Contacted a local gun shop yesterday to see if they had a Ruger SP101 .22 revolver that I've been wanting. They did and I purchased it but the telephone lines to the NICS system were busy all day so they couldnt call in the paperwork until today.
Went in to pick it up and while updating the paperwork noticed a beautiful leather case on the counter with a gentleman standing next to it completing paperwork as well. The case came open and inside were a matched pair of 20 bore Holland & Holland Royals. I was absolutely shocked speechless when I started to look at them. The owner passed along the story it took 2 years to get them after placing the order and he flew to England to pick them up and used them on a driven pheasant hunt prior to returning to Alaska. We exchanged some words and I mentioned my love of doubles and that I was fortunate to own a couple of nice double rifles. He stopped filling out the paperwork and took the Royals out of the case and handed them to me to examine. The worksmanship just totally blew me away. The closer I looked at the engraving the better it looked. The details were just phenomenal. Not a gap anywhere. You couldnt find enough space between the wood and metal to insert something as thin as a cigarette paper. Stunning marble cake wood with the best checkering these eyes ever seen.
The best part was each stock had a couple of minor dents he picked up on the first hunt. Comforting to see these works of art actually being used in the field.

I've seen Royals before at SCI that were breath taking but this matched pair were like a step above. Stunning, just truly stunning. Hard to explain but examining those Royals dang near brought a tear to my eye, they were that nice. Art takes many form and these were some the finest art pieces ever crafted. If I ever win the lottery H&H is going to end up with a chunk of it.

And no pictures?? That must've been a beautiful sight.

I repaired a cracked stock once on a H&H hammer double rifle for a friend. I shock the whole time I was taking it apart. The insides of that gun were made like a fine watch. Every part was perfect and polished to a high shine. No rounded edges or file marks. True craftsmanship. You get what you pay for sometimes!

Sam

Could be that "gentleman" delivered one of my girls! I fondled some nice pieces like that at the last SCI in Vegas. Pretty sweet, alright.