Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles My visit to Holland and Holland, London, UK

I had an 8 hour layover in London yesterday and took the opportunity to visit Holland and Holland. I highly recommend it. The shopkeepers were very friendly and engaging and the store had an amazing collection of single and double rifles, shotguns, Swarovski binoculars, hunting and tracking books, clothing, art, collectables and antiquities. It was a great way to spend a morning.

They told me that they sell about 12 double rifles, a few dozen bolt guns and 60 or so shotguns per year. The most popular caliber is 375 H&H, although the 470 is also very strong.

Eric













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Never been but I'd feel comfortable stating - that's not a store, it's an art gallery.

Been there and done that, but the few people other than the door man had broom sticks up their a$$es (in my opinion).

I had spent the day bumming London, which I enjoyed very much and thought I had looked presentable enough but sure did feel out of place.

+1

I would enjoy a vist to the H&H shop.

What a neat opportunity. Thanks for sharing. I'm in agreement with teal. I'd be afraid to touch anything.

It wasn't too busy so I spent some time chatting it up with their gun room guy. I had fun sharing some aspects of my recent hunt in South Africa. He said his coworker is a former PH from Namibia, and told him the best place to shoot a croc is right down the throat (waiting until the mouth is open) to avoid damaging the trophy part/ skull. He said many Arabs and Russians order double rifles with scopes, which he scoffed at as a macho display of seeing how far out you can hit with a double, but on the other hand he said that some guys have poor eyesight so he could understand wanting a little help if that is the case. For the shotguns, he said most fellows order 12 ga, but move to 20's once they hit their 50's and realize they don't need the extra lead in the air to bring down birds.

Eric

Amazing that they have in stock more guns than they will sell in a year

It was incredible to see rifles priced at $150-250K.

I asked him whether they have many heads of state as buyers and he said hunting has become very political so buyers are usually successful businessmen looking for an heirloom piece.

Eric

I am jealous, I am sure that was an awesome experience
Did they say what percentage of people that come through their doors are buyers vs lookers?

He didn't say but I imagine that they have a fair share of lookers. A few Russians were in the store for awhile but they didn't ask any questions or engage.

I am kicking myself for not buying a book called "The Best of Holland & Holland", which had beautiful illustrations.

Eric

A few more photos:







Eric

Wow that's cool. Thanks for the pictures...

Super cool, those are dandy rifles.

This one is just my style. What stunning work of functional art.



Thanks for sharing.

I love that price check on aisle g. Lmao!!

I've always been fond of the H&H gargoyle, dragon and grotesques engravings. The book I mentioned earlier had some fantastic examples, some more elaborate, and others with a cleaner look.

Eric

I know the book -- I've fondled it at a friend's place.

Anyway, it is not too late, Eric... about a hundred bucks.

The book at Amazon

John

John,

Thanks for the link, that is it! They were selling theirs for �50 in the store. I may have to just spring for it via Amazon.

Eric

Eric,

Always happy to help somebody here on the 'Fire spend their money!

God knows you guys have done it to me often enough!

John

Hey John, check your PM's.

Thanks,
Terry

Thanis for taking he time to post pictures

THIS!

I have found the gentlemen from H&H who attend the SCI convention to also be freindly and engaging types. And, they were kind enough to allow me to handles some exquisite firearms.

Glad you got to go, Eric.

SWEET!!!

Dale

Very cool Eric. Thanks for sharing!!!

Happy to share, fellas!!

Eric

When I think of Holland and Holland, I think of my pre 64 model 70 375 . Thanks for shedding some light though. At least you made the best of your lay over and you shared some cool pictures and story with us...

Thanks Eric. Thats some amazing work. To see it in person would truely be a great experience.

I'm wayyy to lite in the wallet for that place but sure would like to look.

My problem is I would only really be interested in the bolt guns I can't get used to double triggers.

I can shoot them just not my preference.

Mike

BSA, one of these days you'll have to take a photo lineup of your pre-64 collection. I'm losing track of all of them! lol.

If money were no object, I'd buy an H&H double in a heartbeat.

Eric

Not being able to afford an H&H double gun, I have been eyeing the Sabbatti in 9.3x74R for some time. That one, I might be able to swing some day.

That looks good to us now, but I've been told by an out doorsy type preacher, that the wally world gun counter in Heaven looks just like that.

My experience as well. Having been a firearms enthusiast my whole life, I went to Boss, Purdey, and Holland's one day ( they are all within a few blocks of each other).

Boss gave me a tour of the basement where I meet and talked to the craftsmen. They could not have been more accommodating.

Purdey's took me on a tour including the "long room" and let me handle several historic guns.

Holland and Holland did not talk to me or ask me if I needed help. I wandered around their showroom for 45 minutes while the counter guy looked bored. He clearly had time to, but no interest in, helping me.

All are expensive guns, at the time an H&H was the only one I could have afforded if I really wanted it- Now, I wouldn't own one under any circumstances. I am sure they are not loosing sleep over it. I did want to put a plug in for Boss and Purdey, truly one of the best days I have spent ever.

Tcp,

Purdey was on my list but I had such a good time at H&H I ran short on time. I'll have to keep them in mind, as well as Boss, for my next opportunity. Looks like you had a great experience at both. I wonder if H&H has different folks working now? It was very positive for me.

Cheers,
Eric

Awesome pictures Eric.. I'll have to look them up when I go through there next time.

Very neat Eric. Thanks for posting. Interesting that the last gun shop I went in a couple of weeks ago, just down the road from me, had a sign in the used gun section that said no photo's allowed...of the basic used $300 rifles with $30 scopes...

It would have been nice if you'd have taken some pics of their stainless/synthetic offerings while you were there.

LAFFIN! That was a good one!

Could be an addition to the worlds shortest books collection, with a title like "Stainless Steel and synthetic stock best quality British rifles"

There are gunsmiths (see custom gunmakers guild) and there are parts assemblers. The two are not the same.

Thanks for the great comment there.