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FULTON
.224 member


Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois
Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle
      #109378 - 10/07/08 08:11 AM

For some reason my previous Post on this subject disappeared from the forum with all the useful info the threads contained.

I'm lost for a reason why... can someone help?? Do I need to start over??


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4seventy
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Reged: 07/05/03
Posts: 2210
Loc: Queensland Australia
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: FULTON]
      #109382 - 10/07/08 08:52 AM

FULTON,
I have no idea what has happened to your thread.
Your post count is only 1 which is the one above.
Sorry that I cannot help.

John, any ideas.?


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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: 4seventy]
      #109392 - 10/07/08 09:40 AM

Fulton-

Are you referring to the discussion that has been going on over at the DoubleGunShop.com site?
Link To thread at DoubleGunShop.com

Perhaps you could refresh us here on what's going on with your nice rifle, Fulton.

For the sake of lubricating this conversation, here are some images of the rifle Fulton has been asking for information about over at the other site.
There is also an incomplete assortment of tools associated with the rifle (I didn't bother linking images of all of them here - think bits and parts of a BPE cased rifle kit), the coolest of which I have included in this series - which I believe to be a mould for 'grease cookie' lube wads. I haven't seen one of these included in a brit BPE rifle kit before. The other tools are typical card punch, hollowpoint pin for a mould (mould is absent) etc.
No maker's case, no maker's information.

What Fulton does know is as follows:
(quoted from his source site)

Fulton's Rifle Page

It's a Holland & Holland doubles gun.
It appears to be a 50 cal. although it is NOT stated on the gun.
The barrels are rifled and in good shape.
The serial # is 8594
Engraved on the side of the gun: "Charge 5 Drams - Case 3-1/4 Inches"
The address on the gun reads: 58 New Bond Street, London
Also engraved on the gun: "Winners of all the field trials - London 1883"
The gun came with no case but did come with a number of reloading tools that I can't identify. (See below)
There's no model # on the gun. There's a number on the bottom of the barrels: " H122"
The gun is not in good shape... lots of scratches on the wood, some pit marks on the steel, but looking down the barrels, they look OK.
I can't get the gun open.. the lever (on the bottom of the trigger guard) is stuck, unless there's a trick to opening it.
I'm trying to find out a little history on the gun, and age.
I would like to identify the reloading parts.
Would this gun use black powder ???
Any thoughts on a value ????
Your help would be greatly appreciated...













Fulton, I'll reiterate some of what was noted over at DGS with a quote from 400NitroExpress which pretty much sums up an introduction to the rifle.

"Looks to be a Holland No. 2 Grade Hammerless LOG rifle in .500 3 1/4" Express. It's a black powder gun. The charge marked is the 136 grains of black that was normal for that cartridge, which most commonly used a 440 grain lead bullet. It's a useful cartridge, and pleasant to shoot."

Also noted over there is the fact that what he's got here is a valuable (even though it's been mildly butchered) and rare double rifle that needs the attention of a highly qualified double rifle mechanic/gunbuilder like JJ at Champlin Arms.

Y'all can take it over from here.


--Tinker


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FULTON
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Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: tinker]
      #109404 - 10/07/08 12:40 PM

TINKER:

Seem like I'm getting more indebted to you every time I log on to one of these forums.. thanks for putting this stuff on for me.

Here is the actual link if the guys want to see a few more of the reloading tools.. http://web.mac.com/berniedietz/Site/Blank.html

Thanks again

Fulton




http://web.mac.com/berniedietz/Site/Blank.html


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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: FULTON]
      #109416 - 10/07/08 03:39 PM

Fulton-

I had done quite a bit of work linking your images to my post above here.
Somehow, they're not showing anymore.
Did you change the code on the page you created for the rifle, or ask an administrator to take them down?

There had been a full pictorial of the rifle up here earlier tonight.
Having the images visible, in the thread, makes it much easier for the members of this site engage in this effort and identify what you have here.


Again, good luck with your rifle.


--Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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ChrisPer
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Reged: 12/05/08
Posts: 235
Loc: Australia
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: tinker]
      #109417 - 10/07/08 04:29 PM

If you click his link, the page says his host has the site down for 'scheduled maintenance'. Looked an interesting piece while it was up!

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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: ChrisPer]
      #109419 - 10/07/08 05:02 PM

Pity.

It is indeed a cool rifle.
Perhaps the website host has a traffic/bandwidth limit.
Could be we've hit it with too much traffic.



--Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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ChrisPer
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Posts: 235
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Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: tinker]
      #109442 - 11/07/08 12:07 AM

Looks fine now!

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FULTON
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Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: ChrisPer]
      #109444 - 11/07/08 12:46 AM

TINKER:

I have not changed the link to the H&H page. That page is on the APPLE .Mac server and they're in the process of updating it, iPhones, iTunes, etc. in anticipation of the new 3G release Friday. It's probably been down for maintenance but for the moment it's back up and running again although I can't seem to get into my .mac account right now.

Fulton


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tinker
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Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: FULTON]
      #109455 - 11/07/08 04:39 AM

Fixed!

Thanks for the explanation Fulton.
The images and what little story we have on the gun so far will hopefully get the attention of our members and stimulate some good conversation on your neat old BlackPowderExpress rifle.

As far as personal debt goes, you owe me nothing mate!
I'm very much glad that you had the mind to get this rife and it's story out on the web for discussion.

I'll repeat that you have a valuable (even if somewhat mildly butchered) piece of the 'good old days' of gunmaking and hunting.
What you'll find here is that there are some very well educated and highly knowledgeable folk who will take great pleasure in walking you through the works, function, care and feeding, and field use of your Holland and Holland double rifle.

If it were mine (and I'd be happy to own it) I'd get it up and running as soon as my schedule and budget would allow.
I'd get it out on a hunt first chance I got. I take great pride in feeding the family with fresh meat taken with 100+ year old guns and rifles.
That's first level recycling at it's best!

Here's a deal.
If you feel so compelled, when it comes time you want to sell that nice old rifle, whatever condition the guts end up being in, let me know and give me a shot at buying it.
I've turned other 'old wrecks' around before, and I'd be thrilled with the opportunity to breathe life back into the one you've shown us this week.



--Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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4seventy
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Reged: 07/05/03
Posts: 2210
Loc: Queensland Australia
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: tinker]
      #109472 - 11/07/08 08:29 AM

Tinker,
Just a quick note to say thanks for sorting this one out.
Great job!
Gotta go, thanks again.


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tinker
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Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: 4seventy]
      #109473 - 11/07/08 08:32 AM

470-

It's always a pleasure to further the well-being of this community.



--Tinker


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Nakihunter
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Reged: 13/10/07
Posts: 588
Loc: New Zealand
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: tinker]
      #109482 - 11/07/08 12:23 PM

That is a sweet looking rifle. I could live with it & hunt with it!

--------------------
Always shoot through the target & not just at it.


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peter
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Reged: 11/04/07
Posts: 1493
Loc: denmark
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: Nakihunter]
      #109494 - 11/07/08 05:27 PM

fulton

congrats on a fine rifle, get a good gunsmith to look it over for you, it looks like it could be a sweet shooting 50'


best regards

peter


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FULTON
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Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: peter]
      #109553 - 12/07/08 01:58 AM

GUYS:

You have a great community here and it blows my mind the knowledge base in this community. I thank everyone for their regards and information.

A new twist though, I made a few long distance call yesterday and found out this rifle got to the States via India. It originally belonged to a Colonel in the army and was purchased from him in 1945. It made its way to the USA around 1981.

All the best

Fulton


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tinker
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Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: FULTON]
      #109560 - 12/07/08 04:32 AM

Fulton-

The rifle's passage through India doesn't surprise me a bit.
The amount of finish and metal removed from it during the 're-blue' process was likely in account for surface pitting or mild corrosion from the humid climate there.

The issue of it being 'stuck' may also have to do with it's life in the humidity of India.

This rifle was definitely not 'blued' from the factory, rather it most surely had a rich case-colored finish like this Lancaster in 6.5x53r



What a beauty it is too.
I would really love to have that rifle!



--Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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FULTON
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Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: tinker]
      #109565 - 12/07/08 07:21 AM

TINKER:

My telephone calls yesterday also revealed that 4 years ago, the rifle in question, was in three pieces (Forearm, barrel, and receiver/stock) and was later put together. It was not stored in a damp basement so I can't imaging that in the last 4 years it has "rusted" shut to a point that it can't be easily freed up. I could be wrong though.

I think a 2 lb. hammer would work nicely. HuH ?

Fulton


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Bramble
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Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: FULTON]
      #109568 - 12/07/08 08:38 AM

Fulton

NEVER NEVER use a hammer.
The correct way to do this is to apply lots of penetrating oil over several weeks. Then grasping the barrels at the extreme ends with the toe of the stock facing to the right, swing the gun in a violent horizontal left hand arc at a speed not less than 30 m/s. The comb to impact a firmly rooted tree.
I find Mahogany to be the best.

Regards


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FULTON
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Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: Bramble]
      #109570 - 12/07/08 09:35 AM

Well Bramble, I searched the neighborhood and could not find a Mahogany tree. However I did find a Big Oak tree.

Now I'm looking for someone to repair a splintered stock. Is that a walnut or cherry stock?

But the good news is the rifle is now open... no rust... it was just stuck.

Fulton


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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: Bramble]
      #109571 - 12/07/08 09:51 AM

Fulton-

I'm not suggesting the rifle is rusted shut.
I am however noting that since the rifle was likely campaigned in India, the works of the locks, safety system, triggers, cocking system etc may well have been affected by the humid climate.

I do not know perfectly well the patent design of that hammerless backaction sidelock Lever Over Guard double rifle action.

The properly qualified gunbuilder will.
This may simply be a case for penetrating oil.
It is also possible you could end up screwing your stock up by getting that penetrating oil into the head of your stock.

Does the safety selector switch work?
Are you able to remove the forend?
Do you know for double damn sure that there are not cartridges in the chambers?
Are you sure of that?
Consider the possibility that some dude put a pair of fired cases in the chambers, snapped the strikers to relieve the springs, then left it that way - and since then the brass has somehow corroded, swelled, and stuck in your chambers - sticking the gun shut.

You got a cleaning rod that's longer than those barrels?
Drop it down the muzzles and see if it makes it's way down to the breechface. If it does, grab your laser pointer and shine it down those bores and take a peek.
Are you looking at your standing breech and strikers or are you looking into the bellies of some spent brass?

That's just a thought.
Could be anything really.

I'll say it again though - send it to JJ at Champlin Arms and get it over with.
The cost of replacing or repairing parts damaged or broken along the road to discovery could pretty much leave you with no residual value in the rifle.
A checkup at JJ's won't cost much, a phone call to him will cost nothing.



--Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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mehulkamdar
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Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
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Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: FULTON]
      #109620 - 13/07/08 02:59 AM

Fulton,

Very interesting rifle! Hope to see the restoration project here and also to see you hunting with her soon.

Tinker,

Thank you very much for your always cheerful contribution to the forum in bringing more and mroe interesting guns for us to look at.

Good hunting, gentlemen!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar


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Boss577
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Reged: 14/08/06
Posts: 15
Loc: Northwest Wisconsin
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #109628 - 13/07/08 03:32 AM

I had a top lever rifle with this action. It is the early "Climax" action. Man do I love that name!
Mine was a 450-400 2-3/8" case. Same large protruding action balls that are larger than the barrel diameter. Some may think it's the Dominion, but this action pre-dates it.

Wish I still had the rifle. Gold washed internals,that was pretty common on some Holland Guns and Rifles. Really trim rifle.

Mark


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Farhan
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Reged: 31/01/07
Posts: 52
Loc: Pakistan
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: Boss577]
      #109632 - 13/07/08 04:37 AM

it seems to me holland and holland 2nd grade hammerless underlever rifle in 500 no : 2
i have one r b rohda in this cal which i bought from afghanistan and it,s box also has similer reloding tools.


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FULTON
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Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois
Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: Farhan]
      #109664 - 13/07/08 10:49 AM

Gentlemen:

I have posted a new picture on my page.. http://web.mac.com/berniedietz/Site/Blank.html

It's the flat side of the bottom of the barrel. A gunsmith in London tells me that "39 bore" is .493

Your thoughts ???



--Tinker

Yes, the safety switch works.
Yes, I did get the forend off.. no issues
The first thing I did before I put the rifle in my car was to look down the barrel with a flashlight and I could see the firing pins.
That Oak Tree worked, the rifle is now open.

FULTON


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tinker
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Posts: 4835
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Re: Holland & Holland - help to identify rifle [Re: FULTON]
      #109667 - 13/07/08 01:41 PM

Fulton-

That's the inside diameter of your barrels at the first proof, before they were rifled and finished.

A rifle goes through numerous stages of inspection and proof before it's finished and finally leaves the maker.



--Tinker


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