Check out www.drake.net. Lewis Drake has a H&H .375 double for $175g and one in .300 for a bargain 160g. Last time I was at H&H in NYC, late last year, a sidelock ejector rifle was 125g.

But H&H has fallen a long way, once upon a time they made working double rifles, albeit very expensive, but the buyers were expected to go use them, and arguably an H&H double (or any double rifle from one of the four or five top Brits) was the tiptop expression of what a hunting rifle was supposed to be. Now they are objets d'arte for rich people to display,luxury goods, divorced from practicality, same as keeping a Lamborghini in the driveway of your McMansion. Pity.

This is referring to shotguns, but my father talked about back in the late 70's it was 2K pounds for a boxlock, 4K for a sidelock...bizarre

With the engraving, casing, and accessories that go along with either that H&H or Purdey posted on Drake's site, I would wager that the original owner is losing a BIG hunk of change by selling them. Did you notice that they were both cased in Black Ostrich hide? Same owner! Wow, how would it be!

Best,

John

What a beauty! Man, it would be nice to have that set with a matching 577 to round things out.

now that CNC has dragged the brit gun trade into the20th century,there is no reason for any of those guns to cost 1/3 of that it doesnt take 1000hrs any more to make a gun that probably isnt even regulated unless someone complains&most dont even shoot them.20k for nice engraving+8kfor a killer case.so the rest is for the frog owners.

It also looks like a 28 ga Purdey is part of the collection. Same black ostridge skin box.

I notice on the 375 on the bottom just ahead of the trigger guard is a name - the engraver?

Kim,

It seems everyone does the same thing.

I purchased Danner hunting boots. Always had on their ad, "made in america" found out about six months later, the tag inside said made in "China"

Danner sure didn't lower the price.

Also my 501 Levi jeans are made in Mexico , with a hell of a price tag. I don't buy them any longer.


I'll stop paying lots of money for many things, but my guns and rifles--------------------------------I'll pay what it takes!

I just asked my wife if she could get a second job.

Mark

I seen that 375 three times in the last month (SCI, Dallas and SHOT) and I have to say it is the nicest double and probably the nicest rifle at any of these shows. Only problem is that he wants the price of a new one for it. I suspect that it would go fast at $100k. I did find an H&H Royal from 1969 that was unfired as less than half the price which is now mine (I've always wanted one) Only downside is that it is chambered in 458 Win Mag. I may get it rechambered to 450NE, but the factory head gunsmith from H&H was at SCI said just shoot it. Theyh have done a bunch of them and they work fine. (He was advising me against having them rechamber it.) Even this one has better workmanship than any rifle that I have ever touched with maybe Hartmann & Weiss giving them a run for their money.

While the quality and craftsmanship that went into engraving that .375 are beyond detailed and above exquisite. Did you guys also find the artwork to be of a dark and odd nature for a sporting rifle?

It looks like a scene from some heavy metal rockers bad trip! I wonder if this wasn't a rock 'n’ rollers rifle? Like maybe Ozzie or some such “black Sabbath†type personality?

Or is this a scene from some piece or form of classic art that a dumb redneck like myself wouldn't recognize?

While the engraving on the H&H surely is gothic (in the classical sense) I like it. Off the top of my head I don't recognize it as any known work of art. When I looked at the photo of the grip cap I first thought of my childhood book, Where The Wild Things Are! The leopard on the Purdey is well done too.

quote:

Originally posted by DavidReed:
While the engraving on the H&H surely is gothic (in the classical sense)...

As opposed to the "modern sense" in which case the rifle would be covered with images of alienated youths wearing black trench-coats and eye-liner.

Best,

John

It is a fancy variation on their Dragon pattern. My rifle has a similar motif. Russell Wilkin at H&H told me that they had done a fair number like that over the years

On the other hand there is solace of sorts in that
Remington now has the Biakal Russian double rifles in 30-06 and 45-70 government.

Do your own decorative modifications and engraving and find yourself a hunting niche. Not egg-zackley heavy game material but one must do as best possible under the circumstances.

If you have the equipment it is always possible to convert certain shotguns to double rifles.
As these beasties are already thus configured it might be possible to stretch the caliber a modest step or so.

Did anyone else notice that, on each side of the H&H, one griffin is slightly knocking one letter in "Holland and Holland" out of alignment with the others. It's really nice to see a sense of whimsy in these engravers!

Best,

John

For 175G you'd think they would wipe the finger print off the chamber. I think I'll pass.