I've owned 2 guns by Hollis, one a two & half inch cartridge gun, the oher a percussion gun. Both with twist barrells. Niether one was expensive, but what I would call "nice" guns, easy on the eye, ballanced and good pointers. Mine were marked I Hollis & Sons, and I think this is the most common mark. I have also seen a few J hollis & son guns. The cartridge gun had been fed many modern two & Three quater shells, including heavy slug and buck loads. Not by me, but previous owners used it for pig hunting, and 12 gauge is 12 gauge, right? It did have a slight swell behind the right choke as a result, and was slghtly off face. I shimed the hinge pin with hard brass at .004", found some European 2.5" shells and used it happily for many rounds. I used reasonable charges of blackpowder and #2 shot in the percussion, and enjoyed it on ducks and rabbits. It performed as well as I did, and appart from reloading speed I did not feel disadvantaged compared to friends with newer guns.
As regards the history, I found this on another site, It looks like this person could be worth looking up. I am not well versed in the history of these myself, but I would make room in the safe for them anytime. Just sad we can no longer hang them on the wall to be enjoyed more.
The second name ( goodrich) could mean it was a trade gun, made to be sold by another company.

http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?t=2819&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=15

hollisfreak

IFG Newbie
25 Bullets

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:57 am Post subject: Hollis Shotguns

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1800-Hollis Firearms was formed by Richard and Leonard Alexander Hollis in about 1800 who were Rhodesian Imigrants.
1814- John and Issac Hollis renamed the company Hollis Brothers & Co Issac was 24 and John 22 building a large assortment of weapons and exporting 1215 "Trade Guns" to the USA and for the continent.
1816- Company name changed to I Holllis & Sons (1816-1860)
Although the best known of the Hollis family he is the one with the vision to expand the company.
1845- Issac Brentnall Sneath becomes a silent partner in the company.
1861- The company name is changed again to Hollis & Sons when Richard and Charles Take Over the company.
(A) I Hollis and Sons Sales office opened in London.
The company is now making 12,000 guns per year.
1880- The company changed to Hollis/ Greener when the Hollis Brothers take over Greener Shotguns selling under both names.
1890- US tarriffs introduced on all imported firearms
1893- Clabrough Firearms sells out to Douglas Johnson to become Claybrough & Johnsonmaking 12,000 guns per year.
1914- Hollis / Greener take over Claybough/Johnson
1915- Hollis/Greener take over Bently /Playfair and open up market on the US West Coast.Offices in San Fransisco,New York,Philadelphia,Chicago.
1945- The company Hollis/Bentley/Playfair is broken up and disolved.
I have four of their double hammer sxs Shotguns.
I will post pictures if you like.