Holland & Holland H&H Badminton No. 2 Grade 12 GA Double Guns 1924/1926 C&R
SOLD FOR: $11136.11
LSB#: 211103CW01, 211103CW02
Make: Holland & Holland
Model: Badminton No.2 Grade
Serial Number: 30308, 30248
Year of Manufacture: 1926, 1924
Caliber:
30308: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Nitro Proof
30248: 12 Gauge, 2 1/2″ Nitro Proof
Action Type: Lever Actuated Break Open, Side by Side Shotguns with Dual Triggers, Ejectors and Sidelock Actions. The lockplates are equipped with cocking indicators, but their indicator lines have been worn or polished away.
Markings:
30308: The top of the rib is marked “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 13 BRUTON STREET, LONDON.” and at the rear with “2”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “30308”. Each barrel flat has a series of British proof marks indicating a nitro proof for 2 3/4″ 12 gauge shells. The inside of the forend iron is marked “30308”, the forend nosecap is marked “2”. Each lockplate is marked “HOLLAND & HOLLAND”. The water table is marked on each side with “30308” and British proof marks. The lever is marked “2”. The guard is marked “30308”. The bottom of the wrist has “30308” stamped in the inlet for the guard.
30248: The top of the right barrel is marked “HOLLAND & HOLLAND”, the top of the left “98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON”. The top-rear of the rib is marked “1”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “30248” and with a British proof mark. Each barrel flat has a series of British proof marks indicating a nitro proof for 2 1/2″ 12 gauge shells. The inside of the forend iron is marked “30248”, the forend nosecap is marked “1”. Each lockplate is marked “HOLLAND & HOLLAND”. The water table is marked on each side with “30248” and British proof marks. The lever is marked “1”. The guard is marked “30248”. The bottom of the wrist does not have a serial marking in the inlet for the guard. Each of the “1” markings are in gold.
Each gun has No. 2 Grade border engraving.
Barrel Length: 30”
Choke:
30308: The left barrel is approximately 0.710″ at the muzzle with a constriction of about 0.015″ (Light Modified), the right barrel is approximately 0.720″ at the muzzle with a constriction of about 0.010″ (Improved Cylinder).
30248: The left barrel is approximately 0.715″ at the muzzle with a constriction of about 0.020″ (Modified), the right barrel is approximately 0.726″ at the muzzle with a constriction of about 0.003″ (Cylinder Bore).
Sights / Optics: Each gun has a silver-colored bead at the front of its solid, concave rib.
Weight:
30308: 7 lb., 0.6 oz.
30248: 6 lb., 8.4 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: Each shotgun has two-piece checkered select walnut with splinter forends, straight wrists, straight combs and silver-colored initial plates inlaid to their bellies.
30308: The stocks show minor handling wear with some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are open grain lines at knots on the left of the comb toward the heel, in the belly behind the initial plate and on the top-left of the wrist above the left lockplate. There are no chips or cracks, but there is a dark grain-line on the right of the wrist which may appear like a crack in the photos. The checkering is generally well defined, but appears to have seen some minor sanding. The wood is still well fit to the metal and the edges of the teardrops on the wrist are still strong. The LOP measures 14 5/8″ and 13 3/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the checkered bare butt. The butt shows some scattered nicks and light wear, most notable toward the heel and around the edges. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/8″, drop at comb 2 1/8″. The included Holland & Holland history letter indicates the gun shipped cast off “1” @ face (central vision)”, the cast along the comb at the heel is approximately neutral, but along the belly to the toe is cast off. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refinished.
30248: The stocks show minor handling wear with a few light nicks and scuffs. There are a few minor grain-line cracks around the front edges of the wrist at the receiver and lockplates. The checkering shows some spots of wear and appears to have seen some light sanding, most notable in the wrist checkering, but is generally well defined. There are no chips. The LOP measures 14 5/8″ and 13 3/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the serrated horn buttplate. The plate has minor wear on the exterior with well defined serrations, but there is a crack on the interior face of the plate. Under the plate, the buttstock has a round, roughly drilled channel, likely accounting for the difference in weight between 30248 and 30308. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/8″, drop at heel 2 1/8″. The included Holland & Holland history letter indicates the gun shipped cast off “1/8 inch @ face” and the stock appears to match this though, like 30308, the cast is more notable along the belly to the toe than along the comb to the heel. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue & Coin
Finish Originality: Refinished. The receivers were likely originally case-hardened as some figuring can be barely made out, but they have since been polished. The barrel set for 30308, while serial-matched, does not match the 29″ length noted in the included Holland & Holland history letter, indicating that it is a replacement.
Bore Condition:
30308: The bores are mostly bright. Each bore has some stubborn fouling and spots of minor erosion toward the muzzle-ends.
30248: The bores are mostly bright. Each bore has some stubborn fouling and minor discoloration from oxidation toward the muzzle-ends, but the surface of the bores remains quite smooth.
Overall Condition:
30308: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, most notable on the trigger guard and the rear of the forend iron. The barrels have generally strong finish with a few scattered minor marks and spots of light wear on the left barrel at the muzzle and the top of the right barrel at the chamber. The receiver has some scattered minor erosion, mostly polished out, with a spot of more notable erosion on the right fence. The receiver has some scattered minor nicks and scratches with infrequent faint discoloration from oxidation and some spots of stubborn dried grease. There is a notable nick on the left edge of the trigger guard and the guard has infrequent minor erosion under the finish. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear and sharp to lightly worn, but legible. Overall, this gun rates in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.
30248: This shotgun retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges, most notable on the trigger guard. The barrels have generally strong finish with a few scattered minor marks and a spot of light wear on the top of the right barrel at the chamber. The receiver has scattered minor erosion which has mostly been polished out, some faint discoloration from oxidation and a few scattered light nicks and scratches. The guard has scattered minor erosion under its generally strong finish and a few scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear and sharp to lightly worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The actions function correctly including ejectors. The barrels lock up to each receiver with no play. The safeties engage automatically when the lever is pressed. We did not fire these shotguns. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a leather-bound hard-sided luggage case with brass bolsters at the corners and a brass latch with a lock (no key is included). The case has English-style straps, a carry handle and is fit for both shotguns’ barrel sets and stocked receivers with compartments for accessories. There is a label on top of the lid with “R. Hardy” in gold-colored gothic letters. The inside of the lid has a Holland & Holland label as well as an information sheet for a Royal Hammerless Ejector Gun. One end of the case exterior has a Holland & Holland label with non-matching serial information. The case shows moderate-heavy wear with scattered discoloration and some damage. The interior partitions show wear and some of the blocks have torn free. One of the wrist-straps has come free from the interior of the case. One of the compartments for a barrel set has provision for cleaning rods, but no rods are included. There are some cleaning rod ends included as well as a pair of snap-caps. Holland & Holland weapon history letters are included for each shotgun including copies of the original entries from the H&H history books.
Our Assessment: Founded in 1835 by Harris Holland, Holland & Holland would take on its current name in 1876 when Harris’ nephew and apprentice, Henry, became a full partner. While the great majority of the London Best makers apprenticed with previous greats such as Joseph Manton, Purdey or Boss, Harris is one of the few who appears to have come into the world of gunmaking on his own. The manufacture of fine quality double guns has long been dominated by British firms, and Holland’s being able to rise to the best of the best as something of a dark horse is immensely impressive. By the 1880s, Holland & Holland were making some of the finest guns in the world, winning a number of trials with their rifles as well as developing the patent for a Paradox gun, a shotgun with a partially rifled barrel. In 1908, H&H patented perhaps their most distinguishing feature, locks which could be detached by rotating a small lever. The company is also very well known for the development of cartridges for their rifles, many of which would go on to serve as the parent cartridges for powerful magnum calibers still in use today. The history of Holland & Holland continues to this very day, as they are still turning out gorgeous guns, both production and bespoke. This is an interesting pair of No. 2 Grade “Badminton” double guns from the mid-1920s. According to the included history letters from Holland & Holland, it is a “made” pair. Despite their serial numbers being only 60 apart from one another, the guns were made in 1924 and 1926, respectively, and were originally sold to two different buyers. They have since been brought together and made into an attractive matched pair, being marked “1” and “2”, each with 30″ barrels and straight stocks, though choked slightly differently and one chambered and proofed for 2 3/4″ shells. The guns have been restored, so they look great with strong blue and coin finish and gorgeous figuring in their walnut stocks. This beautiful set will add nicely to any collection and would be especially appreciated by an avid hunter. The included Holland & Holland luggage case makes a nice addition for transport and display. Please see our photos and good luck!