Holland & Holland, 98 New Bond Street, London
12 bore 'No. 2' Back Action, Sidelock Non-Ejector
No. 14740

Date of manufacture: 1892

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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. 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.

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)

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.

Highly figured walnut

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"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
Negligible
1/4" (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,
'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.