Arms, Armor and Militaria

.303 British. 26" barrel length. SN: 17578. Blued barrel with remaining parts exhibiting a case colored finish set in highly figured walnut semi-pistol grip stock with ebony forend, and rich engraving to the frame and small parts. Single shot falling block Holland & Woodward No. 2 action rifle featuring a flat top barrel with engraved matting in front of the cutouts for rear and front sight dovetails which are filled in with engraved and gold inlaid blanks. The frame flanks display HOLLAND/&/HOLLAND maker marking with the lower frame further marked PATENT/No 17578. The buttplate is checkered and engraved with spiral scroll bordered banners enclosing the marks of the trio of smiths responsible for the restoration. The upper banner frames the engraved upper securing screw and reads RECREATED BY/S.R. HEILMANN & D. HENSLEY/1998, indicating it was rebuilt by Stephen Heilmann and Darwin Hensley. Lower banner appropriately encloses the lower securing screw and reads ENGRAVER/T.L. WALLACE, for Terril "Terry" Lee Wallace. The engraved enhancements include spiral scrollwork borders to the operating lever and frame with further spiral scroll banners featuring beaded grounds, Arabesque accents, and inlaid gold embellishments to all parts. Serial number is inlaid in gold on the upper tang with the SAFE and FIRE marks likewise enhanced. Underside of the barrel and forward frame both show the number 19578 with the barrel additionally marked 940. Stockmaker mark D HENSLEY appears on the interior of the forend. The rifle features matching engraving on the two-piece claw mount and scope rings, and currently mounts a LEUPOLD 1.5-5X telescopic sight.

Stephen R. Heilmann began his gunmaking career in 1970, as a student at the Colorado School of Trades. In 1973, he opened his first business called simply The Gunworks, in Grass Valley, California. He quickly established his excellence in the field, so much so, that by 1980 it became necessary to establish a larger business to keep up with demand. In 1985, he joined the American Custom Gunmakers Guild, and continued to repair, rebuild, and produce custom guns until his passing on September 15, 2024. This rifle displays some of the very finest qualities of his work by superbly blending the replacement barrel with the original action and matching the style both of English originals, the exquisite details of Hensley's work, and the bold gold embellishments added by Wallace.

Terril Lee Wallace, far better known as Terry, was a master engraver, a charter member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild, and a charter member of the Firearm Engravers Guild of America. A keen hunter and outdoorsman, Wallace was certainly comfortable wielding firearms as well as embellishing them. In the case of this lot, the gold highlights occasionally appear on period originals, but the bold style produces an appearance that is thoroughly modern and yet disarmingly traditional. Elaborate gold borders ensure there can be no mistaking the rifle's English pedigree with the precisely executed engraving paying homage to one of the most coveted names in firearms history.

Darwin Hensley's work, both as a stockmaker and gunmaker, commands deep respect in the gunmaking community. He was a member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild, and founded Hensley and Hensley, which still persists after his retirement. While there were other competing stockmakers willing to use elaborately figured walnut, and who eagerly displayed their skills by working sumptuous carved designs into their work, Hensley's stocks bear a subtle grace exemplified in this lot. Cleanly executed borders and checkering highlight beautifully polished walnut with a vibrant natural grain. {MODERN}