Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
16 bore 'Royal' Bar Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 11956

Date of manufacture: 1892



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Heritage Guns' Comment

Holland & Holland records show that this gun was finished in 1892 for 'Baker' but what the sparse entry does not mention is that the group of gun numbers 11500 - 11999 were reserved for guns using the 'Paradox' patent, i.e. a smooth-bored shotgun with a rifled choke. As the numbers were reserved for these special guns, often no mention of Paradox is found and from the entry alone, this gun was simply H&H's normal top-of-the-range SLE.
Quite how it came to lose its chokes (or gain a new set of shotgun barrels) is unknown but interestingly the record notes that in December 1892 the choke in the right barrel was reduced and shot counts are only recorded for this barrel which does lend credence to the belief that at that time it still had its rifled chokes. Other indications of its 'Paradox' heritage come in the form of a long top strap, unusual in a Royal shotgun of the period, substantial weight and its swept top strap, lockplates and trigger plate. These features all add strength to the gun; very important in one designed to handle heavy recoil. When we came upon the gun, the barrels were a hopeless case and we had the gun TIG sleeved to 16b.
With its excellent weight, interceptor sears, long stock and barrel dimensions, this gun would make a fine 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 combined Holland & Robertson design and features:
Bar action;
'Dip Edge' locks with bolstered tumbler pivots;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Breech face 'Gas Checks';
'Patent Block Safety' interceptor sears;
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle'; Top rib extension providing a 3rd bite; Holland & Robertson's patent ejector
and Anson's push rod forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 15oz
Engraving style Best Fine Bouquet & Scroll. 'ROYAL EJECTOR PATENT No. 11623' on underside of action; Top lever engraved 'PATENT EJECTOR'. Fences chiselled with bold acanthus leaves.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 4lbs Rear trigger 4 1/4lbs
The TIG sleeved 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, 'swamped' type.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2013.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
16.9mm
(0.665")
0.665"
0.033"
0.010" (IC)
Left Barrel
16.9mm
(0.665")
0.666"
0.033"
0.020" (Mod)

Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured walnut. There is one small inlet repair to the forend edge. The stock is cast off for a right-handed shot, features a vacant yellow metal oval, well defined drop points and is finished with a 1" leather covered recoil pad.

Well Figured walnut

The 24 approx lines per inch chequering has been freshened to the original 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
14 7/8"
15 1/8"
15"
15 1/4"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 5/8"
1 11/16"
2 3/8"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
1/4" (approximate)
1/2" (approximate)

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,
Needham & Hinton interceptor sears patent no. 706 of 1879,
Holland & Robertson's ejector patent no. 11623 of 1887,
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865,
Scott's top extension patent no. 1902 of 1875,
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.