Guns International #: 101672313

Category - Holland & Holland Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double Antique

Category
Holland & Holland Shotguns
Shotguns - English Double Antique

Holland & Holland rare 20 gauge hammergun, in proof with handsome Damascus

Description:
Holland & Holland rare 20 gauge hammergun, in proof with handsome Damascus.

Upland wildfowling at its finest with a scarce and lightweight 20 bore Holland & Holland hammer gun.  This perfectly balanced Holland is an absolute pleasure to shoot.  Lightweight even with 29 & ¼” 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.

Holland & Holland has confirmed that this early side-by-side was completed in 1875 under the supervision of company founder Harris Holland, with serial number 31xx.  In handsome condition, the back action or “island” sidelocks are hand-engraved in ornate acanthus scrollwork with finely detailed border highlights throughout the locks, trigger guard, and topstrap, with the maker’s name “H. HOLLAND” bolstering each lock.  The round action is also engraved in similar acanthus scrollwork, as are the hare’s ears upright hammers, and the action and locks retain a little of the original color hardening. Rebounding hammers are strong, and the internal springs which retract the firing pins when cocked are both functioning well.  Jones patent under-lever and double-bite action lock up tight with absolutely no play or looseness.  Matching serial numbers 31xx on the fore-end and each barrel flat.

This pre-1898 antique displays London proof house marks on both barrel flats when it was originally black powder proof, including the provisional proof mark lion rampant over intertwined letters “GP” on the barrel flats, definitive proof marks “GP” under a crown on the barrel flats, and view mark “V” under a crown on both the barrel and the action flats.  Chokes are fixed and will have to be measured by my local RFD (I don’t have the tool to measure 20 gauge chokes). The 29 & 1/4” barrels with brass sight bead have excellent measurements, and come in at 25 thousandth for the right wall thickness, and 24 thousandth for the left wall thickness.

Both London and contemporary Birmingham re-proof marks show that it has undergone British Nitro Proof (NP) re-testing, with the London script “R” under a crown denoting reproof, as well as post-2005 Birmingham testing as confirmed by the “STD” under a crown, and separate crossed swords with date and inspector’s marks, indicating Birmingham Proof House re-proofing measurements and standard nitro proof compliance for 2 & 1/2” shells (“20-65” annotated on the flats showing 65mm metric measurement).  Barrels have the maker’s provenance on the game rib engraving, which reads “H. HOLLAND. 98 NEW BOND ST. LONDON.”  These incredibly handsome browned Damascus twist barrels reflect 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 spotless, with just a couple of interior marks just ahead of the chambers, but NOT further down the barrels where the walls are thinner.  Otherwise the barrel interiors are mirrors; no other marks or pitting.  One or two minor handling marks on the exterior of the barrels, but generally unnoticeable.  Completely clean action with zero powder marks on the breech and flats, and only a hint of powder stain on the right face.

The well figured stock has nice checkering throughout the hand and a handsome dark grain, and a brass oval on underside of stock engraved with the initials “PYG” below an engraved stag.  With the buttplate, the stock has an overall 15” length of pull.  Nicely checkered splinter fore-end with an engraved base and horn tip, and cross-pin release.  Superb handling and responsiveness with an overall weight of only 5 lbs. 8 oz., the slightly longer barrels and stock offer well balanced shooting.

This collector’s item is housed in an original canvas and leather leg-of-mutton guncase with Holland & Holland decal in the lid, brass lock, and leather straps with brass buckles.  A previous owner’s initials “DB” are on the exterior of the case; overall the case shows minimal signs of use over its past 100+ years in service.  Interior in red baize has light wear, but the maker’s decal is in excellent condition.  The gun was likely later matched to this case to accommodate its slightly smaller size as a 20 gauge; the case itself is circa 1900, post-dating the gun by 25 years or so.

In total, almost no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 145+ year old antique, other than a few light handling marks on the 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 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.”

A fine example of the master craftsmanship in UK gun-making from one of the world’s best shotgun makers 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, and especially hammer-gun shooting, this is a great combination of beauty and function without absolutely breaking the bank. Affordable luxury; ready for your next century of shooting!  It has also been recently inspected & serviced by a gun expert in Leicestershire, and is ready for the field.

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 less than a month to arrive in the US.  However, for purchases at or above listing price I will cover the cost of shipping.  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, hammergun, hammer gun, hammers, shotgun, shot gun.
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Holland & Holland
Model: sxs hammer
Serial Number: 31xx
Bore: 20
Chambers: 2 & 1/2
Condition: antique
Metal Condition: Damascus twist
Bore Condition: mirror
Barrels: sxs
Triggers: 2x
Stock: English straight-hand
Stock Dimensions:
15
LOP: 15
Rib: game
Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz.
Manufacture Date: 1875
Chokes: fixed
Case: yes
Proof:Nitro: yes
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 25,000
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 24,000