Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street,
London
16 bore 'No. 2' Back Action, Sidelock
No. 8787
Date of manufacture: 1883
Fifth gun in our 'Accipiter series'
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Click on these images for more detail.
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Heritage Guns' Comment This is fine example of the well-known
and loved 'No. 2' sidelock manufactured in various guises by this
pre-eminent 'Maker from the early 1880 right through to the new
century and beyond. When it came to us it was a 12b, converted
to ejector on the Baker patent around 1900, with sadly thin and
pitted barrels and with its slim elegant action it cried out for
TIG sleeving to 16b. Having completed the sleeving is became clear
that the ejector conversion, which no doubt had worked well when
new, required considerable work to make it truly reliable so it
was removed. The parts are available to the purchaser and we have
no doubt that given time and patience, it could be made serviceable
again.
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 principally of
Thomas Perkes design and features:
'Dip Edge' lockplates;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
'Patent Block Safety' interceptor sears; Gold washed tumblers;
Back action locks; Perkes' cocking rods;
Breech face 'Patent Gas Check';
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle'
and Anson forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 13oz
Engraving style Very Fine Border.
Top rib engraved: 'WINNER OF ALL THE 'FIELD' RIFLE TRIALS. LONDON. 1883'
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 lbs Rear
trigger 3 ½ 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.
London proof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2013.
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 |
16.9mm (0.665")
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0.664"
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0.036"
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0.008" (IC)
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| Left Barrel |
16.9mm (0.665")
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0.664"
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0.034"
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0.020" (Mod)
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The original Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are both
crafted from highly figured walnut. The stock features a vacant white
metal oval and is finished with a ¾" leather covered recoil
pad. The forend wood carries a neat, engraved steel forend tip and
diamond and has one small inlet repair to its edge.
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Highly Figured walnut
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The 22 lines per inch chequering has been cut
to normal backaction sidelock pattern. The stock is cast off for a
right-handed shot.
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:
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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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14 5/8"
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14 3/4"
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14 5/8"
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14 7/8"
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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 13/16"
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2 3/4"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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Negligible
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1/4 (approximate)
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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,
Perkes' cocking rod patent no. 1968 of 1878,
Needham & Hinton interceptor sears patent no. 706 of 1879,
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.