A single-barrelled ‘kipplauf’ rifle by Hartmann & Weiss

Chris Beaumont explains why he is excited that Holt’s has been consigned this rifle: “I’ve eulogised about the quality of Hartmann & Weiss sporting rifles before – and I’m genuinely thrilled to be able to do so again, on an example of what is for me the most graceful of all sporting rifles. The single barrelled ‘kipplauf’ is to my mind the epitome of a hunting piece, its very design as elegant and beautiful as the philosophy of having just that one shot, the perfect shot. It has an almost metaphysical quality which no other type of rifle quite matches. This Hartmann & Weiss is for me the spirit of St. Hubertus incarnate.”

The rifle has a 24 1/16in. nitro octagonal to round barrel with a raised matt rib with open sights and ramped bead fore-sight with florally-engraved flip-up moonsight, the breech end is engraved with the makers name and calibre designation and also with bold acanthus scrollwork and mounted with a Zeiss Diasta-D 6x42 telescopic sight in quickly-detachable mounts with the tube engraved 'HARTMANN & WEISS' and the objective bell engraved with the serial number.

The quadruple-grip action has finely carved side bolsters, a manual safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, a gold-inlaid cocking-indicator, chequered set triggers and a rolled-edge triggerguard. The action, lockplate, dummy sideplate and furniture is finely carved in high relief with scrolling acanthus foliage on a finely matted background, the plates engraved with the makers name in scrolling banners and with ornate decorative bordering, the underside with a further banner inscribed 'HARTMANN & WEISS. HAMBURG', the triggerplate is signed 'F. GULLERT', and the rifle as a whole retains virtually full original colour-hardened finish with the triggerguard tang gold-inlaid with the serial number.

It has a 15in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with a cheekpiece, a finely carved and colour-hardened pistolgrip-cap, colour-hardened sling swivels with floral cut screwheads and finely carved and colour-hardened steel heel and toe plates, the fore-end is fitted with Deeley & Edge patent release catch, the catch and iron engraved en suite and with horn finial, weight 7lb. 15oz. Estimate: £15,000-20,000 For sale in London on Thursday 17th March.

Holt’s Auctioneers, Church Farm Barns, Wolferton, Norfolk PE31 6HA Telephone: +44 (0) 1485 542822 Fax: +44 (0) 1485 544463 www.holtsauctioneers.com