The distinguished pedigree of the Holland & Holland Sporting gun reaches back to the time when clay target shooting was a fledgling sport, born of the then popular pastime of live pigeon shooting. Now, at the start of the new millennium, clay shooting has developed into a testing discipline in its own right.

For the enthusiast who enjoys both clay and game shooting, the Sporting model combines ideal performance with the aesthetic qualities of a Holland & Holland game gun.

The Sporting over-and-under retains all the distinction of a Holland & Holland gun, a feature of which is instinctive handling. Yet the design is highly robust and more than equal to the demands of the customer who wishes to shoot all the year round at both clays and game, and who will fire many thousands of cartridges in the process. Versatility is the key to the performance of this exciting over-and-under shotgun, its design offering tremendous scope for the committed shooter with specific requirements.

Ease of maintenance, absolute reliability and the instinctive handling that only a bespoke gun possesses were the objectives of the gun's creators. Holland & Holland's detachable trigger lock was the result - fully interchangeable, the entire assembly can be removed for inspection and cleaning with an easily operated release lever in the trigger guard. When the unit is removed, the gun is obviously immobilised, a feature that is particularly valuable when travelling.

Individual barrel selection is also offered, operated by means of a barrel selector incorporated with the safety catch thumb piece. The provision of an instant choice of appropriate choke for the target or quarry allows the shooter a greater mastery of his performance. This innovative feature is a bonus for the serious shot.

Available in a choice of styles and made to individual specifications, the Sporting model also allows the client to avail himself of a choice of barrel length and rib style, with the option of a competition stock and forend and interchangeable choke tubes suitable for lead or steel and other non-toxic shot.

The Sporting model in a game gun format promises lively and responsive handling, with its elegant stock and slim forend, whether in 12, 20 or 28 bore. The gunmakers of Holland & Holland have long taken pride in the company's reputation for progressive design, a reputation further enhanced by the introduction of the Sporting over-and-under.

By definition a working gun, the Sporting over-and-under shotgun is yet so perfectly suited to its purpose that it becomes a work of art. The finished result is breathtaking in terms of execution and imagination - truly a Best London gun in every sense.