Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
12 bore 'Climax', Sidelock Non-ejector
No. 7737
Date of manufacture: 1878-87

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Heritage Guns' Comment

This is a particularly fine example of the ‘Climax’ sidelock manufactured by this pre-eminent 'Maker as their first hammerless shotgun, built on the famous Scott & Baker patent no. 761. The lovely, rebrowned damascus barrels have been successfully reproofed for 2 ¾” nitro, giving the gun a whole new lease of life and versatility. What is unusual is the quality and condition of the action and wood: touches of original hardening colour are apparent is protected areas
and the 14 ¾” original highly figured stock is a classic bit of old French walnut.
With its interceptor sears and excellent 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 of Scott & Baker design and features: ‘Leg of Mutton’ lockplates;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Back action, 8 pin locks with ‘Patent Block Safety’ interceptor sears;
Gold washed tumblers;
Patent, hooked cocking rods;
Breech face 'Patent Gas Check';
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a ‘Scott Spindle’
and Deeley & Edge forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 14oz
Engraving style
Best foliate scroll with floral detail and naïve game scenes on lock plates a action bar. Gold inlaid SAFE. The action flats are stamped ‘No.761 PATENT – 1756’ in a diamond and ‘PATENT ACTION’. Top rib engraved with Maker’s address and also ‘WINNERS OF ALL THE ‘FIELD’ RIFLE TRIALS LONDON 1883’
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs Rear trigger 4 ¼  lbs.
The original damascus barrels are 30" in length, chambered for 2 3/4" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed ‘dovetail’ construction with soft soldered ribs.
There are a few small marks in the otherwise bright bores.
Top rib is of the smooth, concave game type. 
Birmingham proof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2019.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

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


Right Barrel

18.7mm (0.736")
0.738"
0.020-"
0.000" (Cyl)

Left Barrel

18.6mm (0.732")
0.734"
0.020+"
0.011" (IC)

The original Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are both crafted from highly figured walnut. The stock features a vacant white metal oval, is finished with a horn butt plate secured with engraved screws and is lightly cast off for a right-handed shot. The forend wood carries a finely engraved steel forend tip and has one small inlet repair to its edge.
Highly Figured Walnut

The 22 lines per inch chequering has been freshened to its original back-action sidelock 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 3/4"
15"
14 7/8"
15 3/8"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 11/16"
2 1/8"
Cast-off at Comb
Cast-off at Heel
1/8" (approximate)
3/16" (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:

Scott's gas check patent no. 617 of 1882;
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
 'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
 Scott & Baker cocking patent no. 761 of 1878;
 
Needham & Hinton interceptor sears patent no. 706 of 1879;
 
Deeley & Edge forend catch patent no 1422 of 1873.