Holland & Holland are one of the most respected of Britain’s rifle makers. Ken C. Hunt is one of Britain’s most respected engravers. Put Ken Hunt to work on a Holland & Holland double rifle and the result is guaranteed to be spectacular.
Fast Facts
- Ken C. Hunt is one of Britain’s most respected master engravers. He learned his trade under the tutelage of Harry Kell at James Purdey & Sons in London.
- Holland & Holland are one of Britain’s most famous makers of fine guns, especially well known for their double rifles.
- Two big game rifles that combine the engineering and expertise of Holland & Holland with the artistic skills of Ken C. Hunt are coming up for sale by Rock Island Auction at time of publication of this post.
London based British gunmaker Holland & Holland is one of the very few top tier gunmakers not only in Britain, but in the world. The guns and rifles they create are works of art that combine engineering excellence with ergonomic perfection, and this has been the case since the company’s establishment back in 1835, and first proved at the 1883 “The Field” trials in which they won all the rifle trials events.
In 1908 Holland & Holland developed their hand detachable sidelock mechanism for double rifles and guns, and then in 1922 their self-opening feature for their “Royal” grade guns and rifles.
Holland & Holland were also inventive in rifle cartridge creation and gave to the world the 375 Holland & Holland Magnum in 1912, and followed on with the 300 Holland & Holland Magnum in 1925.
So it is, I think, a rather tall order to take a Holland & Holland rifle and actually improve it. But it has been done, not just once but twice, at the hands of master engraver Ken Hunt, who took two Holland & Holland double rifles and lavished on them his utterly beautiful artwork.
Ken Hunt is regarded as one of the greatest engravers. He was born during the difficult days between the Great Depression and the outbreak of the Second World War, in 1935. After the war’s end it was a time when it was normal for a child to leave school at the age of fifteen, and with his talent for art, young Ken was taken on as an apprentice by James Purdey & Sons in London where he was placed under the tutelage of master engraver Harry Kell. This provided Ken with one of the best possible foundations for his craft.
Ken Hunt started his own business in 1963 and became one of the most respected engraving artists in the trade.
The 470 Nitro Express
The first of these Holland & Holland rifles is serial number 35351 and it was completed by Holland & Holland in 1959. The rifle is chambered for the 470 Nitro Express and sports 22 inch barrels equipped with a classic quarter rib with two blade rear sight (one standing for 100 yards and one folding for 200 yards), and beaded blade foresight with flip up night sight (luminescence listed as absent).
Holland & Holland are masters of double rifle creation blending ergonomics, recoil control and aesthetics into a svelte package.
The canvas onto which Ken Hunt infused his artwork began as case-hardened and into that already gorgeous background Hunt placed a gold Cape Buffalo on the left lockplate, and on the right lockplate a gold rhinoceros bull.
The action underside features a gold African Bull Elephant who looks rather like he’s planning to reduce a hapless hunter into a red stain in the dust: while these images are framed by blackleaf scrollwork. All these gold features being accentuated by the fascinating case hardening that forms their foundation and background.
This rifle is fitted with a mullered border multi-point checkered splinter forend with casehardened steel with gold inlaid to match the iron and Anson button release.
The pistol-grip has matching checkering and the steel trapdoor grip cap holds an extra front sight blade.
The butt stock has a classic shadowline cheekpiece, blank gold stock oval, rear sling swivel, and a Silver’s rubber recoil pad with spacer.
Weight is a sensible 11lb 6oz and length of pull 14¾ inches.
The 375 Holland & Holland Flanged Magnum
The second rifle is serial number 35353 and is chambered for the 375 Holland & Holland Flanged Magnum and its adornments and specifications are made appropriate for the African game this cartridge and rifle are best suited for.
The 375 Holland & Holland Flanged Magnum is the rimmed version of the 375 Holland & Holland belted Magnum. The Flanged Magnum is specifically designed for optimum operation in double rifles while the belted magnum is for magazine rifles, especially bolt action. The function of the belt and the flange (i.e. rim) are to provide for positive head-spacing.
This rifle is fitted with 25 inch chopper lump barrels with classic quarter rib and rear sight with two leafs, a standing for 50/200 yards, and folding for 350 yards, and a beaded blade front sight. The left lockplate features a gold leopard on a branch poised ready to pounce. The right lockplate has a gold lion and lioness looking ready to go and acquire a snack for themselves, and on the bottom of the action a gold bongo bull, possibly the snack they were considering.
This rifle tips the scales at a comfortable 9lb 15oz and has a length of pull of 14¾ inches.
Each of these rifles comes in a traditional rosewood case with accessories.
You will find the sale page for the 470 Nitro Express if you click here.
You will find the sale page for the 375 Holland & Holland Flanged Magnum if you click here.
The sale pages provide more detailed information and the opportunity to contact Rock Island Auction if you are considering bidding on one of these rifles and have questions.
Picture credits: All pictures courtesy Rock Island Auction.
Pictures
470 Nitro Express
375 Holland & Holland Flanged Magnum
Jon Branch is the founder and senior editor of Revivaler and has written a significant number of articles for various publications including official Buying Guides for eBay, classic car articles for Hagerty, magazine articles for both the Australian Shooters Journal and the Australian Shooter, and he’s a long time contributor to Silodrome.
Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges.
