This is my pre-war .300 H&H, in takedown version, built in 1935, it is a classic example of a London-made magnum sporting rifle from the golden era of Holland & Holland. Chambered in the renowned .300 Holland & Holland Magnum cartridge (Super 30), it was designed for long-range hunting and became one of the most respected sporting calibers of its time. The rifle still retains its original Holland & Holland quick detach scope mount along with its original maker’s case. A lovely rifle, built for purpose, at a time when each gun was truly crafted by hand.
World's most popular community & resource for hunting in Africa since 2007
300 Holland & Holland (pre war)
- Thread starter PaulB
- Start date
mark-hunter
AH ambassador
Lovely rifle!
Do you hunt with it? Did you take it to Africa as this rifle deserves?
Do you hunt with it? Did you take it to Africa as this rifle deserves?
Tintin
AH elite
As usual, love everything about it - the rifle, the ‘props’, the lighting and the scope.
Appears to be in fine condition and would surely have played a part in some memorable adventures.
Do you have any insight into provenance and past owners?
Thanks for sharing.
Appears to be in fine condition and would surely have played a part in some memorable adventures.
Do you have any insight into provenance and past owners?
Thanks for sharing.
I have not had the chance to even shoot this one. (I know…blasphemy
). I’ve had it about 1 year, but my collection grew so much this year that I just haven’t gotten to all of them. I will shoot her soon and give a report.Tintin
I found this rifle in South Africa while hunting with my son. It was in a quaint little shop that my PH took me to. The original owner was an Englishman named Lt. Wilbur B. Standley. He ordered the rifle in 1934 and it was completed in 1935. The shop owner got it from a widow in the Northern Cape, and she wasn’t sure how long her husband owned. The gentleman had a large collection of Hollands…I was fortunate enough to buy them all and get them to the US.
Inkgardener
AH veteran
Good problem to have! The pre war H&H 300 and a pre war 416 Rigby are my two dream rifles. Yours is very nice.I have not had the chance to even shoot this one. (I know…blasphemy
That old leather box tops it off.
318AE
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2019
- Messages
- 638
- Reaction score
- 2,472
- Media
- 16
- Hunted
- Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, RSA
Another great addition to your collection. It looks like the version often called a “take apart”, in which the barreled action stays together and comes out of the stock. I think it’s a superior method to threading the barrel and forend from the action.
Im with you, great calibers. Im going to post about one of my pre war 416s soon. The previous owner just happens to be one Mr. Walter Dalrymple Maitland Bell.
Wow!!!!Im with you, great calibers. Im going to post about one of my pre war 416s soon. The previous owner just happens to be one Mr. Walter Dalrymple Maitland Bell.
I’ve got some of the ledgers for my Hollands that are all like this one (taken down or apart at the tang) the ledger entries always note “takedown” so it was always my understanding that the holland version like this was called the tang takedown system. Interestingly enough, I have 7 Westley Richards that come apart (which is what I call them). However the ledgers say “detachable bbl” or sometimes “take-apart” but never takedown regardless of configuration. The system name might always be a mystery…but I love them all!
This is me with all of them (I bought the whole rack like a true addict)
Rigbys
Hollands
Jeffrey’s
Westleys
Boss
Very very cool . I can spot the different rifle makers by the front sight configurations . Nice Jeffery boxlock ( 450/400 ? ) . I can just make out a shot gun - looks like it has H&H detachable locks . Assuming the Boss is a shotgun . Either way a brilliant battery of firearms .
The Jeffery was a rare pinless 450/400 sidelock. It was on the other side of the room. Not in the first pic
Mtn_Infantry
AH legend
- Joined
- May 11, 2021
- Messages
- 2,587
- Reaction score
- 5,755
- Location
- Texas
- Media
- 34
- Member of
- DSC, SCI, NRA, WSF, DU, NWTF
- Hunted
- Zambia, Zimbabwe (Matabeleland North: Hwange & Matabeleland South: Marula/Plumtree), Namibia, South Africa (Limpopo, Free State, North West, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Gauteng)
Absolutely amazing rifle in one of my all time favorite 30 calibers. You need to take her back to Africa at some point.
To say I’m jealous of you find is an understatement, but glad it was your bank account and not mine taking the hit.
To say I’m jealous of you find is an understatement, but glad it was your bank account and not mine taking the hit.
farmer_john
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2025
- Messages
- 952
- Reaction score
- 1,285
Whats the process for importing for stuff like that
Thanks for clarifying Paul . Your “off the rack “ purchase is superb .
st gets better and better.
LimbNoMo
AH enthusiast
- Joined
- May 31, 2024
- Messages
- 443
- Reaction score
- 1,022
- Location
- Arlington, Texas
- Hunted
- Texas, South Africa
We found bidder #22! 
Of course the firearms are stunning. I also like that gun rack. I have some 200 year old American Chestnut beams I am tempted to build a similar rack.
It took me a few tries to work out all the kinks. Now i have a pretty good system. It takes about 6-8mo unless you know the right people to incentivize
Members online
- Lopehunter
- Sarg
- MEYRICK BOWKER SAFARIS
- leslie hetrick
- Scott CWO
- rob7mm08
- grt500
- yumastepside
- Philippe
- Hedge774
- CJNJ
- mark-hunter
- Isreghfdg
- pimes
- AfricaHunting.com
- JPetroni
- 04sika
- Tgood1
- Betterinthebush
- oscar1975
- Certus
- Aussie Chris
- RSL
- High Country Hunts
- Gerty
- Tommen
- PressureAu
- No Promises
- Wade J VanGinkel
- loranveceeer
- Rhomphaia
- Tim Blackwell
- SteveNZ
- wyosteve
- Kalthoff
- HoosierHunter
- Miletic
- Sanglier14
- John the Electrician
- jpg
- vati
- Jamy Traut Hunting Safaris
- Gomer
- Brickman301
- BigGame
- 318AE
- Cranhill
- Wes350
- WesRic404Jeff
- Ericedwinbates
