Darlow & Co. H&H? British 16 GA 28″ Full/Imp Mod SXS Double Shotgun, C&R

SOLD FOR: $2175

LSB#: 220106RP003

Make: Darlow & Co.

Model: Boxlock Double Gun

Serial Number: H19774

Year of Manufacture: We believe the barrels were made between 1917 and 1940 when “Darlow & Co.” was used as the trading name of the Darlow firm. The barrels have been proofed since 1955.

Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells

Action Type: Top-Break Side by Side with Extractor

Markings: The top of the rib is marked “DARLOW & Co. NORWICH”, the bottom of the rib is marked “H19774”. The barrel flats have post-1954 Birmingham proofs. The water table has Birmingham proof marks and each side of the receiver is marked “H & H”. The guard has a worn, illegible serial marking. The receiver has light scroll engraving with motif continuing on the exposed portion of the forend iron, lever, the rear of the rib and around the rear edge of the barrels.

Barrel Length: 28”

Choke: Left: Full, Right: Improved Modified, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: There is a silver colored bead at the front of the rib.

Weight: 5 lb., 15.3 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb and black rubber Pachmayr buttpad. The stocks show light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly finished over. The checkering is sharp. There are a couple of thin cracks in the top of the wrist to the right of the top tang. There are no chips. The wood is generally shy to the metal. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 1/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the pad, 13 1/4″ and 12 3/8″ to the back of the wood. The cast is about neutral. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 1/8″. The pad has minor wear and is still fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Refinished. It is possible that the barrels are not original to the receiver (see Our Assessment).

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bores, but there is some stubborn fouling in front of the forcing cones.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The barrels and lever retain strong blue finish with some scattered minor marks. The receiver is worn to white with scattered discoloration from oxidation. There is a notable scratch on the right receiver flat across the “H & H” marking and a scrape at the left-rear. There is some scattered blue finish on the bottom plate. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition as refinished and possibly not parts original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is an interesting British shotgun which could make a fun research project for the lucky winner. It should also make a fine fowling piece. Chambered for 2 3/4″ 16 gauge shells, the gun is light and fast-handling with fairly tight chokes. It retains good bores, a tight lockup and is a good example of a quality British double gun. It is a bit of a mystery, though. The barrels are marked “Darlow & Co”, the Darlow firm has operated under a few different name variations and this one was used from 1917-1940, though the barrels have post-1954 Birmingham proofs. The receiver is marked “H&H” on each side, which presents a few different possibilities. The most obvious is that someone was using the well-earned reputation of Holland & Holland to increase the perceived value of their product. Like other high-end British gunmakers, Holland & Holland also would produce parts for gun assemblers, perhaps making the receiver to be fitted with barrels and stocks from other makers, and this marking may simply imply that they made the action for another assembler. Either one of these may be true, and it is even possible that a previous owner took the action to Darlow to have new barrels fit to it, perhaps after the original barrel set was damaged. In any case, as the gun sits now, it is a trim British 16 gauge double with good-looking wood and a tight lockup. Whether you’re looking to dig into the details or just drop some birds, this will make a nice addition to any safe. Please see our photos and good luck!

LSB#: 220106RP003

Make: Darlow & Co.

Model: Boxlock Double Gun

Serial Number: H19774

Year of Manufacture: We believe the barrels were made between 1917 and 1940 when “Darlow & Co.” was used as the trading name of the Darlow firm. The barrels have been proofed since 1955.

Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells

Action Type: Top-Break Side by Side with Extractor

Markings: The top of the rib is marked “DARLOW & Co. NORWICH”, the bottom of the rib is marked “H19774”. The barrel flats have post-1954 Birmingham proofs. The water table has Birmingham proof marks and each side of the receiver is marked “H & H”. The guard has a worn, illegible serial marking. The receiver has light scroll engraving with motif continuing on the exposed portion of the forend iron, lever, the rear of the rib and around the rear edge of the barrels.

Barrel Length: 28”

Choke: Left: Full, Right: Improved Modified, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: There is a silver colored bead at the front of the rib.

Weight: 5 lb., 15.3 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb and black rubber Pachmayr buttpad. The stocks show light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly finished over. The checkering is sharp. There are a couple of thin cracks in the top of the wrist to the right of the top tang. There are no chips. The wood is generally shy to the metal. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 1/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the pad, 13 1/4″ and 12 3/8″ to the back of the wood. The cast is about neutral. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 1/8″. The pad has minor wear and is still fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Refinished. It is possible that the barrels are not original to the receiver (see Our Assessment).

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bores, but there is some stubborn fouling in front of the forcing cones.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The barrels and lever retain strong blue finish with some scattered minor marks. The receiver is worn to white with scattered discoloration from oxidation. There is a notable scratch on the right receiver flat across the “H & H” marking and a scrape at the left-rear. There is some scattered blue finish on the bottom plate. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition as refinished and possibly not parts original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is an interesting British shotgun which could make a fun research project for the lucky winner. It should also make a fine fowling piece. Chambered for 2 3/4″ 16 gauge shells, the gun is light and fast-handling with fairly tight chokes. It retains good bores, a tight lockup and is a good example of a quality British double gun. It is a bit of a mystery, though. The barrels are marked “Darlow & Co”, the Darlow firm has operated under a few different name variations and this one was used from 1917-1940, though the barrels have post-1954 Birmingham proofs. The receiver is marked “H&H” on each side, which presents a few different possibilities. The most obvious is that someone was using the well-earned reputation of Holland & Holland to increase the perceived value of their product. Like other high-end British gunmakers, Holland & Holland also would produce parts for gun assemblers, perhaps making the receiver to be fitted with barrels and stocks from other makers, and this marking may simply imply that they made the action for another assembler. Either one of these may be true, and it is even possible that a previous owner took the action to Darlow to have new barrels fit to it, perhaps after the original barrel set was damaged. In any case, as the gun sits now, it is a trim British 16 gauge double with good-looking wood and a tight lockup. Whether you’re looking to dig into the details or just drop some birds, this will make a nice addition to any safe. Please see our photos and good luck!