Lot 1300: A pair of best quality 12-bore sidelocks by Greenfield & Son

Holt’s Auctioneers is selling a pair of best quality lightweight 12-bore self-opening sidelock ejector shotguns made in 1980 by Kent gunmaker Greenfield & Son. Holt’s Auctioneers’ Chris Beaumont revealed that the pair was made for the Alec Greenfield, the then owner: “A perfect example to prove that best quality isn’t exclusive to just the familiar big names in gunmaking. This pair of Greenfield guns, made for the then owner of H.S. Greenfields (of Canterbury) are almost certainly London made and show all the quality and finish you'd expect from a best London gun.”

The guns feature 26in. nitro chopperlump barrels (London proofed for 1980), ribs engraved 'GREENFIELD & SON. UPPER BRIDGE STREET, CANTERBURY' and gold-inlaid '1' and '2' at the breech ends,

2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 1/2 choke, Holland & Holland self-opening systems, toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, rolled-edge triggerguards, best bold scrolling acanthus engraving on a matted background, the lockplates with beaded bordering, the undersides with shell motifs and with ovals engraved 'GREENFIELD & SON. CANTERBURY. KENT', retaining virtually full original colour-hardening and finish, 15 1/4in. figured stocks with diamond grips, weight 6lb. 4oz., in a lightweight leather motor case with canvas and leather outer.

Estimate: £12,000-16,000 Holt’s Auctioneers’ next auction in London is on Thursday 16th March.