Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
20 bore Bar Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 8076  
Date of manufacture: 1884

       
 

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Heritage Guns' Comment

This gun was originally built as a 16b non-ejector but was TIG sleeved to 20b in 2000.
Referred to in the order book as ’16 bore bar action top lever No.2 hammerless treble grip’, it is an example of the transitional model between the Climax and the 1st Type Royals.
This model is quite rare and I have only ever handled one other which can be viewed in my website Back Catalogue, stock reference 149. The lockwork is the same as the early Royal bar actions, including the use of the Needham & Hinton interceptor sear and stamped internally ‘BLOCK PATENT SAFETY’: only the external shape and style of the lock is different.
The action itself is of Thomas Perkes design which he later sold to W&C Scott from whom I suspect this gun originated, possibly ‘in the white’, to be finished in London.
The conversion to ejector seems to date from around the turn of the C19th and features a mechanism based on the Southgate or AB ejector as coined by Holland & Holland. Interestingly, it uses a trip mechanism that Henry Holland patented in 1893 and that suggests that the conversion was done ‘in house’.
The restocking is thought to be rather more recent and the lightly figured, straight grain wood is strong and has good dimensions.
With its interceptor sears, great barrels and excellent stock dimensions, this gun would make a safe and attractive target or game gun for the discerning shooter.
The gun balances on the hinge pin.
Presented in its leg of mutton case.

Fantastic value at only $8950

On Consignment in USA with MacNab Fine Firearms


The action is of Perkes’ design and features:
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
‘Block Patent Safety’ interceptor sears;
Bar action, 9 pin sidelocks;
Patent cocking rods;
Patent Gas Check;
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a ‘Scott Spindle’;
Top rib extension with a 3rd bite;
Over-centre ejector
and Deeley forend catch.
Note: Due to slight irregularities in the LH chamber wall,
this ejection of this gun is sensitive to some cartridge casings.
Gun weight 6lb 5oz
Engraving style Finely executed border. Gold inlaid ‘SAFE’ at safety slide.
Locks signed ‘HOLLAND & HOLLAND’.
The action flats are stamped ‘PAT -1868 – 78 No. 2’, use number 469 and ‘PATENT ACTION’.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs Rear trigger 4 ¼ lbs.
The TIG sleeved steel to damascus barrels are 27 ¾ " in length, chambered for 2 3/4" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed ‘dovetail’ construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of the smooth, concave game type. 
London proof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2000.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9"
from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction


Right Barrel
15.9mm  (0.626)
0.622"
0.030"
0.011" (IC)

Left Barrel
15.9mm  (0.626)
0.622"
0.029"
0.019" (Mod)

The replacement Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend (probably original) are both crafted from lightly figured, straight grain walnut. The stock features a white metal oval engraved ‘MP’(?), well defined drop points, a ¾” leather covered recoil pad and is lightly cast off for a right-handed shot.
The forend wood carries an engraved steel forend tip and Deeley forend catch.


Lightly Figured Walnut

The 22 lines per inch chequering has been freshened to its original pattern.
The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface.

Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:

Pull to Heel
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
14 1/2 "
14 5/8"
14 5/8"
15"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 7/16"
1 9/16"
1 7/8"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
Cast at Toe
1/8" (approximate)
3/8" (approximate)
 3/8" (approximate)

For the purposes of these measurements, 'Drop at Face' is the 'drop' measurement taken on a line perpendicular to the
line joining the trigger and centre of the butt at approximately 8" from the trigger (front trigger on a double trigger gun).

Patents Exhibited include:

'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
 'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
 Scott's top extension patent no. 1902 of 1875;
 Perkes' cocking rod patent no. 1968 of 1878;
   Scott's gas check patent no. 617 of 1882;
 Needham & Hinton interceptor sears patent no. 706 of 1879:
Holland’s ejector patent no. 800 of 1893;
 Deeley’s forend catch patent no 1422 of 1873.