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













[img]http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss275/ebm1973/imagejpg1_zps3caa9053.jpg[/img]

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