Wait a minute, let me get this straight. Claycrusher, you just bought the gun as of February 15th and H&H got back to you already? Talk about down to earth customer service.
Got to love those Brits!!!
I bought it about 2 weeks ago, and between the seller being out of the country and the shipping time, I just got it. I contacted H&H about 10 days ago with the serial number the seller had listed- 1277. It's found on the forend wood and the forend lug. They came back saying that number came back to an Apex rifle (a cartridge that was designed in the 1930's I believe) and the gentleman said to get back with him when I had the gun in hand. I did, with the pictures, but he said he couldn't find anything more without a valid serial number.
The barrel rib states " H. Holland 98, New Bond Street, London" so I'm thinking it was a Harris Holland. Perhaps H&H's records do not go back that far.
I didn't think to check the proof and choke marks to see if that helps. I'm thinking it was made after 1862 when the Jone's patent expired
