For Sale Holland & Holland “Best Quality” Takedown Magazine Rifle In 375 H&H Magnum

[vette447]

I am selling one more classic British rifle out of my collection. This is a Holland & Holland “Best Quality” Magazine rifle in .375 H&H Magnum. This is Holland’s takedown model meaning that the barreled action can be separated from the stock with a single captive coin slot screw being removed. It features nicely figured walnut, a leather covered recoil pad, H&H scope mounts (serial numbered to the gun). The Swarovski scope (3-9x40 Z3) shown mounted is not included but could be added for $500 additional if interested. It does come with the Nickel Marburg scope pictured which came with the gun when I got it.

Please see the Weapon History from H&H for specs, however the highlights are:

Barrel length: 24”

LOP: 14-1/4”

Weight: 8.7 lb


This is a true classic safari rifle made in arguably the most versatile big game caliber by its namesake maker. It feels very elegant in your hands as it shoulders and swings very naturally as you would expect in a rifle such as this.

Price is $14,000 plus actual shipping to your FFL (US only and only where allowed, thanks). Please PM me with questions.

 

[sambarhunter]

A beautiful rifle ( I`m green with envy) and I reckon your price is a very good one too.

I have to say that the trigger guard numbers would be better on a letter box though

 

[Philippe]

Yes ! a beautiful rifle !

 

[rookhawk]

Beautiful rifle. In what way do you define it as a take-down rifle?

Two interpretations of the term are valid:

1.) The stock is removable without any tools so that the stock and action fit in a smaller case. (liberal term)
2.) The barrel and its forend are unscrewed from the action to make the rifle half as long when traveling. (conservative term)

It seems that its a standard rifle, not a take down, but rather you have a detachable scope which is not a "take down". Apologies if I'm in error on this one because you mention a coin slot, but I'm unclear with what that means or where that is on the stock.

Stunning gun!

 

[mdwest]

paperwork says it has a detachable stock..

 

[rookhawk]

paperwork says it has a detachable stock..

I saw that. Looking for some clarification on what that means to the owner so he can describe the means of take down and/or whether it has been restocked losing some of those features? It appears by the one picture of the belly that the two action screws are slotted to be used with a coin rather than a screwdriver? Is that how H&H describes it as a take down or is there just one coinslot screw that needs removal to take the gun apart?

 

[vette447]

There is a single screw holding the barreled action to the stock which can be tightened/loosened with a coin or similar tool allowing for separation of stock and barreled action so that it can be stored in a shorter case. When detached, the magazine box/triggerguard and rear tang are captive (not loose but still stay attached to the stock) and stay with the stock. This is H&H’s mechanism for most of their “takedown” magazine rifles save for some earlier or custom ordered screw apart rifles

 

[vette447]

I should mention the takedown screw is also captive. In other words, when you separate the stock from the barreled action or “take it down”, it is two nice parts with not loose pieces/screws to lose.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Beautiful rifle in excellent caliber.

 

[rookhawk]

I should mention the takedown screw is also captive. In other words, when you separate the stock from the barreled action or “take it down”, it is two nice parts with not loose pieces/screws to lose.

Thanks for the education and clarification that this is a "true takedown" as it isn't obvious even to the trained eye. Truly a magnificent piece. I asked because I'm giving it consideration personally, not just kicking tires.

 

[WAB]

I see that Marco has it out there on FB now. Best of luck with the sale, this is an outstanding rifle. If rookhawk gets serious the rest of us will need to watch carefully to see what treasures he pulls out of the safe to find it.

 

[vette447]

Glad I could help and hope that my explanation made a little more sense. Let me know if I can help with anything else.

 

[TOBY458]

Just curious. Why did they mount the scope on the side of the action like that? Does it line up with your eye correctly?

 

[Wheels]

Beautiful rifle. All the best in getting it sold.

How does the duel safety system work? Is the slide safety set up for use when the scope is used. Does the flag safety have to be on fire to use the slide? Just curious.

 

[vette447]

On the scope mount, the H&H Scope mount is the finest return to zero mount in my opinion. They are just extremely labor intensive to make and mount and thus very expensive to replicate (probably about $3k based on a few estimates that I got to add an H&H mount to another rifle ). I am not 100% sure on the reason for it being on the side but my main guess would be so that you can see the iron sights below it if you choose, although the cheek weld on this one is still great while using the scope. Also, I like that they don't require drilling into the front bridge of a nice rifle as there is often engraving or lettering over the front bridge.

As for the safety, the slider is for use with the scope installed while preserving the ability to use the flag with irons if you choose. Of course, you can use the slider with irons too if that is your preference. They both have to be in "fire" position for it to fire and it is safe if either of them are in the "safe" position.

 

[rookhawk]

Just curious. Why did they mount the scope on the side of the action like that? Does it line up with your eye correctly?

The H&H side scope mounting system is the finest in the world. Indeed, it’s a $3000 job to get it done. It is the ONLY way other than a griffin and Howe side mount to have an unobstructed view of the iron sights when the scope is removed. A claw mount or QD system would obstruct the iron sight picture or cloud the view...not acceptable on a dangerous game rifle. It allows the utmost low installation of a scope which makes for fast target acquisition and much less recoil. These are all the things that matter a great deal but most makers will not do because customers will not pay for things done the right way

You shoot the Buffalo with the scope, pull the optic, then chase it up in the bush with irons. Same with leopard. Odds of pulling off a good shot wirh this arrangement is much greater than with a questionable alternative where fast target acquisition and instinctive response cannot work fast enough with mounts in the way.

So, if you want to see the best, that’s the best. FYI, not even G&H, JJ, or NECG can do this mount setup. ONE supplier exists for the parts in Germany and that’s where Rigby and Holland source them. The parts alone are $600-$800, plus $2000+ in labor and filing for fit by a “competent” gunsmith.

Yeah, it’s a pretty righteous setup.

 

[vette447]

Since we are having fun and for the sake of continuing the education (and maybe helping it sell), I decided to take it out of the safe this evening and take some pics with it taken down.

As I mentioned, a few turns on the captive coin slot screw. Enjoy and thanks for the interest


You can see the captive hardware in the rear tang and magazine box




A look from the top showing the stock serial numbered to the gun



A look at the captive magazine box and takedown screw



The full package taken down:

 

[Jager01]

The H&H side scope mounting system is the finest in the world. Indeed, it’s a $3000 job to get it done. It is the ONLY way other than a griffin and Howe side mount to have an unobstructed view of the iron sights when the scope is removed. A claw mount or QD system would obstruct the iron sight picture or cloud the view...not acceptable on a dangerous game rifle. It allows the utmost low installation of a scope which makes for fast target acquisition and much less recoil. These are all the things that matter a great deal but most makers will not do because customers will not pay for things done the right way

You shoot the Buffalo with the scope, pull the optic, then chase it up in the bush with irons. Same with leopard. Odds of pulling off a good shot wirh this arrangement is much greater than with a questionable alternative where fast target acquisition and instinctive response cannot work fast enough with mounts in the way.

So, if you want to see the best, that’s the best. FYI, not even G&H, JJ, or NECG can do this mount setup. ONE supplier exists for the parts in Germany and that’s where Rigby and Holland source them. The parts alone are $600-$800, plus $2000+ in labor and filing for fit by a “competent” gunsmith.

Yeah, it’s a pretty righteous setup.

The London trade buys their H&H mounts from a manufacturer in England who specializes in manufacturing the mounts, the new rising bite action and double rifle barrels. They do not source them from Prechtl as most say. NECG does do H&H mounts, they use mounts from Prechtl and they stat at $1,0000. Fitting is between 2-3k.

H&H copied the design from early German style claw mounts that were adapted to side fitting. More often then not they are seen on Haenel manufactured rifles on their version of the 88 manufactured actions.

Also, post WW1, H&H changed the style of their rifles and take down mechanism. They went from the tradition screw apart style, to the barreled action being separated from the stock by one quick turn of a screw. Very easy and you don not have to worry about loss of zero or accuracy that are often associated with the various screw apart methods.

If anyone ever wanted to add a London best gun to their collection, this is the chance to do it at a great price!

 

[gizmo]

Dream rifle for sure.

 

[vette447]

Back to the top. I will consider reasonable offers.