Holland & Holland Limited is a British gunmaker and luxury clothing retailer based in London, England, which sells handmade sporting rifles and shotguns. The company holds two royal warrants.

History

Holland & Holland was founded by Harris Holland (1806–1896) in 1835.

thumb|100px|middle|upright|Portrait of Harris Holland

Harris Holland was born in 1806 in London. Although accounts of his background are somewhat vague, it is believed that his father was an organ builder, while Harris had a tobacco wholesale business in London. He was successful, and was often seen at various pigeon shoots at important London clubs, as well as leasing a grouse moor in Yorkshire.

In 1908, they patented the detachable lock feature with a small lever, for sidelock shotguns. The last major development in the evolution of the sidelock side-by-side gun occurred in 1922, when the H&H assisted-opening mechanism was patented. This gun, the self-opening Royal side-by-side, has been hugely influential in gun-making throughout the world.

In the 1990s, Holland & Holland started a major expansion programme. The company has a gunroom in Dallas and formerly had additional locations. Its gun room in New York City closed in 2017. Its Moscow gun room closed at some point prior to 2024. The company's London flagship store on Bruton Street has been completely renovated and expanded.

Cartridges

Cartridges developed by Holland & Holland:

  • .240 Apex introduced in 1920, produced in belted and rimmed versions.
  • .244 H&H Magnum introduced in 1955.
  • .297/250 Rook introduced before 1880.
  • .275 H&H Magnum introduced in 1912, produced in belted and rimmed versions.
  • .300 Rook also known as the .295 Rook.
  • .300 H&H Magnum introduced in 1912, produced in belted and rimmed versions.
  • .375 Flanged Nitro Express introduced in 1899.
  • .375 H&H Magnum introduced in 1912, produced in belted and rimmed versions..
  • .400/375 Belted Nitro Express introduced in 1905.
  • .400 H&H Magnum introduced in 2003.
  • .500/450 Nitro Express introduced in the late 1890s.
  • .465 H&H Magnum introduced in 2003.
  • .500/465 Nitro Express introduced in 1907.
  • .600/577 Rewa introduced in 1929.
  • .700 Nitro Express introduced in 1988.

See also

  • James Purdey & Sons
  • John Rigby & Company
  • Westley Richards

References