Holland&Holland Royal Sidelock Ejector
Description:
SALE PENDING 8/18!
Holland & Holland
98 New Bond Street, London
12 Bore ‘Royal’ Bar Action, Sidelock Ejector
S/N: 14169
Date of Manufacture: 1891
This is very fine example of Holland & Holland’s ‘flag ship’ shotguns from the last quarter of the 19th Century and is in unusually good and original condition for its age. As with so many older guns, the Damascus barrels were ‘soft solder sleeved’ by Wesley Richards in 1970. In 2009, Heritage Guns of England re-sleeved the barrels using the so-called ‘Invisible Sleeving’ TIG welding method and had the barrels re-proofed for 2-3/4 inch (70mm) nitro powder cartridges at the London Proof House.
The Holland & Holland records show that this shotgun was finished in 1891 for a ‘Mr. Christy’, as the number two gun of a two gun ‘matched set’, who specified cylinder chokes in both barrels. This was not unusual in those days when shooters were not so preoccupied by choke constriction. The new sleeved barrels are choked English ¼ & ½ (0.010” & 0.020”) in keeping with more modern practice. With its interceptor sears, three point bolting and excellent barrel dimensions, this shotgun will make a very safe and classy target or upland game gun for the discerning shooter.
The action, is of combined Rogers and Scott design and features; Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide, Bar Action locks, Roger’s cocking levers, Breech face ‘gas checks’, ‘Patent Safety Lock’ Interceptor Sears, Top lever operating a ‘Purdey Bolt’ by way of a ‘Scott Spindle’, Top rib extension provided by a 3rd bite, Holland & Robertson’s patent ejector and split extractors and Anson’s push rod for-end catch.
Gun weight is 6 pounds 13-1/2 oz. Engraving style is Best Bouquet & Fine Scroll. Carved fences with bold acanthus leaf design. Gold inlaid ‘2’ on the top lever and barrel rib, engraved ‘2’ on forend iron and trigger guard. Trigger pulls measure approximately; Front trigger 3-1/2 lbs, Rear trigger 4-1/2 lbs.
The Damascus to Steel TIG sleeved barrels are 28 inches in length, chambered for 2-3/4 inch (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed ‘dovetail’ lump construction with soft soldered ribs. The top rib is of the smooth, concave game type.
Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication;
Nominal Proof Bore Diameter 9” Minimum Wall Choke
Size from Breech Thickness Constriction
Right 18.6 mm 0.732” 0.031”Minimum 0.010” (1/4)
Barrel (0.732”)
Left 18.7 mm 0.737” 0.029”Minimum 0.020” (1/2)
Barrel (0.737”)
Straight Hand Stock and Splinter For-end is crafted from highly figure walnut. It is assumed that the stock and forend are original, judging from its quality and similarity to the original specifications in the maker’s records. The 22 lines per inch chequering are normal for a sidelock of this quality. The stock has a light (1/8”) cast off for a right hand shooter and is fitted with a 3/4 inch leather covered pad and carries a “blank” initial stock oval. The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns of top English makers. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth luster, only many coats of alternate build up and flatting off of the surface.
Approximate stock measurements at date of publication;
Pull to Heel Pull to Centre Pull to Toe
14 7/8” 15” 15-1/2”
Drop Comb Drop Face Drop Toe
1-11/16” 1-15/16” 2-5/8”
Cast Comb Cast Heel
Negligible 1/8” (approximate)
For the purposes of these measurements, ‘Drop at Face’ is the ‘drop’ measurement taken on a line which is perpendicular to the line joining the trigger and the centre of the butt at approximately
8” from the trigger (front trigger on a double trigger gun).
The custom made leather case was ‘hand crafted’ by G. Pittelko, who is currently making many of the special order leather cases and accessories for Holland & Holland, USA. This ‘VC’ (Very Compact) case features solid wood construction, full cowhide exterior leather, a continuance full length piano hinged lid, 21 ounce ‘billiard cloth’ interior, all brass hardware, fully hand stitched construction with ‘hand formed’ leather corners, along with a ‘period correct’ reproduction Holland & Holland trade label. There is also included a set of horn and brass Holland & Holland snap caps, and a brass oil bottle.
Patents Exhibited Include:
Scott’s gas check patent no. 617 of 1882, Holland & Robertson’s interceptor sears patent no. 5834 of 1887, 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.
Note; This Holland & Holland Royal Ejector (SN 14169) is designated as the number two shotgun from a two gun matched set and was also originally contained within a maker’s leather case. The gun maker has been contacted in an effort to locate the number one shotgun (SN 14168). Unfortunately there are limited records available, and the gun maker has no reference to servicing the number one shotgun (SN 14168) after it left the maker’s shops in 1891. Most probably, the pair of guns were divided as an estate inheritance, or sold separately along with the disposal of the original maker’s case.
SOLD
Serial Number:
141169