Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
12 bore 'No. 2' Back Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 14908
Date of manufacture: 1892

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Heritage Guns' Comment

This is fine example of the well-known and loved 'No. 2' sidelock manufactured in various guises by this pre-eminent 'Maker from the early 1880 right through to the new century and beyond. Most examples of 'No 2' model appear to have been made up in Birmingham but this one carries the trademark interceptor sears of the John Robertson workshops so it is very likely it originates in London.
The gun has been generously refurbished and modernised in recent times with replacement barrels by the Maker (1954-72), a new stock and forend and conversion to ejector, based on Purdey's version of the 'over-centre' mechanism.
The barrels have been re-proofed for 2 ¾" nitro cartridges and the dimensions are excellent.
With its interceptor sears and excellent stock dimensions, this gun would make a classy target or game gun for the discerning shooter.

WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

The action is principally of Thomas Perkes design and features:
'Dip Edge' lockplates;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Robertson's interceptor sears;
Back action locks;
Perkes' cocking rods;
Breech face 'Patent Gas Check';
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle'
and Deeley's forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 10oz
Engraving style Best Foliate Scroll
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ¾ lbs Rear trigger 4lbs.
The replacement steel barrels are 28" 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 reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2014.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
18.6mm (0.732")
0.730"
0.026"
0.011" (IC)
Left Barrel
18.6mm (0.732")
0.731"
0.027"
0.020" (Mod)

The replacement Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are both crafted from straight grain walnut. The stock features a white metal oval engraved 'R.W.G.T' and is finished with a ¾" leather covered recoil pad. The forend wood carries a neat, engraved steel forend tip.

Replacement Walnut Stock & Forend

The fine 26 lines per inch chequering has been cut to normal back-action sidelock pattern. The stock is cast off for a right-handed shot.
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
15"
15"
15"
15 3/8"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 3/8"
1 5/8"
2 5/16"
Cast-off at Comb
Cast-off at Heel
1/8" approx
1/4" approx

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:
Scott's gas check patent no. 617 of 1882;
 'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Perkes' cocking rod patent no. 1968 of 1878;
Deeley's forend fastener patent no. 1422 of 1873.