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Joined: Jul 2008
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,008 |
Are there any quality differences among Royals made in the post-war years? Are recent ones (say, 1990s to date) any better than earlier ones as a result of metallurgy or manufacturing tolerances?
Thank you
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544 |
Not so as you would notice.
I personally think the pre 1922 non self-opener is a better looking and sweeter gun and very good value.
Last edited by Small Bore; 03/31/12 02:33 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,008
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,008 |
Thank you. I've been watching (and enjoying) your website!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
If I were planning on shooting many, many thousands of rounds, I'd be looking for newer guns that had maintainable joints (like hinge pins and circle joints), available parts, and springs available. Were I set on shooting an older gun, I'd be fastidious with clean lube on the joints and build and maintain a maintenance fund so I'd be less tempted to skrimp on proper maintenance.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544 |
There are no part available for any of these guns. You have to get them made. the good news is that they hardly ever go wrong if properly set up and the 'Royal' is a beautifully built and very simple sidelock with very reliable ejectors. I'd avoid the VERY early models with one lock cocking on opening and the other on closing but they are very early and very rare.
More complex hammerless sidelocks can be tricky (see the post on the Lancaster with the broken spring). I do shoot thousands of rounds in very old guns and some do need rejointing from time to time but that is no biggie.
For reliability the 'Royal' is the benchmark. Except for hammer guns of quality without those pesky ejector things.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,524 Likes: 73
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,524 Likes: 73 |
Holland and Holland Royals are a very well made gun .One of there strengths is there simplicity , they have over the years had several minor changes but the gun is essentially the same .
As with all older guns , the biggest problem is what has been done to the and by whom? I get to see some very nice guns that have been repaired on the cheap in the past which then makes my job harder as I often have to over come the previous work before I can start to do what is required . Dovetails in the hook or having had the action squeezed to tighten for example .
H & H single triggers are for the most part relatively trouble free as is there ejector work , the Boss or Purdey both having more parts . Simplicity that affords the opportunity that most gunsmiths will know the system .
As with all second hand goods ,no matter how you dress it up ,there is risk and I would advise any one to get the thing appraised by competent person ,if there are any doubts . Get written guarantee as well.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,008
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,008 |
This is all very good advice and I thank all respondents.
I have been offered a 1904 H&H Royal that was restocked in 1980 by H&H and the price seems reasonable. Before I have it sent to New England Custom for their professional opinion, is here anything I should be wary of in a gun of this age?
Everything is tight and it hasn't been peened or any other nonsense. It was gone over by H&H at the time or restocking.
I'm not looking for a trap gun to put thousands of rounds thru it but rather a nice-handling English game gun. I am particularly fond of H&H Royals both in appearance and the way they feel to me. And this one fits!
Are there any snakes lurking in the grass with Royals of this age?
Many thanks
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,830 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,830 Likes: 13 |
Did you verify that they really restocked it? You may want want to verify bbl length, too, plus chokes, etc. That info is nice to know, and you never know what you might find out.
Other than that, if the bbls are good and the rest of the gun is sound, I say the gun is good.
I think H&H Royals from that period are some of the nicest ones ever made. They tend to have a bit more "more" to them, little flourishes and touches that make them special.
OWD
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,008
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,008 |
Yes, I saw the H&H restocking correspondence. The gun was sent over to them for the work.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,830 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,830 Likes: 13 |
Excellent. But if you're buying from a dealer, I would get the info staright from H&H in London. I think they'll charge you, but it will be worth it.
Also, check the bbls - length and chokes. A lot can go on with a gun in 108 years.
If you take a glance through a UK auction catalog, you'll see a lot of guns with snipped bbls. You'll want to know if this gun is one of them.
OWD
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