Double rifles chambered in .577 Nitro Express are, by their nature, substantial guns, generally built with the weight and proportions necessary to manage a powerful cartridge. But exceptions to every rule exist… Recently arriving at Westley Richards is a special Holland & Holland ‘Royal’ Double Rifle, No. 35080, chambered in .577 Nitro Express and ordered for H.H. The Maharaja of Mysore.
The original records show that this rifle was ordered as No. 1 of a pair, both specified with 25-inch barrels and tubes to be made from ‘Special Light Steel’. This example weighs just 12lb 4oz, against a typical weight of thirteen and a half pounds or more. The result is an unusual proposition: a lightweight heavy rifle.
Despite its formidable chambering, the rifle is noticeably lighter and slimmer in the hands than might be expected of a .577 NE. The action is compact for the calibre and the stock particularly slender through the wrist, giving the rifle a lean profile and lively feel.
.577 Nitro Express
The .577 Nitro Express has long been one of the great dangerous-game cartridges. Designed in the 1890s, it was derived from a black-powder case that was revolutionised with smokeless powders. In its modern form, it is very capable of driving a soft or solid bullet at circa 2,050 fps. It’s a formidable combination and a cartridge that we’re very familiar with at Westley Richards, suited to the solid construction of a best-quality double rifle.
Holland & Holland ‘Royals’ are built around the firm’s characteristic bolstered back-action sidelock. Their familiar features include a concealed third bite, an extended top strap, a pistol-grip cap box, chopper-lump barrels, double triggers with an articulated front trigger, automatic ejectors and, invariably, the proprietary hand-detachable locks.
This rifle incorporates these traditional features, but unlike other Royals, what sets it apart is the manner in which such a large cartridge has been accommodated within a comparatively light rifle. The original specification for “special light steel” barrels clearly indicates that weight and handling were important considerations from the outset.
A ‘Royal’ Built Light
The lightweight specification extends beyond the barrels. To keep the elegant lines and proportions of a best rifle, the action is noticeably slender to marry up to the slimmer tubes, and resulting in a particularly refined stock. Together, the barrels, action and stock produce a rifle considerably less stout than its calibre might suggest.
Aside from its racey build, this finish and style of this rifle remains classically Holland & Holland. The action retains its traditional colour case-hardening and is engraved throughout with familiar Royal scroll.
The sights are equally traditional. Holland’s distinctive slab-sided standing rear sight, regulated at 50 yards, is accompanied by folding leaves for 100 and 150 yards, completing the familiar sighting arrangement.
These details leave No. 35080 unmistakably a ‘Royal’. The distinction lies in the proportions rather than the design: the familiar Holland form has been subtly tailored to the lighter specification.
The effect is immediately apparent when the rifle is mounted. It feels lively between the hands, comes naturally to the shoulder and points extremely well. There is still weight and substance for the .577 Nitro Express, but considerably less of the bulk often associated with heavy rifles of this calibre.
Barrel contour, action dimensions and stocking all influence how a double rifle handles, often as much as its finished weight alone. No. 35080 has been particularly well resolved in this respect.
Made for Mysore
The provenance adds another important element to the rifle.
Ordered on 20th September 1945 for H.H. The Maharaja of Mysore, No. 35080 was destined for The Palace at Mysore, placing it within the long association between India’s princely houses and the great British gunmakers.
This was clearly not intended to be simply another conventional .577 ‘Royal’. The requirement for a pair with special lightweight barrels suggests that handling was an important part of the original commission for His Highness, at the expense of recoil.
No. 35080 has arrived with us without its companion, leaving the whereabouts of No. 2 an intriguing unanswered part of the story.
A Different Kind of Heavy Rifle
The Holland & Holland ‘Royal’ has long been regarded as one of the defining English sidelock express rifles. Its distinctive profile and proportions have made the design instantly recognisable and widely imitated.
No. 35080 is interesting precisely because it retains those familiar ingredients while delivering something rather different in the hands. It remains an unusual interpretation of the classic Holland & Holland ‘Royal’: a serious heavy rifle built with particular attention to weight, proportion and handling.
Uncharacteristic examples within the Gun Trade exist are always of interest, but hard hitting heavy caliber Rifles of this lightweight specification are understandably uncommon. Now available through Westley Richards following its release from a private collection, this fine and rare rifle is ready for the next chapter in its story. We hope to see it return to the field, with fresh adventures adding to its history.
Discover more about this rifle here.
Westley Richards has an outstanding reputation for supplying a comprehensive selection of pre-owned guns and rifles. We pride ourselves on our in depth knowledge of the many sporting arms built over the last 200 years, placing particular emphasis on big game rifles, like the 577 Nitro Express, 505 Gibbs and 425 Westley Richards. Whether looking to grow or sell your collection of firearms, or simply require a trusted evaluation, our team from the sales department would be delighted to hear from you. To view the latest available, head to the used shotguns and used rifles pages, and for those interested in new firearms, explore our custom rifles and bespoke guns pages.
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