HOLTS’ RECORD AUCTION AND THE TIMELESS APPEAL OF MUZZLELOADERS

Danish journalist Steen Andersen reflects on his experience at Holts’ record-breaking auction and traditional English shoot.

"Gasp – do I have enough tweed?" was my first thought when, in the mild autumn weather, I received an invitation to a bird shoot in southeast England.

Perhaps I should have been more concerned about my social skills – or even my shooting abilities with a firearm I had never shouldered before. However, as usual, I spoke before I thought. This habit has led me into countless scrapes and precarious situations, but always into new experiences that I treasure deeply.

And so it went this time as well. Without much consideration, I accepted the invitation to join a hunt with legendary muzzleloaders and English noblemen.

What followed was a celebration – an iconic gathering of firearms enthusiasts and hunting lovers. Together, we created a hunting day I’ll remember for a long time.

Not because of a large parade.

Not because the setting was nearly royal in its splendour.

But because it was cosy.

Inspirational.

Heartfelt.

And warm.

It took less than two minutes after arriving at the fine old brick house where the hunt began for the conversation to flow naturally. It was cheerful and inquisitive, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Of course, there were many familiar faces greeting each other warmly, but even as a newcomer, I was welcomed as though I’d been a friend with decades of shared experiences.

Perhaps these hunters are extraordinary people. I cannot say for sure. But I suspect these English hunters are far more open to new faces and foreign accents than what I have encountered in many other places.

In any case, I quickly felt part of the group. With a smile, I reflected on how much I had unknowingly missed this camaraderie over the years.

THE DAY’S HOST: NICK HOLT

The hunt was hosted by the renowned Nick Holt, owner of Holts Auctioneers, and I had been invited by Tim Warner of Game and Gun, Nick’s Danish agent.

Tim, clearly a central figure in this circle, was gracious in introducing me to both shooters and loaders. The atmosphere was relaxed, expectant, welcoming, and filled with laughter.

Before heading out, we gathered in the walled garden to hear the shoot briefing. Delivered with an air of informal, effortless elegance typical of the upper class, the instructions covered safety in detail – essential when handling vintage muzzleloaders. Unlike modern firearms, these guns cannot be broken open. When carried between drives, they remain loaded but uncapped, with barrels pointed skyward to prevent any part of the charge from dislodging.

IMAGE: STEEN ANDERSEN AND ANDREW JACKSON

A RECORD-BREAKING AUCTION

The camaraderie and passion for fine firearms displayed during the hunt reflect the broader success of Holts Auctioneers, which recently celebrated its most successful auction to date. Held at its headquarters in Church Farm Barns, Wolferton, in Norfolk, on 2 and 3 December, the auction achieved a turnover of £1.442 million – an 8.95 per cent increase on the previous auction in July and an 11.69 per cent rise compared to November 2023.

Buyers from 26 countries participated, with the UK accounting for 44.7 per cent of the turnover and the US contributing 33.2 per cent. Switzerland and Denmark also played significant roles, contributing 2.91 per cent and 2.75 per cent respectively.

A total of 945 lots went under the hammer, with an impressive 87 per cent sold during the two-day event. Holts expects an additional 7 to 10 per cent of unsold lots to sell in post-auction bidding rounds. High-value items dominated, with pairs and trios of fine guns leading the charts. These 33 lots achieved a combined total of £262,250, averaging just under £8,000 per lot. Sidelock ejectors followed, with 50 lots earning £167,400, and over-and-under shotguns came third, generating £136,430 from 59 lots.

TIM WARNER OF GAME AND GUN

Tim and I shared a post for the first drive. He started shooting, giving me the chance to observe how the process unfolded. Behind him stood our loader, who also owned the antique muzzleloader we were using.

The loading process was meticulous:

•The powder was poured from a horn into each barrel.

•A felt wad was tamped down with a ramrod.

•Shot was measured from another horn and sealed with a small paper cap.

The result? A two-barrelled firearm that was ready to fire after priming the nipples and cocking the hammers.

Tim quickly proved his mastery, achieving a remarkable ratio of fewer than two shots per downed bird – an impressive feat with an unfamiliar weapon. Watching the process was a spectacle in itself: the sound of the shot was deeper, the muzzle flash brilliant, and the smoke from the black powder lingered in the air, giving the moment a truly historic feel.

A TURN AT THE GUN

When my turn came, I felt a mix of anticipation and excitement as I shouldered the antique weapon for the first time. With Tim’s guidance, I adjusted my grip until the gun felt perfectly balanced.

Soon, my first bird – a red-legged partridge – fell. It was a moment of joy, and my first shot with a muzzleloader and a new species for my game journal. Sharing that experience with Tim and our loader made it all the more memorable.

HOLTS AUCTIONEERS AND NICK HOLT’S VISION

Nick Holt has built Holts Auctioneers into the world’s largest specialist in hunting and antique firearms. As a self-made man, he combines hard work with a winning personality to create a business like no other.

However, Nick is not just a successful businessman – he’s a visionary for the future of hunting.

After the shoot, Nick shared his thoughts during a tour of his impressive facilities. He believes hunting must evolve to maintain its relevance and acceptance among the wider public.

"We need to focus more on the friendships, the camaraderie, and nature – on the experiences rather than large parades of game," he explained.

Nick argues that parades of hundreds or even thousands of birds must give way to smaller, more intimate hunts where the focus is on quality over quantity. He sees traditional muzzleloader hunts as part of the solution, offering a slower, more deliberate experience that leaves participants with lasting memories of every shot.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON HUNTING

The day ended with a truly unique moment: all the hunters lined up in the garden to unload their muzzleloaders. One by one, the guns fired harmlessly into the air, sending flashes of light and clouds of smoke billowing into the autumn sun – a fitting end to a remarkable day.

For me, the hunt was an unforgettable experience. Four birds fell to my 11 or 12 shots, and I can vividly recall each one.

It was a day of camaraderie, tradition, and reflection – a rare blend of past and present, offering a glimpse into what hunting could become in the future.

Steen Andersen is the host of the Danish TV programme Jagtmagasinet/ HUNTERSMAGAZINE, which has been on air for nearly 25 years.

Steen covers all aspects of hunting, with a particular focus on the positive side effects that hunting has on the natural environments and habitats where it takes place. As a former biologist, Steen has authored a handful of scientific articles and two books, in addition to producing 288 episodes of Jagtmagasinet, which airs not only in Denmark but also in Italy and Spain.