Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
12 bore 'Royal' Bar Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 12319 No 1 of Pair
Date of manufacture: 1889

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Heritage Guns' Comment Holland & Holland records show that this gun was finished as No 1 of a pair in 1889 for 'Lambton' but later sold to 'Crisp' and is a very lovely example of Holland & Holland's 'flag ship' gun. On the back of the action is stamped 'JR' which tells us that this gun was at least actioned in the famous workshops of John Robertson, later proprietor of Boss & Co. It is very likely that Robertson actually completed this gun in its entirety for Hollands as he was well known for screwing and stocking a huge number of guns for the London trade. The history of the barrels is somewhat confused by the numerous proof marks through the ages but it appears that it was sleeved in 1960 and subsequently chambered for 70mm cartridges and reproofed in 2010. The restocking is obviously quite recent but we have no indication of just when it was done. However it is the work of a professional and very experienced stocker and when we acquired the gun, carried the traditional swept comb of an H&H gun. This would lead one to assume that the work was done by a stocker with considerable experience of H&H stocks, maybe even an ex-H&H worker. With its excellent weight, interceptor sears, long stock and barrel dimensions, this gun would make a fine target or game gun for the discerning shooter. Presented in its Leather and Brass case with some accessories and a reproduction trade label. WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

The action is of combined Holland & Robertson design and features:
Bar action, 'Dip Edge', nine pin locks with bolstered tumbler pivots;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Breech face 'Gas Checks';
'Patent Block Safety' interceptor sears;
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle';
Top rib extension providing a 3rd bite;
Roger's cocking levers;
Holland & Robertson's patent ejector
and Anson's push rod forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 8oz
Engraving style Best Fine Bouquet & Scroll. '"THE ROYAL" PATENT SAFETY HAMMERLESS EJECTOR' on underside of action; Top lever engraved 'PATENT EJECTOR'; Gold inlaid 'SAFE' at safety slide.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3lbs Rear trigger 4lbs
The TIG sleeved damascus/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 sunken, concave game type.
Bores are clean and bright.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2010.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:

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;
Needham & Hinton interceptor sears patent no. 706 of 1879;
Holland & Robertson's ejector patent no. 11623 of 1887;
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Scott's top extension patent no. 1902 of 1875;
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.