The makers have kindly confirmed that the rifle was completed in 1902. The Holland & Holland 'Paradox' was the creation of Colonel G. Vincent Fosbery, V.C. and the design was patented by Holland & Holland in 1885. In this ingenious firearm, the combination of approximately two inches of rifled choke with smooth-bore barrels successfully integrated the rifle and shotgun and enabled the firer to select shot or solid projectile at will without the encumbrance of a normal rifle's weight.
Holland & Holland were great exponents of this method of rifling saying:- 'This powerful weapon is constructed to shoot 8 drams of powder and a heavy conical bullet, either steel coated with lead, or solid hardened bullet, and is chambered for the solid brass case, and for sportsmen who find an 8-bore too heavy for them, this is a most desirable weapon. It has enormous penetration, and at the same time is exceedingly accurate.

It is quite as powerful a weapon as most 8-bore rifles, besides having the great advantage of being a very handy well-balanced gun, weighing from 3 to 4lbs. less than a rifle of the same calibre.

It is specially constructed and regulated to shoot either solid or lead-covered steel bullets for thick skinned animals, or hollow-fronted bullet for other kinds of big game. Weight about 12 to 13lbs.'