Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
16 bore 'Climax' Back Action, Sidelock Non-ejector
No. 7455
Date of manufacture: 1875-87



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Heritage Guns' Comment

This is a particularly fine example of the 'Climax' sidelock manufactured by this pre-eminent 'Maker as their first hammerless shotgun, built on the famous Scott & Baker patent no. 761.
Bought at auction with thin and badly pitted barrels, TIG sleeving was the only option to bring this lovely gun back into service. What is unusual is the quality and condition of the action and wood: quite considerable amounts of original hardening colour are apparent is protected areas and the 15" original one piece stock is a classic bit of old French walnut.
With its interceptor sears and excellent dimensions, this gun would make a classy target or game gun for the discerning shooter.

WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

The action is of Scott & Baker design and features:
'Dip Edge' lockplates;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
'Patent Block Safety' interceptor sears;
Back action locks;
Patent, hooked cocking rods;
Breech face 'Patent Gas Check';
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle'
and Deeley forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 12oz
Engraving style Best foliate scroll with floral detail.
Left bar engraved 'CLIMAX SAFETY HAMMERLESS'.
Gold inlaid SAFE at safety slide, Feather engraved fences.
The action flats are stamped 'No.761 PATENT - 1471' in a diamond and 'PATENT ACTION'.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 4 lbs Rear trigger 4 lbs.
The TIG sleeved steel to damascus barrels are 30" in length, chambered for 2 3/4" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' construction with soft soldered ribs. Top rib is of the smooth, concave game type.
Birmingham proof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2016.


Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
17.1mm (0.673")
0.672"
0.038"
0.011" (IC)
Left Barrel
17.0mm (0.669")
0.671"
0.042"
0.021" (Mod)

The original Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are both crafted from well figured walnut. The stock features a white metal oval engraved with elaborate initials, is finished with a cross-cut butt and is very lightly cast off for a right-handed shot.
The forend wood
carries a neat, engraved steel forend tip and has one inlet repair to its edge.


Well Figured walnut

The 20 lines per inch chequering has been freshened to a normal back-action sidelock pattern.
The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface.

Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:

Pull to Heel
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
15"
15 3/16"
15 1/8"
15 5/8"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 3/4"
2 1/4"
Cast-off at Comb
Cast-off at Heel
Negligible
Negligible

For the purposes of these measurements, 'Drop at Face' is the 'drop' measurement taken on a line perpendicular to the
line joining the trigger and centre of the butt at approximately 8" from the trigger (front trigger on a double trigger gun).

Patents Exhibited include:
Scott's gas check patent no. 617 of 1882,
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865,
Scott & Baker cocking patent no. 761 of 1878,
Needham & Hinton interceptor sears patent no. 706 of 1879,
Deeley's forend catch patent no 1422 of 1873.