Lot 3386

Massive Engraved Holland & Holland Punt Gun Feature on MeatEater

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Massive Engraved Holland & Holland Punt Gun Feature on MeatEater

Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000

Starting Bid: $18,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Massive Engraved Holland & Holland Screw Breech Punt Gun Featured on MeatEater Manufactured late 1880s. This impressive Holland & Holland 2 bore punt gun was purchased from Rock Island Auction Company in 2022 and is featured by MeatEater in the episode "Let Er Rip - Project Punt Gun" being shot by Steven Rinella and Spencer Neuharth as part of their discussion on the history of punt guns and market hunting and is also discussed on the MeatEater Podcast in Episode 895. It is being sold to benefit the MeatEater Land Access Initiative which has one mission: improving access to public lands and waters. From Montana to Maine to North Carolina, the Land Access Initiative has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to expand your hunting and fishing opportunities. See TheMeatEater.com/pages/land-access for a full list of past and current projects. Punt guns are in essence massive shotguns and draw their name from the fact that they were commonly mounted on punt boats. With the "ducks in a row", a single blast could quickly bag numerous birds for sale in meat markets, quickly depleting bird populations. As detailed by MeatEater, "Capable of bringing down over 100 birds with a single blast, these colossal shotguns (and market hunters) pushed some waterfowl species to the brink." The depletion of bird populations led to conservation efforts, including caliber regulations and bag limits that ended the use of these massive punt guns for hunting in the United States in 1918. They remained in limited use in the United Kingdom. Over time, the wildlife populations in the U.S. recovered with the support of sportsmen across the country. The grey painted heavy steel barrel has a single brass bead front sight, two trunnions and a mounting point, and "PATENT/SCREW/EXTRACTOR" in reference to Henry Hollands patent no. 152 of January 5, 1885, and "HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98 NEW BOND STREET. LONDON" marked near the breech. The screw breech displays beautiful scroll engraving on the metal surfaces, with the exception of the trigger plate, and a solitary goose in a pond scene on the underside. "HOLLAND & HOLLAND" is marked on the top strap bordered in scroll. The sideplate is brass and also shows the same scroll engraving. The gun is fired by first slotting a shell into the breech block and then screwing the entire assembly to the barrel. Next, an internal hammer is cocked with an external cocking piece and finally released by a large ring trigger on the underside which has an attached lanyard. The stock (or tiller) section is simply for holding while sighting the gun and is built of lightly figured walnut with a semi-pistol grip to gain a better hold. Includes 2 massive 9 1/4 inch unprimed steel shells that fit the gun, one of which is custom made with a "MEATEATER" and the MeatEater deer head logo headstamp.

Manufacturer: Holland & Holland Ltd

Model: Punt

BBL: 85 1/2 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 2 bore

Finish: grey

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: MeatEater
  • Condition: Very fine, retaining 95% original grey painted finish, a few areas of corrosion, and general light handling evidence. The wood is also very fine with a few minor marks. The gun is missing a screw from the lockplate; however, this does not appear to cause issues as the gun is mechanically excellent. Do not miss this opportunity to acquire an iconic punt gun sold in support of the MeatEater Land Access Initiative.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000