Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
16 bore 'Climax' Back Action, Sidelock Non-ejector
No. 7455
Date of manufacture: 1875-87
Click on these images for more detail.
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.
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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:
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Nominal Proof Size
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Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
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Minimum Wall Thickness
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Choke Constriction
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Right Barrel |
17.1mm (0.673")
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0.672"
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0.038"
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0.011" (IC)
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Left Barrel |
17.0mm (0.669")
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0.671"
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0.042"
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0.021" (Mod)
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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.
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
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Pull to Bump
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Pull to Centre
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Pull to Toe
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15"
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15 3/16"
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15 1/8"
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15 5/8"
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Drop at Comb
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Drop at Face
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Drop at Heel
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1 1/2"
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1 3/4"
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2 1/4"
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Cast-off at Comb
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Cast-off at Heel
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Negligible
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Negligible
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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.