The Guns & Outdoors forum is a place for shooting and outdoors enthusiasts to hold conversations, ask questions, share ideas and other valuable information.
Thought it about time I posted something that may be of interest. This time one of my favourite guns from when I go shooting woodpigeon. This is a double 12 bore by Holland & Holland of London. The model is the 'Holland & Holland Royal Hammerless Ejector' and was made at the turn of the last century. Records show that it was commenced in 1899 and completed in 1900 and is in the 22 thousand series of numbers. I always think of this as the 'Second' model as the earlier one had the dipped edge lock plates and the later one the hand detachable locks. This is rather odd in that I cannot research it easily as it was made as an item for stock rather than for a specific customer so its history is a bit of a blank. The engraving is of the 'House Style' known as Acanthus Scroll. Originally made with 2 1/2" chambers it has since been lengthened to 2 3/4" and re-proofed accordingly.
It is my 'go to' gun for shooting woodpigeons as it is well balanced and fast handling. Woodpigeons are classed here as a pest species but are very good to eat and can be shot all year round. They sometimes appear in very large numbers and can do a lot of damage to crops. I only really pursue them after the close of the pheasant season and before the clocks change; so through the months of February and March. I do decoy occasionally if they are hammering a particular crop but prefer shooting them when flying in to roost in woods at dusk. They are quite challenging to shoot as they are quick sighted and very evasive in flight. Good camouflage is required but oddly I can approach them when they visit the garden and they won't bother even if I am in a few feet of them. They know where they are safe! There is one sitting in the tree outside now as I write this. A number of top shots were asked in a survey by The Field Magazine as to what are the most difficult shots. Most specified certain shots at driven pheasant or grouse (both fairly easy in my estimation; I think they were boasting a bit) but Lord James Percy summed it up when he said 'the second bird of a right & left at wood pigeon'. I would further that by saying ' a wood pigeon coming in to roost in a wood at dusk in a spiralling decent'. Good sport as no two shots are alike. A semi-auto is no real use as maybe half a dozen are coming in together; one shot taken and maybe a second but then the sky has emptied! They totally baffle most regular game shooters. I swear one last season did a complete mid-air stop and a 360 degree turn causing the shot to pass harmlessly in front when it spotted my movement. Big bags can only really be achieved by decoying but is no where near as challenging.
Thanks. I did have to part with a few guns from my collection to be able to buy this one when the chance came up. Too good to miss! I'd never be able to afford a new one. Here you are; Holland's have a pre-owned pair for sale. This is what I mean by the 3rd. model with the hand detachable locks. Don't worry, I didn't pay even half of that! A good buy at the time. https://www.hollandandholland.com/guns/33030 I shall be off pigeon shooting with it tomorrow.