As I stated in my original post here are my notes from the quick look I had of the Holland & Holland:

--Gun is out of proof as I see no evidence of a "R" re-proof stamp on the action flats placed there by the relevant proof house after the re-color case hardening.

--The barrels are dove tail barrels not chopper lump barrels as described.

--The replacement barrels were proofed between the years 1954 and 1989, not 1992 as described.

--Only serial number I can see is on the fore-end iron, which raises considerable concern to me as even the trigger guard hand piece is not engraved with the serial number as per standards of English guns.

--Need to ask the seller for photos that show the serial number on the barrels as well as the barrel maker and barrel lump machinist stamps along with barrel bore and wall thickness. Would not expect any reply to request.

--A prudent call to H&H about the origin of this gun and its replacement barrels before anyone should bid.

--Holland & Holland did not have a factory in 1885-86 and so this gun was not made there as per description.

--Barrel blacking and polishing is a third rate job.

--Holland & Holland did not have this gun re-color case hardened, it is not English work and further all the screws would have re-engraved or replaced. When I lived and worked in England nearly 20 years ago, I learned from Malcolm Cruxton of Price Street Birmingham that the English gun trade was very opposed to re-case hardening guns and that no one in the trade would ever even consider re-case hardening a double rifle due to the potential dangers of a future cracked action.

--The gun is a 2nd or 3rd quality Birmingham built hammergun, not of the quality as described.

--Is the description of the gun trumponian hyperbole to try to overcome lack of knowledge.

--The labels of this gun's case as well as the gun case of the Purdey that is for sale by the same seller says it all to me: "tarted up"--- let the buyer beware.

In the past I have seen a complete 20 bore SLE "Holland & Holland" gun that was built as a complete counterfeit fake that fooled a person who had been in the gun business for a long time. Although he finally determined it was a fake himself--too late.

Last edited by bushveld; 11/01/18 06:10 PM.