Guns International #: 100732988
Seller's Inventory #: 999-A375 (LGFS/CSQ#5)

Category - Holland & Holland Rifles - Rifles - English Sporting

Category
Holland & Holland Rifles
Rifles - English Sporting

Holland & Holland, Classic sporting rilfe, .375 EX caliber

Description:
Holland & Holland,   DESIRABLE COLLECTIBLE,  bolt action TAKEDOWN rifle,   based on the 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer action produced by Oesterr (Austria) Waffenfabr. Ges. Steyr.  The caliber is .375 EX,   s/n 26029.
 
This rifle is one of the .375 EX calibers produced by Holland & Holland on 1903 actions sourced from Mannlicher-Schoenauer.  This action was designed by Steyr Armoury in Austria under a 1907 patent and later improved by Otto Schoenauer-technical director of Austrian Arms Company.   The advanced rotary magazine allowed for a shallower depth action and was enclosed for protection from dust and water.  
 
Many of H&H’s rifles produced on the 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer action in the .375 EX caliber were takedowns as were the later ones produced employing Mauser actions.  The H&H rifles built on the M/S actions were the first to make use of the 1907 M/S patent.  This rifle is one of an identical pair that were produced simultaneously during 1907 and completed on October 1, 1908.  
 
The .375 EX is otherwise known as the .400/.375 Belted Nitro Express and is the world’s first belted case.   The cartridge in addition to being belted employs a necked down case.   It was introduced in 1905 to compete in popularity with the 9.5mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer.   It was used in mainly bolt action rifles and was listed in British catalogs until 1936-38.   This cartridge initially used cordite which is produced in long strands. 
 
This particular rifle, number 26029 uses a load consisting of 43 grains of cordite and a 320 grain MAX bullet size and is so marked on the barrel.  It is also exhibits a nitro proof mark on the barrel. 
 
This action on this rifle uses a spoon-type bolt handle which is checkered on the end of the underside.   It has a 24” steel barrel which features a bright shiny perfect bore.  The barrel is equipped with a rear sight having one standing leaf and two folding leafs.  It has a covered blade front sight which is mounted locked into a dovetail by a set screw thereby making it interchangeable.  The triggerguard and floorplate were case hardened which has faded due to age.
 
The magazine release is unique.  In order to remove it you depress a button in one of the holes in the bottom or the floorplate and rotate it 90 degrees to the action.  The floorplate then serves as a handle to simply, easily, and smoothly pull the magazine from the receiver.  The insides of the action are beautifully machined and as clean as a pin.

The stock is a classic H&H takedown with a pistol grip.  The pistol grip is case colored hardened steel containing a trap.  The buttstock features a cheekpiece with a shadow-line.   Checkering on the buttstock and forearm is in the classic H&H style point pattern with mullered borders.   There are also sling eyes attached underneath the barrel and buttstock.   A horn buttplate and forearm cap also adorn this rifle.  There is a plain medallion underneath the buttstock.  

The rifle comes with a couple of H&H factory notations supplied to us by a kind gentleman at the H&H New York establishment.  The notes indicate that the rifle was one of a pair along with information on the sighting in of the rifle and the release date from the factory of 10/1/08.   It is also supplied with two boxes of cartridges specially loaded using Barnes cases in the .375 Express caliber.

This rifle is an early example of world class bolt action hunting rifles which were renowned and used all over the globe.   
 
Overall condition of the metal and wood is excellent exhibiting careful handling as it gracefully aged over the past 108 years.  Retail value $15,000.00,   Sale priced reasonably at $10,500.00
 

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes