British Bull’s Eye
Elegance, classic workmanship, luxury and history. Among weapon aficionados, the Holland & Holland brand is coveted above all others. A series of splendid hunting weapons from nothing less than the purveyor of weapons to Britain’s royal family are now being put up for auction.
A Live Auction on 5 March will include Holland & Holland’s ‘Royal’ calibre 7 mm, flanged magnum double rifle with sidelock ejector in its original oak and leather case. This iconic rifle is estimated at DKK 180,000–-200,000. The corporate history of the prestigious English brand Holland & Holland dates all the way back to 1835. Since then, the company has managed to produce the finest weapons on the market, and their unrivalled subtleties, superb craftsmanship and perfect combination of art and functionality have made them renowned all over the world. The company has won the particular favour of the British royal family. Nowadays, the company’s products, including both weapons and apparel, radiate British elegance.
Founding and Export Promotion
It was tobacco manufacturer Harris Holland who, himself a hunting and expert target-shooting enthusiast, laid the cornerstone of the company, which originally combined weapons-making with the tobacco trade. From 1850, he put tobacco to one side and entered into business as a weapons dealer in the fashionable Mayfair district on Bond Street. His nephew Henry William Holland joined the company later on, fostering the company name Holland & Holland. All of this was excellently timed. The rapidly expanding British Empire and the English upper class could both afford and had a need for these handmade weapons. Able-bodied men took Holland & Holland’s products with them out into the world where the weapons became coveted collectors’ items among the upper class in India, among other places. This also meant that Holland & Holland had their prosperous countrymen to thank for an export bonanza that gave wealthy foreigners an opportunity to acquire the most exquisite weapons on the market. Holland & Holland could now deliver a complete range of weapons for hunting and sporting pursuits all over the world.
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“Holland & Holland has been the epitome of classic English craftsmanship at its best for almost 200 years. Its products combine knowledge and technical expertise with an exquisite selection of materials, such as Turkish walnut and beautifully crafted chasing. Bidding for a Holland & Holland rifle will include this long-standing history, as there is simply nothing better on the market.”
Ralph LexnerHead of Department and specialist in collector and hunting weapons at Bruun Rasmussen
Product Development
A number of models were manufactured at the company’s own factory, but when it couldn’t keep up with the demand any longer, other manufacturers supplied them. The company received a licence to manufacture weapons for the British army during both world wars. This is when special types of ammunition were developed, including ammunition for shooting down Zeppelins.
The ‘Royal’ brand was chosen in 1885 and still denotes the company’s superior quality. Nowadays it takes the company between 650 and 1,000 hours to manufacture, assemble and engrave a precision weapon, depending on the choice of model. As Holland & Holland hunting weapons are in such great demand, it usually takes up to three years from the ordering of a weapon until it is delivered. You now have the opportunity to jump the queue at our upcoming Live Auction and place a bid for these coveted weapons. Holland & Holland has epitomised classic English craftsmanship at its best for almost 200 years. The quality is uncompromising.
Antiques - decorative art, furniture and carpets
5 March, 2 pm
For further information, please contact
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Ralph LexnerRalph LexnerHead of Department / Decorative Art & Classic Interior / København |
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Jesper Godvin HansenJesper Godvin HansenSpecialist / København |