doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Rook Rifles at Southams Sale

In Thursday’s sale at Southams there were some interesting Rook Rifles albeit at somewhat optimistic estimates.



This Holland and Holland with a cross-over stock made a hammer price of £3,000.




This Horsley made £2,700.



This Holland and Holland, almost certainly Webley made, sold for £720 (all plus commission ).

They have the advantage in the UK market as being saleable as unlicensed as Obsolete Calibre antiques.

That is a strong price for that H&H. I would Have thought the crossover stock would hold it back somewhat. It looks to be in fine condition, though. I always seem to forget the Southam’s auction. They always have a great selection of accessories, and occasionally a fine shotgun will sneak in. I have two Rook rifles, both in .295, and they are fabulous shooters.

This Holland and Holland double Rook Rifle in .360 No. 5 was brought along to the recent British Sporting Rifle Club Historic Shoot.

The Proof Marks show .350 ( bore diameter) and the owner tells me it measures.367” across the grooves.

Those grooves are more like canyons! Is that typical?

Could this barrel have been "freshened"?
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Everything looked original.

The bore diameter was probably greater than the nominal Proof diameter, perhaps about .358”.

It seemed to be accepted that you could use interchangeably both inside lubricated .360 No. 5 and outside lubricated .380 Long (.375 heel based bullets) in either rifle.

I believe most factory .360 No. 5 cartridges were made with hollow bases to get round the obvious problems of that approach.

Is there a way to accesses the past sales. I would like to look at the Rook rifles in particular.

You can with Holts by paying a subscription fee for Archive access.

You will need to check direct with Southams.