Update
16th January, 2017
I
have just uploaded full details and photos of the last gun to join my trip to
Las Vegas:
Holland
& Holland ‘The Royal’ 12g SLE no 12319
Holland & Holland records show that this gun was finished as No 1 of
a pair in 1889 for 'Lambton' but later sold to 'Crisp' and it is a very lovely
example of Holland & Holland's 'flag ship' gun. On the back of the action
is stamped 'JR' which tells us that this gun was at least actioned in the
famous workshops of John Robertson, later proprietor of Boss & Co. It is
very likely that Robertson actually completed this gun in its entirety for
Hollands as he was well known for screwing and stocking a huge number of guns
for the London trade. The history of the barrels is somewhat confused by the
numerous proof marks through the ages but it appears that it was sleeved in
1960 and subsequently chambered for 70mm cartridges and reproofed in 2010. The
restocking is obviously quite recent but we have no indication of just when it
was done. However it is the work of a professional and very experienced stocker
and when we acquired the gun, carried the traditional swept comb of an H&H
gun. This would lead one to assume that the work was done by a stocker with
considerable experience of H&H stocks, maybe even an ex-H&H worker.
I
very much look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at the
Beinfeld show at the Westgate Resort & Casino, Las Vegas 20th-22nd
January. Space permitting, we will have a good range of antique and modern
accessories for sale so swing by and have a rummage!
Lastly
a reminder that we now have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heritage-Guns/1456166597974211.
Facebook is not everybody’s cup of tea but we will post photos and news there
that are not relevant to our main web site pages.
Enjoy
your guns and shooting wherever you are!
Toby Barclay
Links
to our show venues can be found on our Home page.