Westley Richards .700/.577 Our largest droplock double rifle,..... to date.

When Holland & Holland sold what they called "the last .600", a royal double rifle, sometime in the '80's, it left them unable to fulfil the needs of the hunting man who wanted the 'very biggest rifle calibre' in a Holland & Holland Royal, a position held by the .600 since the turn of that century.

Bill Feldstein was one such man, and when he found he was unable to get Holland's to make him a .600 he decided to get them to make an even bigger calibre, the .700. This order was filled by Holland's I believe in the late 80's and they have been offering the rifle ever since.

The world of rifle ammunition has always been based around certain brass cases, these being used for a multitude of different calibres, the brass necked down for certain bullets and powder charges. The 500, 470, 476, 500/450 and 500/465 for instance, all use common brass, as do the belted cases. The .458, 375 H&H, 300 H&H, 300 Win Mag 300 Weatherby etc. are all based on the .375 belted case.

When we were asked to build a .700 we said no, be we will do a variation on it. Taking the 700 brass case, necking it down to .577 and using a 950grn. bullet.

Here is the most recent rifle we have built in that calibre, a hand detachable lock rifle, extra locks and carved engraving by Peter Spode. The rifle is cased using the clients Elephant skin and the ivory for tooling.

Footnote. Holland & Holland were able to purchase back "The Last .600" and have subsequently started offering the calibre again.

6 Comments

Neill Clark on March 30, 2015 at 2:09 pm

A real gem Simon, frankly too good to use in the bush in my opinion! What does it weigh, I've handled the H & H .700 and it is hefty piece, albeit nicely balanced?

I remember Holland advertising the "last .600", they seemed to loose their way for a few years especially on the clothes front, probably due to who owns them. I hope WR manages to stay independent.

Reply
- Simon Clode on March 30, 2015 at 2:55 pm
  
  I will weigh it in the morning, I imagine 18-19lbs.
  
  Reply
  - Simon Clode on March 31, 2015 at 7:37 am
    
    17 lbs. 9 ozs. A little less than I guessed!
    
    Reply
    - Neill on March 31, 2015 at 10:03 am
      
      Definitely warrants a gun bearer!
      
      Thinks Simon, appreciated.
      
      Reply
James de Penning on March 31, 2015 at 4:00 am

And they say you can never have too much gun. This is probably a good argument in defiance!

What a beauty, love the wood.

Reply
- Simon Clode on March 31, 2015 at 7:35 am
  
  I think definitely one for "the porter" though!
  
  Reply