The Shooter’s Companion

Shotguns·makers·models·history

An independent reference on sporting shotguns, for shooters, collectors, buyers and sellers.

Holland & Holland

Drawing of gunmakers’ shopfronts and a gas lamp on a Victorian London street.
Drawing: Gunmakers’ shops on a Victorian London street.

Origins

Holland & Holland describes itself as a British gunmaker since 1835.1 Harris Holland founded the firm and in 1876 formed a partnership with his nephew Henry Holland.2, 3, 4 The firm's original factory building came into use in 1898.5

In 1989 Chanel bought all the remaining shares in Holland & Holland.6 Beretta Holding acquired the whole company in a deal that took effect on 1 February 2021, and Holland & Holland is part of Beretta Holding Group.7, 8, 9, 10

Factories and partners

Holland & Holland makes its shotguns and rifles under one roof, in its own London factory.11 The Noble is made and hand-finished there.12 In July 2026 the company's address was 906 Harrow Road, NW10 5JT.13, 14

Holland & Holland's London Gunroom page gives its address as Floor 3, 36 St James's Street, with visits by appointment.15, 16 On 9 March 2026 the company announced that the St James's Gunroom and boutique would move.17, 18 The Shooting Ground Gunroom stands on Ducks Hill Road, Northwood, London.19 In Dallas, Texas, the gunroom offers gunsmithing, gun fitting, valuations and histories.20, 21

Timeline

1835

Holland & Holland dates its British gunmaking history to this year.1

1855

The firm's first number book begins.22

1876

Harris and Henry Holland form a partnership.4

1883

Donald Dallas dates the Royal hammerless to this year.23

1885

The first guns named Royal appear.24

1892

The Royal action takes its modern form.25

1898

The original factory building comes into use.5

1922

Donald Dallas dates the self-opening mechanism to this year.26

1932

Holland & Holland's homepage dates tuition at Northwood to this year.27

1939

Holland & Holland's Shooting Ground Gunroom page dates tuition to this year.28

1989

Chanel buys all remaining shares.6

1992

Holland & Holland adapts the Jacobs design.29

1 February 2021

Beretta Holding's acquisition takes effect.9

July 2023

Holland & Holland presents the Noble at The Game Fair.30, 31

9 March 2026

Holland & Holland announces the relocation of its St James's Gunroom and retail boutique.17, 18

Families and models

The Royal side-by-side traces its hammerless action to 1883; the first guns named Royal appeared in 1885.23, 24 The action took its modern form in 1892.25 The self-opening mechanism dates to 1922.26 The current Royal is a self-opening with and hand-detachable locks.32

Holland & Holland also offers a Royal , likewise a sidelock with ejectors and hand-detachable locks.33, 34 The Sporting has a action with a detachable and lock assembly.35 Holland & Holland presented the Noble in July 2023, and a report at the time described it as a reinvention of the Sporting.30, 31, 36 The Noble uses a V-spring trigger-plate action and a .37

Reading the names and numbers

The Royal name covers both the side-by-side and the over-and-under, and both have hand-detachable sidelocks.38, 33, 32, 34 Holland & Holland offers bespoke on its Royal models and uses Deluxe as the grade for its Noble models.39, 40 From a gun's serial number it can estimate the year of production.41 Its history service supplies a scan of the gun's Factory Ledger entry and its original specifications.42

Marks

Holland & Holland identifies the H&H hallmark and the Royal scroll as its own.43, 44 The London mark is a crowned GP.45 The appear on the and again on the action.46 The British records the year of proof or reproof.47

Drawing of the action of an over-and-under shotgun.
Drawing: Detail of an over-and-under action.

Sources

  1. Press Release: The Relocation of the St James’s Gunroom and Retail Boutique, British gunmaker. Holland & Holland, 2026-03-09. maker website
  2. Holland & Holland, The Royal Gunmaker: author’s synopsis, Founder. Donald Dallas, 2003. book
  3. Holland & Holland, The Royal Gunmaker: author’s synopsis, Henry Holland. Donald Dallas, 2003. book
  4. Holland & Holland, The Royal Gunmaker: author’s synopsis, Partnership. Donald Dallas, 2003. book
  5. Holland & Holland’s Aim for the Future, Factory date. Sporting Classics Daily, 2026-07-02. magazine
  6. Holland & Holland’s Aim for the Future, Chanel ownership. Sporting Classics Daily, 2026-07-02. magazine
  7. Beretta Holding expands its presence in the UK with the prestigious acquisition of Holland & Holland, Buyer. Beretta Holding; release reproduced by Defence21, 2021-02-01. maker website
  8. Beretta Holding expands its presence in the UK with the prestigious acquisition of Holland & Holland, Acquisition. Beretta Holding; release reproduced by Defence21, 2021-02-01. maker website
  9. Beretta Holding expands its presence in the UK with the prestigious acquisition of Holland & Holland, Effective date. Beretta Holding; release reproduced by Defence21, 2021-02-01. maker website
  10. The New Holland & Holland Edition by Overfinch, Beretta Holding. Holland & Holland and Overfinch, 2025-11-19. maker website
  11. Hallmarks & Heirlooms, London factory. Holland & Holland. maker website
  12. The Noble Over & Under, London factory. Holland & Holland. maker website
  13. Environmental Statement, Date. Holland & Holland, 2026-07-01. maker website
  14. Environmental Statement, Address. Holland & Holland, 2026-07-01. maker website
  15. London Gunroom, Published address. Holland & Holland. maker website
  16. London Gunroom, Appointments. Holland & Holland. maker website
  17. Press Release: The Relocation of the St James’s Gunroom and Retail Boutique, Announcement date. Holland & Holland, 2026-03-09. maker website
  18. Press Release: The Relocation of the St James’s Gunroom and Retail Boutique, Move. Holland & Holland, 2026-03-09. maker website
  19. Shooting Ground Gunroom, Address. Holland & Holland. maker website
  20. Dallas Gunroom, City. Holland & Holland. maker website
  21. Dallas Gunroom, Services. Holland & Holland. maker website
  22. Serial Numbering of Holland & Holland guns, First number book. Holland & Holland. maker website
  23. Holland & Holland, The Royal Gunmaker: author’s synopsis, Royal action. Donald Dallas, 2003. book
  24. The Holy Trinity of London gunmakers, Royal name. ShootingUK, 2017-01-06. magazine
  25. Holland & Holland Royal shotgun review, Modern action. ShootingUK; Mike Yardley, 2009-09-29. magazine
  26. Holland & Holland, The Royal Gunmaker: author’s synopsis, Self-opening mechanism. Donald Dallas, 2003. book
  27. Holland & Holland homepage, Northwood. Holland & Holland. maker website
  28. Shooting Ground Gunroom, Tuition date. Holland & Holland. maker website
  29. British over & under guns, Royal redesign. Vintage Guns, 2018-08-01. magazine
  30. The Holland & Holland Noble presented at The Game Fair, Report date. ShootingUK, 2023-08-04. magazine
  31. The Holland & Holland Noble presented at The Game Fair, Presentation. ShootingUK, 2023-08-04. magazine
  32. The Royal Side by Side, Lockwork. Holland & Holland. maker website
  33. The Royal Over & Under, Name. Holland & Holland. maker website
  34. The Royal Over & Under, Lockwork. Holland & Holland. maker website
  35. British over & under guns, Sporting action. Vintage Guns, 2018-08-01. magazine
  36. The Holland & Holland Noble presented at The Game Fair, Sporting relationship. ShootingUK, 2023-08-04. magazine
  37. The Noble Over & Under, Lockwork. Holland & Holland. maker website
  38. The Royal Side by Side, Model name. Holland & Holland. maker website
  39. The Royal Over & Under, Engraving. Holland & Holland. maker website
  40. The Noble Over & Under, Grade. Holland & Holland. maker website
  41. Serial Numbering of Holland & Holland guns, Year estimate. Holland & Holland. maker website
  42. Serial Numbering of Holland & Holland guns, Ledger. Holland & Holland. maker website
  43. The New Holland & Holland Edition by Overfinch, Emblem. Holland & Holland and Overfinch, 2025-11-19. maker website
  44. The New Holland & Holland Edition by Overfinch, Scroll. Holland & Holland and Overfinch, 2025-11-19. maker website
  45. Gun proof at the London Proof House, London mark. Worshipful Company of Gunmakers. proof house
  46. London Proof House: services and shotgun marks, Shotgun stamp positions. London Proof House. proof house
  47. Rules, regulations and scales for proof of small arms 2006, Proof year. Gunmakers’ Company and Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House, 2006. proof house

Revised 2026-10-14