Okay, I’m going to say it out loud: seventy grand is too much to pay for a rifle, even one made by H&H.
But have mercy:
Of course you can get cheaper double rifles* — not much cheaper, as a rule, but still — and yes, the mighty .375 H&H cartridge will put down any large animal on Planet Earth (even Michelle Obama), especially when the double triggers will allow you to pop two 300-grain bullets into the target inside two seconds, far quicker than can be achieved working a bolt action, and which will arrive at over 2,500 feet per second. Energy? Sufficient.
And beauty? Indescribable.
Luxury: we may laugh and deplore it, but its attraction is undeniable.
*
You know the new definition of a shotgun wedding? When the father of the bride has to sell an expensive shotgun to pay for the wedding.
For that price I’d prefer some carvings of animals on it and maybe a little gold inlay. Beautiful rifle!!
A long time ago, thinking mid to late 80s, my dad was displaying at the Las Vegas CADA gun show, H&H had a table with one gun on it. It was for display as they were delivering it. Full engraving 375H&H but the case was marquetry wood scene of Silver Tip Gorillas on it, reportedly took 3 years to make. They were offered something like $300k to buy the gun but held firm and delivered it to the buyer. Buyer reportedly had spent time with Jane Goodall studying Gorillas and obviously had plenty of money. That was a ton of money back then even for an H&H double rifle with engraving, the case had to be at least as much as the rifle.
“Luxury: we may laugh and deplore it, but its attraction is undeniable”
I neither laugh at luxury nor deplore it. I doubt Marcus Aurelius would approve of me.
Fell in love with double in 470 NE when I fell in lust with Cindy Garrison when she had hunting show on ESPN. That was her kit on safari in Africa. If she could handle that round, well so could I …
BTW.. I was surprised when I found out how gunsmiths “align” the slots of screws on these high end guns. It is not a matter of timing. Rather, they set the screw in place (depth etc) then finish the head and cut in the slot. Each visible screw carefully made to exact order. Thats why such guns take months if not years to create. $$$
Finally I’ve said it before…if one has a chance it’s well worth the chance to attend the Vintage Gunners Cup fall event. Organization of wealthy guys. Period clothes etc. I couldn’t afford the guns, clothes, shooting dogs or women. Lol…when they had it at the NY Orvis range I went. Saw movie director John Milius smoking a big stoggie there. Actually handled 250k + dollar guns. Paradise.
https://vintagers.org/vintage-gunners-cup