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Beautiful Antique Holland & Holland Sidelock Ejector Model No. 2 in 12 gauge
Guns International #: 101404335 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Holland & Holland Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: brandonhal
Company:
Member Since: 2/23/14
First Name: Brandon
Last Name: Halstead
State: State not Found
Zip: 09468
Country: United Kingdom
Phone:
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 4
Total Number of Listings: 29
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: paypal; certified bank check
Description:
Beautiful Antique Holland & Holland Sidelock Ejector Model No. 2 in 12 gauge.
This perfectly balanced Holland is an absolute pleasure to shoot. Lightweight even with 28” barrels, it mounts effortlessly to the shoulder and moves like an extension of your arm. The slightly longer stock is perfectly suited to today’s taller shooters. And it’s priced so you can enjoy taking it into the field without the worry of a small mortgage in your hands!
This is upland wildfowling at its peak. An opportunity to purchase a fully functional antique masterpiece by one of the world’s finest, if not arguably THE best, shotgun maker of all times. Noted British gun specialist Jack Rowe rates Holland & Holland as England’s top gun maker: “In my estimation, number one of the English gunmakers.” George Caswell, an American expert on British guns, agrees, stating “I feel H&H guns and rifles have contributed more to the British trade than those of any other maker,” and describes their “overall quality is excellent…and command a 20 to 30 percent premium.” (Vintage British Shotguns, Terry Wieland, 2008).
Holland & Holland has confirmed that this 12 gauge Model “No. 2 Hammerless” sidelock ejector was completed in 1897, serial number 201xx. In beautiful condition, the sidelocks are hand-engraved in ornate acanthus scrollwork with finely detailed border highlights throughout the locks and floorplate, trigger guard, and toplever, with acanthus spirals engraved on the fences, and the maker’s name “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” bolstering each lock. Automatic cocking indicators on sidelocks, and automatic safety with “SAFE” inlaid in gold above the mechanism. The maker’s description “PATENT EJECTOR” surrounded by oval engraving tops the floorplate, with matching serial numbers 201xx throughout the gun on the action, fore-end, and trigger guard mount.
This pre-1898 antique reflects the original “13/1” annotation on both barrel flats indicating antique bore measurements (.719 by modern measurements) when it was originally black powder proof, as well as the original antique black powder London proof marks, including the provisional proof mark lion rampant over intertwined letters “GP” on the barrel flats, faint definitive proof marks “GP” under a crown on the barrel flats, and view mark “V” under a crown on the barrel and action flats. Original antique load measurements for 2 & ½” chambers reflected in “1 1/8 MAXIMUM” markings on the barrel flats. Chokes are appx. 1/4 and 1/2 choke. The 28” barrels with brass sight bead have excellent measurements, and come in at .731 for right and left bore diameters, and 32 thousandth for the right wall thickness, and 30 thousandth for the left wall thickness.
Contemporary Birmingham re-proof marks show that it has undergone British Nitro Proof (NP) re-testing with the “BNP” under crown, indicating Birmingham Proof House re-proofing measurements and standard “NITRO PROOF” compliance at “3 1/4 TONS PER SQUARE INCH” pressure for 12 bore chambers (12 over ‘c’ in a diamond). Chambers have been modernized to accommodate 2 & ¾” shells (12/70 metric measurement). Barrels have been professionally & seamlessly sleeved, with the maker’s provenance on the game rib engraving which reads “HOLLAND & HOLLAND, 98 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON.” This improvement has increased the safety and function of this gun for the next 150+ years, and reflects a mastery of barrel making; exceptional strength with lightweight and responsive handling. With continued good care and cleaning after each shoot, this collector’s item should offer great future hunting well into the next century – a future family heirloom for generations to come.
As Terry Wieland highlights in his book “Vintage British Shotguns,” he states “If you buy an English gun… and the proof marks show it has been nitro proofed – that is, proven with smokeless powder – you know it’s safe to shoot with loads of the length and gauge marked.” The interior of the bores are mirrors, while the outer barrels appear to have original bluing with consistent wear and patina between the barrels, action and fore-end. Very minor wear on the bluing around the exterior of the chambers and at the breech, and a couple of spots underneath the rib, but otherwise no barrel marks, pitting or damage. Virtually spotless condition on the interior as well, with no pitting and zero powder marks on the breech, flats and face.
The highly figured stock has nice checkering throughout the hand and a dark grain, and a brass oval on underside of stock engraved with the initials “NRWF”, with a professionally matched wooden extension and Bakelite buttplate, which makes for an overall 15 & 1/2” pull. The stock is ever so slightly cast off at appx. 1/2 inch at the face, and appx. 1" at the heel & toe, to favor the right-handed shooter. The barrels lock up tight with absolutely no play in the action. Strong ejectors function flawlessly. Nicely checkered fore-end wood with ornately engraved fore-end base and tip, and Anson plunger release. Superb handling and responsiveness with an overall weight of only 6 lbs. 11 oz.
This collector’s item is housed in an original oak and leather guncase with Holland & Holland leather decal and brass roundel suitable for engraving on the exterior of the case. A previous owner’s initials “HCH” are on the exterior of the case, and the outer leather shows signs of use over its past 100+ years in service. Interior in red baize is also worn in spots and the maker’s decal has a small tear on the left-hand side.
In total, almost no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 123 year old antique, other than a few light handling marks on the stock and barrels as mentioned above. Overall excellent, beautiful condition, with hand-made quality apparent throughout its manufacture. It’s also an investment-grade antique that can be taken into the field without the worry or expense of a large five or six figure outlay, offering the opportunity to actually hunt with, use and enjoy one of the best guns made.
A fine example of the master craftsmanship in UK gun-making from arguably the world’s best shotgun maker and premier member of the “Big 3” of Britain’s most famous craftsmen Holland and Holland, Purdey, and Boss & Co. With the growing popularity of wildfowling using classic British shotguns, this is a great combination of beauty and function without absolutely breaking the bank. Affordable luxury and a future family heriloom for generations to come; ready for your next century of shooting!
This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a US military family stationed in the UK, and ship at an insured and flat rate of $125 because this package with the gun case is heavy; usually takes about a week to arrive in the US. Online member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via PayPal or certified bank check accepted. Please note I am not a dealer and not an expert, but a private collector, have tried to enter all the details I am aware of for this gun, and will try to answer any questions as best I can. I am downsizing my collection and hope to find other US enthusiasts of classic English shotguns to re-home a few of these pieces. Thanks for your interest. Key words: sxs shotgun, side by side, British, English, double barrel, 12 gauge, 12 ga, 12g, side lock, sidelock.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Holland & Holland
Model: Model No. 2
Serial Number: 201xx
Bore: .731 & .731
Chambers: 2 & 3/4
Ejectors: yes
Condition: antique
Wood Condition: nicely figured
Bore Condition: mirrors
Barrel Type: sxs
Action: sidelock ejector
Triggers: double
Gauge Info: 12
Stock: 15 & 1/2
Stock Cast: ~1/2" off face
Rib: game
Weight: 6 lbs. 11 oz.
Manufacture Date: 1897
Chokes: fixed
Choke Left: 1/2
Choke Right: 1/4
Case: yes
Proof:Nitro: yes
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 30,000
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 32,000