Holland & Holland ‘Royal’ 12 gauge sidelock ejector, rounded bar & Best bold Royal engraving
Description:
Holland & Holland ‘Royal’ 12 gauge sidelock ejector, rounded bar & Best bold Royal engraving.
Holland & Holland is one of the most recognized names in the luxury hunting market. This antique 1897 “Royal” model demonstrates why. What makes Holland’s pedigree even more extraordinary is the fact that all shotgun manufacturing, engraving, fitting, etc., down to the thousandth of an inch, was hand-crafted without the assistance of automated machining, computer measurements, or electronic assistance. Absolute master craftsmen invested hundreds of hours into each shotgun they made by hand, with hundreds of more hours dedicated to the engraving, fitting and finishing of each masterpiece.
The “Royal” model became the standard for Best Quality hammerless ejectors in the late Victorian era, and continues to this day. This handmade instrument is the perfection of craftsmanship, artistry and function, outstanding in every aspect. Lightweight even with 28” barrels, this finely balanced Holland is an absolute pleasure to shoot, mounts effortlessly to the shoulder and moves like an extension of your arm. The slightly longer stock is well 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.
In exceptionally handsome condition, the action of this sidelock has a rounded bar – a less common feature that adds to the beauty of its contours and smoothness in the hand. The locks have a 7-pin configuration and are hand-engraved in ornate and bold acanthus and vines scrollwork, with finely detailed border highlights throughout the locks, and vines and scrollwork throughout the trigger guard, top lever and topstrap.
The maker’s name “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” bolsters each lock in an ornate arched cartouche. The rounded action leads to the floorplate which is edged in geometric patterns, complexly engraved in finials and acanthus scrollwork, and topped with a large cartouche which reads “ROYAL HAMMERLESS EJECTOR.” The top safety reads “SAFE” inlaid in gold, along with the number “2” inlaid in gold on the toplever. The cocking indicators on each sidelock are also inlaid in gold. The fences are ornately engraved in leaves and finials. The face, flats and action are virtually spotless, while the double-bite action locks up tight with absolutely no play or looseness. Matching serial numbers 166xx are on the fore-end, trigger guard, and action flats. Original London antique/pre-1898 black powder proof marks of the “V” under a crown “view mark” are also on the flats, along with later Birmingham nitro re-proof marks “BNP” under a crown.
New barrels made in 1973 are in mint condition and appear to be virtually unused; zero powder marks, mirror bores, no handling marks. Southgate ejectors function powerfully and flawlessly. Game rib has a gold-inlaid “2” at the breech end, 2&1/2” chambers, bored approx. 3/4 and 1/4 choke. The 28” barrels with brass sight bead have outstanding measurements, and come in at 28,000th & 27,000+th right and left wall thickness, and are even/consistent throughout the barrels.
Contemporary proof house marks are on both barrel flats show that it has undergone British Nitro Proof (NP) testing, with Birmingham examination as confirmed by the “BNP” under a crown, and separate crossed swords with 1973 “Y B” date and senior examiner / master inspector’s # “1” mark beneath the swords, indicating Birmingham Proof House measurements and standard nitro proof compliance for 2 & 1/2” shells at “3 TONS PER SQUARE INCH”. Chambers are marked .729 for each. 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.” These 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.
The well figured stock has fine checkering throughout the hand and a handsome dark grain, and a brass oval on underside of stock engraved with “R O Ridley”; Holland & Holland have confirmed a date of manufacture for Mr. Ridley in 1897. Light handling marks on the stock consist of some tiny dimples along the left side, but only visible under direct lighting, and no damage or cracks anywhere on the wood. ½” wooden extension perfectly blended with the grain of the stock, and brings the overall length of pull to 15”. Nicely checkered splinter fore-end with an engraved base, tip, center metal diamond, and Anson plunger release, with serial number and “#2” on the hardware beneath the fore-end. Small dimple on the left-hand side of fore-end, but wood is uncompromised with no splitting or cracking. Superb handling and responsiveness with an overall weight of only 6 lbs. 9 oz., the slightly longer barrels and stock offer well balanced shooting.
This collector’s item is housed in a period appropriate original leather guncase with Holland & Holland decal in the lid, brass lock, and brass roundel on the lid suitable for engraving. The case shows signs of use over its past 100+ years in service with wear along the corners, while the handle remains intact, and overall solid condition. Interior in purple baize has some wear, with small loss to the maker’s decal on the left-hand side and slight (age appropriate) discoloration. Additional maker’s decal describing the hammerless gun’s original drams of black powder measurements are on the right-hand side. Includes Harrison & Hussey oil bottle with some losses to chrome, and gunmaker’s turnscrew.
In total, almost no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 125+ year old antique, other than a few light handling marks on the stock 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, this is a great combination of beauty and function without absolutely breaking the bank. Affordable luxury; 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 approximately a month to arrive in the US. However, for purchases at or above the list price I will cover the cost of shipment. Online member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via Zelle, 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, shotgun, shot gun.
Price:
$14,975.00
Antique: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge
Manufacturer:
Holland & Holland
Model:
Royal
Serial Number:
166xx
Barrel Length:
28
Bore Info:
12 gauge
Chambers:
2 & 1/2
Ejectors:
yes
Condition:
excellent
Wood Condition:
well figured
Bore Condition:
mirror
Barrels:
sxs
Action:
sidelock ejector
Triggers:
2x
Stock:
English straight-hand
Stock Cast:
none
LOP:
15
Rib:
game
Weight:
6 lbs. 9 oz.
Manufacture Date:
1897
Chokes:
fixed
Choke Left:
1/4
Choke Right:
3/4
Engraving:
Best Bold Royal
Case:
yes
Proof:Nitro:
yes
Minimum Wall Thickness Left:
27,000
Minimum Wall Thickness Right:
28,000