Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street,
London
12 bore 'No. 2' Back Action, Sidelock Non-Ejector
No. 14740
Date of manufacture: 1892
Click on these images for more detail.
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. Acquired cased with several contemporary accessories,
we have carefully relined it with best wool baize and refitted
the trade label and charge card. Interestingly, the label is from
a later era in H&H's history and we wonder if the gun was
re-cased at some point by the 'Makers.
The gun features its original walnut stock and forend and although
the stock has been slightly shortened since new, it is in fantastic
condition for its age: a lovely piece of French walnut and the
dimensions are generous. Barrels have been re-proofed for 2 ¾"
nitro cartridges and although the left tube is in places at the
lower end of what we consider to be a sensible MWT, these areas
are in the later part of their length and very close to the rib
and so unlikely to be susceptible to damage.
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 principally of
Thomas Perkes design and features:
'Dip Edge' lockplates,
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide,
Back action locks with bolstered tumbler pivots,
Perkes' cocking rods,
Breech face 'Gas Checks',
'Patent Block Safety' Interceptor Sears,
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle'
and Deeley's forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 7oz
Engraving style Border.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 4lbs 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 the smooth, concave game type. There is a little
vestigial pitting in both barrels.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2012.
Approximate barrel measurements
at date of publication:
|
Nominal Proof Size
|
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
|
Minimum Wall Thickness
|
Choke Constriction
|
Right Barrel |
18.8mm
(0.740")
|
0.741"
|
0.022"
|
0.009" (IC)
|
Left Barrel |
18.8mm
(0.740")
|
0.741+"
|
0.020"
|
0.023" (Mod)
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The Straight Hand Stock and Splinter
Forend are both crafted from highly figured
walnut. The stock features a horn butt plate secured with engraved screws
and a vacant white metal oval. The forend wood carries a neat, engraved
steel forend tip.
The fine 22 lines per inch chequering is freshly
cut to normal 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:
Pull to Heel
|
Pull to Bump
|
Pull to Centre
|
Pull to Toe
|
14 1/2"
|
14 5/8"
|
14 5/8"
|
15"
|
Drop at Comb
|
Drop at Face
|
Drop at Heel
|
1 1/2"
|
1 5/8"
|
2 1/16"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
|
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
Deeley's forend fastener patent no. 1422 of 1873.