cracks at hand and possible repair

Lot 1602 – please note the bottom barrel is bulged at muzzle

Lot 1751 - Please not this lot is not subject to VAT on the hammer

Lot 1807 – Please note the stock is cast on for the left shoulder