Josef Winkler Austrian .300 Holland & Holland H&H Double Rifle, 1967 C&R
SOLD FOR: $6974
LSB#: 210906MB02
Make: Josef Winkler
Model: Double Rifle
Serial Number: 42 2957
Year of Manufacture: 1967
Caliber: .300 Holland & Holland Magnum (H&H Mag)
Action Type: Sidelock Double Rifle with Removable Sideplates, Ejectors, Cocking Indicators and Dual Triggers
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “CAL. .300/.300 H.&H. MAGN.” between the rear sight and the rear scope mount. The bottom of the rib, covered by the forend when installed, is marked “-JOSEF WINKLER FERLACH AUSTRIA-“. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “42 2957”, “JW” in oval and “K”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “BOHLER * ANTINIT – NG”, “.300 H&H-MG.” and with Ferlach proofs. The barrel flats each have Ferlach proofs with “1361.67” on the right flat (1,361st gun proofed at the proof house in 1967). The inside of the forend iron is marked “42 2957”. The water table is marked with Ferlach proofs, “1361.67” and “42 2957”. The receiver has full coverage tight scroll relief engraving, the pattern continuing across the seams of the lockplates, screw heads, the folding sideplate lever and which cleverly incorporates the pin heads and cocking indicators. The engraving motif carriers over onto the guard, lever, grip cap, the cover for the cartridge storage compartment in the belly, the muzzle-end of the rib, the exposed portions of the forend iron, latch assembly, and the breech-end of the barrels. The grip cap has a gold inlaid “LPH” monogram.
Barrel Length: 25 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in-line dovetailed to a rise at the front of the solid rib. The rear sight is a fixed leaf which has a wide “V”-notch with a small “U”-notch at the bottom, dovetailed to the rear of the rib. The rear and top faces of the leaf as well as its base are matted for glare reduction. The top of the rib is finely serrated for glare reduction. German-style claw-mount bases are dovetailed to the rib with claw mounts installed on the included Carl Zeiss Diavari 1.5-6x scope with German-post reticle (serial 735490). The scope has wear through the coating of the body on the top-right at and behind the elevation turret, a spot of wear on the top-right just in front of the magnification ring and some other scattered light marks, retaining clear glass, in about Very Good condition.
Weight: 9 lb., 1.4 oz. without scope installed, 10 lb., 4.2 oz. with scope installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with semi-beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb with European-style cheekpiece, brown rubber Pachmayr Old English buttpad, and and trapdoor compartment in the belly with storage for four cartridges. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, compressions, scuffs and scratches. There is a patch of more notable compressions in the right of the wrist, another on the left near the heel and a scratch in the left of the forend toward the rear which comes down from the top edge into the checkering. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ and 12 3/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 12 5/8″ and 11 5/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad shows scattered light wear and discoloration, but is still fairly supple. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue Barrels, Coin Receiver, Alloy Trapdoor and Gold Accents
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bores.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrels have some scattered minor nicks, scratches and handling marks with finish wear at the muzzles and a spot of wear on the left barrel just in front of the top-front of the forend. The receiver’s coin finish is strong throughout. The guard has strong blue finish. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp and properly timed. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The barrels lock up with no play. There appears to be a piece of solder which has come loose inside the barrel rib, when the barrels are turned end-over-end it can be heard falling through the hollow of the rib, but we see no external signs of rib separation. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the Zeiss scope as described, a leather luggage case with brass corner bolsters, serial-matching Josef Winkler test-target, oiler, spare front and rear sights, cleaning rod and bore mop, and a key for the case’s lock. The lid of the case has “LPH” stamped into the leather with “300 H&H / #1361.67 / 42 2957” hand-written. The case shows scattered storage wear, scuffs, discoloration, and fraying at some edges.
Our Assessment: Most frequently chambered for potent cartridges and giving the user an extremely fast and reliable follow-up shot, double rifles have long been considered the quintessential gun for safaris and dangerous game. This example was made in the village of Ferlach by Austrian gunmaker Josef Winkler. Ferlach has long been a hub of Austrian gun making, having the nation’s second proof house (the other being in Vienna). While information about Winkler is limited, the quality of its work speaks for itself. The fit, finish and full coverage tight scroll engraving are a match for British Best guns while the quick-detach claw mounts for the included Zeiss scope show the rifle’s Germanic heritage. The included test target shows that the rifle is well regulated at 100 meters. The rifle is in Fine condition with about 96% of its metal finish, wear in the stocks consistent with some use in the field, great bores and a tight lockup. This rifle still has more trips in the field left, and would make a nice safari gun while also being suitable for large North American game and predators. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a drop-dead gorgeous, too! This will take a prized place in any collection, whether you’re looking for a powerful hunting gun or a very high quality Austrian double rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!