Some people dream about owning a Saville Row suit or an Aston Martin. I’ve always wanted a pair of best-quality British shotguns, just like the Holland & Holland Royals you see here. These side-by-sides are coming up Monday in Guyetter and Deeter’s Sept 2023 Fine Sporting Arms auction.
These Royals are a great mix of new and old. They were built around 1999, so they were built with modern metals, fresh wood, and steel-shot suitable choke tubes. Their barrels have original 2 3/4″ chambers, thick walls, and excellent bore measurements. The guns have never been messed with by an incompetent gunsmith or even been used in the field.
Because they’re Royals, they still have all the classic features that make these guns some of the finest in the world: The famous Holland & Holland-patent sidelock action and ejector system, the company’s hand-detachable locks, their self-opening system, and London level, best-quality construction throughout.
LOT 200: GREAT PAIR OF RECENTLY MADE HOLLAND & HOLLAND ROYAL EJECTOR DETACHABLE SIDELOCK DOUBLE TRIGGER SELF-OPENING GAME GUNS WITH CASE & CHOKE TUBES SUITABLE FOR EITHER LEAD OR STEEL SHOT SN 41366/41367: Cal. 12ga. 2-3/4″ (Both). These fine guns were proofed in 1999 and were built with choke tubes and brl proportions to accept steel shot. The 28″ chopper lump brls are engraved “The Royal” on slightly swamped narrow game ribs. “Holland & Holland” and their Bruton Street address are engraved on tops of brls. The gold numeral “1” or “2” is inlaid at rear of rib, top lever and forend tip. Brl flats are stamped with 1999 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers at 850 BAR. Importers info (“H&H” “NYNY”) is on bottom of rear lumps. Bottoms of brls are stamped with SNs and Holland patent self opening assist springs are installed. Case hardened Royal sidelock actions feature automatic safetys (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), hand detachable sidelocks with levers on left lockplates, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators and double triggers. Actions are engraved in traditional Holland Royal style which originated around 1900. This classic engraving consists of near full coverage varying size open shaded scroll within some geometric borders with “Holland & Holland” in arched device on each lockplate. Bottoms of actions are engraved “THE ROYAL”.
Blued top levers and single beaded trigger guards are engraved with matching scroll. SNs are in gold on trigger guard tangs. Very well matched attractively marbled and lightly fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 15-5/8″ over checkered wood butts. Stocks are accentuated by traditional drop points, point pattern checkering on semi-diamond hands and vacant gold ovals. Matching splinter AB ejector forends have Anson releases. Each gun is accompanied with a zippered black leather case containing 4 extra choke tubes (2 in brls for a total of 6 for each gun), and nicely made brass tube wrenches). Guns are housed in their original makers oak and leather two gun case with brass corners and cental medallion. Interior is lined in dark green cloth. A green leather gold embossed Holland & Holland label is in lid along with a H&H 12 bore choke conversion chart which lists Hollands designation by letter for each tube with its equivalent in Europe or USA for steel or lead shot. It also indicates which tubes not to use with steel.
Exceptionally fine, appear to be very close to “as new” with only a very faint firing halo on the breech face of Gun #1. Gun #2 appears essentially unfired. Gun #1 also exhibits some very light silvering on beads, which is not present on Gun #2. Both guns have been exceptionally well cared for with only a very few barely discernable minor handling and assembly marks in all wood and metal finishes. Case shows a few scuffs and marks on exterior. Leather straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is very fine with some minor rubs, accessories are very fine. A lovely pair of guns which should be usable well into the future regardless of changes in the law.
FYI: The accuracy of these listings has not been verified by Dogs and Doubles. All information has been provided by the sellers. Buyers are responsible for verifying the physical condition and all specifications of the listed items. Dogs and Doubles recommends you and a qualified gunsmith physically inspect an item before purchasing.
