Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
12 bore 'No.2 Royal’ Bar Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 14495
Date of manufacture: 1892
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Click on these images for more detail.
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Heritage Guns' Comment
Holland & Holland records show that this gun was ordered in
1892 for ‘Norton’ but actually sold to ‘E.A. Lee’ and it is a
fascinating and quite rare example of Hollands’ style
transition during the establishment of their first factory in
Harrow Road in 1893. Although the internals remain broadly
similar to the earlier, pre-1890’s Royals, the makers’ records
shows this gun as the new style ‘No.2 Royal’ (not to be
confused with the No.2 quality SLE’s) and it exhibits the new
lock plate shape and evolution of engraving from fine bouquet
& scroll to the new Art Nouveau bold foliate. Internally the
ejectors remain the coil spring powered, 1887 design of
Holland & Robertson but the cocking is achieved by a Roger’s
type lever and ejectors tripped by the mechanism described in
the 1888 H&R patent. A flat back action and bolstered tumbler
pivots are in still in evidence. Interestingly, although the
locks are internally stamped with ‘BLOCK PATENT SAFETY’, the
interceptor sear used is Robertson’s favoured ‘Spear’ design.
WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW
SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT
US.This gun represents a rare glimpse into the development of the No.2 Royal and with its interceptor sears, fine stock and barrel dimensions, this gun would make a superb and fascinating target or game gun for the discerning shooter. Presented in it's relined Leather & Brass case with some named accessories.
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The
action is of combined Holland & Robertson design and features:
Bar action, No.2 style, nine pin locks with bolstered tumbler pivots;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Breech face 'Gas Checks';
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 trip and
ejector;
Anson's push rod forend catch.
There is some light
staining to the metalwork.
Gun
weight 6lb 10oz.
Engraving style Best Bold Foliate Scroll &
Bouquet. ‘ROYAL EJECTOR PATENT No 16691' on underside of action. Gold
inlaid ‘SAFE’ on top tang. Beaded fences.
Trigger pulls
measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs Rear trigger 4lbs.
The original steel 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 concave game type.
Bores are clean and bright.
Birmingham reproof for 70mm
nitro powder cartridges 2018.
Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:
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Nominal Proof Size
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Bore Diameter 9"
from Breech |
Minimum Wall Thickness
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Choke Constriction
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18.6mm (0.732")
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0.733"
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0.022"
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0.001" (TC)
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Left Barrel |
18.6mm (0.732")
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0.734"
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0.022"
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0.018"
(Mod)
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The Possible Replacement Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured walnut. The all-wood, one piece stock is cast-off for a right-handed shot, features a vacant gold oval and well defined drop points.
The Forend is fitted with a finely engraved steel forend tip and diamond and has two inlet repairs to its edge.
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Well Figured Walnut
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The 22 lines per inch chequering is refreshed
to a normal 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:
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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 3/8"
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14 5/8"
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14 1/2"
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15"
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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 5/8"
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1 3/4"
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2 3/16"
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Cast-off at Comb
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Cast-off at Heel
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3/16" (approximate)
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3/8" (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,
Smallman interceptor sears patent no. 5405 of 1884,
Holland &
Robertson's ejector & trip patent no. 16691 of 1888,
'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.