This stunning shotgun is featured and discussed on pages 20-22 of "Holland & Holland: 'The Royal' Gunmaker- The Complete History" by Donald Dallas. Page 21 shows the order which states "Made fo[r] Mr Holland no rod." Dallas notes that "This was probably Harris Holland's personal live pigeon gun. Note how short the barrels were and how no ramrod was fitted proving that it was a live pigeon gun. What is incredible is that since the first edition of this book was published, No. 575 has surfaced, Harris Holland's own live pigeon gun. It is indeed a cannon weighing 7 lb 14 oz, but the barrels are very short, only 28 1/2" long (shortened from the original 29"). Although a big bore, the gun is of excellent quality with finely scroll engraved locks engraved 'H. Holland'. The stock is finely chequered with drop points and as befits a live pigeon gun, there is no provision for a ramrod." Dallas notes the gun was built in March of 1856. The shotgun was also featured in the blog article "Harris Holland's 4 Bore Live Pigeon Gun" by Ricky Bond on "The Explora" from Westley Richards. Bond notes: "Harris Holland's (1806-1896) family had no gun making connections and were involved in the music trade and were skilled makers of variety of musical instruments. Initially continuing his family trade and deemed to be a talented musician, around 1831, Harris quit music and entered the retail tobacco trade and set up shop at 5 Kings Street Holborn later moving to a bigger premises at 9 Kings Street. In the mid 1840’s he saw a profitable future in guns and combined selling tobacco with guns. He initially had guns made for him under his name and by 1850 become a gun maker in his own right. It wasn’t until 1860 that Henry Holland, nephew to Harris joined the firmed and was apprenticed to his uncle. He became a partner in 1876 and ran the business after the death of Harris in 1896 until his own death in 1930. Henry’s skill, knowledge and inventiveness coupled with strong business acumen powered Holland & Holland to become a world famous brand. Harris was a sportsman, keen shot and a successful live pigeon shooter, the sport which had become well established in England. . ." adding that this shotgun was "Completed around 1856 it is recorded as being built for ‘Mr. Holland’. An interesting gun built for a by gone sport, made at the start of one London’s best known makers." The smoothbore Damascus barrels have a bead front sight followed by scroll engraving on the rib near the muzzles, "H. HOLLAND, 9 KING ST. HOLBORN LONDON." signed on top of the rib between two flourishes of scroll engraving in the breech section, "575" remarked in large numerals on the bottom of the barrel along with London proofs and "5" bore marking, "575" on the breech hooks, and scroll and border engraving and platinum plugs on the breech plugs. The locks are signed "H. HOLLAND." in banners among the dense and intricate scroll engraving, and the furniture also features complex scroll patterns. The stock is finely checkered in the forend and wrist, has classic shaped flats and a dark horn forend cap, no cheek rest, and a smooth steel buttplate engraved en suite with the rest of the furniture. Measurements: 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 inch drop at heel; 14 7/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 14 oz. Provenance: Holland & Holland founder Harris Holland, The Archie Walker Collection and The Malcolm King Collection