Luxury gunmakers
Holland & Holland of London were founded in 1835 by Harris Holland who owned a tobacco business in London which he enjoyed much success with and which saw him gain membership into some of the
very best luxury clubs in London. Harris was an excellent shot and had a collection of superb firearms; he enjoyed the sport of pigeon shooting and grouse hunting so wise friends encouraged him to start his own gun making business; the first guns to come from Holland were engraved with the initials H.Holland. Harris Holland took his nephew aboard as an apprentice, Henry Holland became a partner in 1867 and the name of the business was changed to
Holland & Holland.
One of the major dates in the life of
Holland & Holland was 1883, on this date
Holland & Holland entered into trials which were organized by the shooting
lifestyle magazine "The Field", they went on to win every one of the rifle categories and set a new standard in the competition among some of the
very best luxury gun makers in London. Another significant date for
Holland & Holland occurred in 1885 when they gained the right to the "Royal" trade name, they were also granted patents for the "Paradox gun". The Paradox gun was a shotgun with rifled first two inches of the barrel.
Holland & Holland played an active part in both World Wars with the Ministry of Defense, during WW1 they were known for their Zeppelin duplex choke guns which fired a chain and ball. During WW2
Holland & Holland produced over