On top of all that, the forend wood was badly split and a section had broken off and been badly glued. No wall gauges meant I had to risk it or leave it. 719” but it was originally a 13-bore (.710”) and therefore close to being out of proof now. The barrels were pitted badly, with a few dents for good measure. I do not recommend readers follow my example in this respect! Holland number 1697 cost me half the current price of a safari shirt from Holland & Holland’s shop in Bruton Street and it was a punt as I did not have a wall gauge with me when I shook hands on the deal. The 29” damascus barrels bore the 98 New Bond Street address, which Harris Holland’s firm occupied from 1858 until 1960. Amongst the scrap was an example of Mr Holland’s enterprise, in the form of a 12-bore back-action hammer gun with non-rebounding locks and a Jones under-lever. He had a pile of old, worn and rusty hammer guns accumulated over the years from local farmers.
Visiting an estate near Dumfries in June, I went to see a local part-time gun dealer. One of his earlier efforts made its way to Scotland, which is where I found it. He may well have done but it was not until 1893 that Holland & Holland built their factory on Harrow Road and even then they continued to have their hammer guns and lower grade hammerless guns and rifles built in the trade, to their exacting quality standards. Nigel Brown believes Harris Holland later took a practical role in gun production himself. Holland guns are lost to history but they would have been trade makers in London and Birmingham. His nephew Henry Holland joined him in 1876, when Holland & Holland became the company style. Seeing a clear business opportunity, Harris ordered guns made to his specification and retailed them from 9 King Street, Holborn, under the name H. He appears to have gained enough kudos among fellow shooters for them to start asking him to get them guns and rifles like the ones he used so successfully himself. He was a good shot with both rifle and shotgun, regularly competing in live-pigeon competitions at Hornsey Wood Tavern. Rather than being a gunmaker, Harris Holland was a tobacconist, whose passion was competitive shooting. In fact, it would be six years before the firm’s founder, Harris Holland, was to take in his nephew Henry and create the iconic brand which now graces London’s Bruton Street.