Isaac Hollis.
Hollis Brothers (1839-1848)
Hollis & Sheath (1849-1861)
Isaac Hollis & Sons (1861-1875)
Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd (1876-1877)
Isaac Hollis & Sons (1879-1911)
Hollis, Bentley & Playfair (1911-1920)
Hollis, Bentley & Playfair (I Hollis & Sons) (1920-1931)
I Hollis & Sons (1931-1933)
Hollis, Bentley & Playfair (1931-1955)
11 Weaman Row (1839)
10-11 Weaman Row (1848)
5-11 Weaman Row, Lench Street, Birmingham (1861)
91-92 Lower Loveday Street, Birmingham (1911)
16-17 Loveday Street, Birmingham (1915-)
44a Cannon Street, London (1870)
83 Cheapside, London (1871)
6 Great Winchester Street, London (1884)
9 New Broad Street (1903)
54 Clerkenwell Road (1920)
26 Billiter Buildings, 6 Great Winchester Street, London (1892-1899)
101 Leadenhall Street (1899)
I Hollis & Sons from 54 Clerkenwell Road (1931 to 1933)
Hollis, Bentley & Playfair from 84 Goswell Road (1931 to 1933)
84 Goswell Road (1933 (traded under both names from here)
91 and 92 Lower Loveday Street (1931-1935)
16-17 Loveday Street closed (1935)
1938 to 1943
1943 closed London offices
1955 ceased operations
The full Hollis story is complicated and confusing because it was a large family. William Hollis was born in 1777 and established his business in 1807 at St Mary's Row, he was recorded there until 1811. [It is unlikely he was working on his own, and it is thought that he had at least one brother in the firm, possibly Richard (of Richard & William); Richard (1829-1853) of 3 Lench Street/20 St Mary's Row/79 Weaman Street was probably his nephew (presuming William had another brother)]. Between 1812 and 1816 William moved to 73 Bath Street. In 1838 the firm became William Hollis & Sons, but this partnership does not seem to have been a success and it reverted to William Hollis in 1839. The firm was last recorded in 1845, William died in 1856 at the age of 79 claiming to be the oldest manufacturer and contractor in the Birmingham Gun Trade.
In 1829 a Richard Hollis opened at 3 Lench Street, this may have been William's son but more likely it was a nephew. In 1833 Richard also occupied 20 St Mary's Row, but for one year only. In 1847 Richard moved from Lench Street to go to 79 Weaman Street, he closed in 1853, but it is possible that he teamed up with Christopher (brother or son?).
Isaac Hollis & Sons claimed establishment from 1814, i.e from Richard & William at Bath Street, but their immediate predecessor was the firm of Hollis & Sheath (see Hollis & Sheath 1849-1861).
The firm of Hollis Brothers started trading from 11 Weaman Row in 1839. The partners were Isaac Hollis and Frederick Hollis who died in 1839. They stopped trading in 1848, to form Hollis & Sheath at 10-11 Weaman Row.
In 1861 Isaac Hollis, by now at least 66 years old, appears to have been trading from 5-11 Weaman Row, Lench Street. He patented a trigger guard (No. 1082) and he patented another in 1868 (No. 4922) when he was over 73. It is not known when he died.
In 1870, presumably under the control of the sons, the firm opened a shop at 44a Cannon Street in London; in 1871 this moved to 83 Cheapside.
In 1876/1877 the firm became a limited liability company, Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd, but by 1879 they were trading again as Isaac Hollis & Sons (which suggests short term financial difficulties).
From 1884 the London office was at 6 Great Winchester Street. From 1892 to 1899 the office was recorded at 26 Billiter Buildings, if the principal London offices were not at this address, 6 Great Winchester Street may have been wholesale offices.
It would appear that in 1899 the offices were moved to 101 Leadenhall Street. In 1903 they moved to 9 New Broad Street.
In about 1911 the firm formed a joint venture of some kind with Bentley & Playfair (see Hollis, Bentley & Playfair). The Birmingham factory seems to have been at 91-92 Lower Loveday Street at this time, but in about 1915 further factory space was taken at 16-17 Loveday Street.
By 1920, Bentley & Playfair appear to left the firm which traded as "Hollis, Bentley & Playfair (I Hollis & Sons)" from 54 Clerkenwell Road.
From 1931 to 1933 the firm traded as I Hollis & Sons from 54 Clerkenwell Road, and as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair from 84 Goswell Road. From 1933 they traded under both names but only from 84 Goswell Road.
From 1935 the firm traded as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair, the factory at 16-17 Loveday Street closed whilst the factory at 91 and 92 Lower Loveday Street continued to operate.
From 1938 to 1943 they traded only as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair but in 1943 closed their London offices.
The firm appears to have closed in 1955.
Isaac Hollis & Sons became volume producers of military guns and inexpensive trade guns, but they also made quality sporting guns for the South African (e.g. A Cloag of Port Elizabeth) and Indian markets, the Australian and New Zealand as well as Canadian markets, and the home market (e.g. Crockart of Blairgowrie).
Isaac Hollis was not noted as maker of high grade guns, but occasionally one comes across one with his name on it.
The proof marks on your gun indicate it was Black Powder proofed at the Birmingham Proof House sometime between 1887 and 1904. The name style on the rib also confirms this time period. The Right barrel of your gun is cylinder bored 14 gauge, while the Left barrel is choke-bored 13 gauge.
In the vernacular, it is a flat-back back-action, top-opening side-lock non-ejector hammer-gun, having rebounding hammers, double triggers, with double Purdey through underbolts a doll's head third grip and Scott thimble, with 25% coverage standard fine scroll engraving. Approx. 25% case colour remaining on the locks and hammers. The straight-hand grip is adorned with side panels and drop points, leading to a horn butt-plate. The splinter fore-part has Deeley fore-end fastening.
I am unable to comment on the pattern of Damascus barrels as I am unable to make out the detail from your photographs.
Hope this helps.
Jim
