My brother, who is in London on business, visited Purdey´s, on my advice, called me back and told me he wasn´t going to buy any pre-owned guns for 18000 £...
Please, some advice as to where to go to get decent pre-owned guns and rifles in London, besides H&H and other posh places?

Boha

quote:

Originally posted by Savage99:
http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAction.do;jsessionid=aLwzKuhb5PHa?searchType=classic&ooa=on&keywords=guns&companyName=&location=london&x=24&y=10

Thanks. I´ll get him moving around London.
Keep them coming, my brother is an overwheight lawyer, he needs the exercise..

Boha

Boha,

His best bet is to go to WH Smiths and buy a copy of GunMart. Pretty much most of the bigger gunshops advertize in it and he will also get a feel for the prices across the UK.

JA Roberts used to be worth a visit and had rifles at all prices starting from basic CZ550 all the way to full custom jobs..They have moved since I last visted them, but I think they are still in London somewhere...

Regards,

Pete

Boha,

Not London but this company has a good selection of guns on it's website as well as several that are not listed there and their prices are definitely more reasonable than the big name ones www.empiregunsight.co.uk

The other links that members have given you are also superb and I often drool over them as the possibility of getting some of the guns advertised there to where I am right now are zero. I also know some dealers personally and these are people who are RFDs more as a hobby than as a business though they do come to the USA to sell rare guns to clients here. It would not be ethical to post contact details here but if you would like an introduction to them, please send me an e-mail and I shall happily send the details to you.

Best wishes,

Thank you kindly. Must visit london myself soon..

Boha

I visit in London at July 2003 and here is my report (long):

Tuomo´s report from London

I made five days pilgrimage to London, capital of fine guns and wingshooting. At beginning my plan was visit in gunauction of Bonhams, but then I noticed that same day is European Championships for side by side guns at Churchill´s shooting ground. So I decided go there.

Travel started at wednesday morning from Helsinki-Vantaa airport, where I left my car and after three hours flying British Airways Airbus –plane landed to Heathrow. Then by Heathrow Express –train to Paddington station and by taxi (original London taxi with 1 acre rear space) to hotel for leave my luggage. Now my target was E.J.Churchill shooting ground. First to Marylebone railway station and by train to High Wycombe. Then 10 minutes taxi drive to shooting ground, by the way, driver´s name was Dad Allah, just like God Father.

At Churchill´s shooting ground, www.wwsg.org.uk , pretty young lady Laura Bennett wish me welcome very friendly. Side by side competition included 12 lay-outs and 100 clays. There was too Helice lay-out and it looked that those propellers needed good hit before they broken. I shot only with camera, but next year I must borrow gun there and try my skills in competition. There was some best sidelocks, like H&H Royal, Purdey and so on… and fine boxlocks too. I noticed even one Winchester M21 too. There was too own class for hammerguns and if I recognize right, one was very fine Bertuzzi. Shooting ground included high towers, low targets, small hills, forest situations and so on… Large variety for wingshooter´s practice. Notice, range is particularly planned more for hunters needs, than competitive clay pigeon shooting. I recommend it warmly for everyone wingshooting lovers.

Clubhouse is equipped with dining room, bar and large variety of Churchill products (shooting vests, cleaning rods, snap caps, gloves and so on) and of course new and used guns. Shooting Ground Manager Will Criddle came to show for me their guns. There was gunrack for new E.J.Churchill Premiere guns, www.ejchurchillgunmakers.com , side by sides and over/unders. Guns were fantastic, really nice pinless sidelocks and truly well figured woods. Rounded body models are real candys. Range including too express rifles and bolt action rifles. They have too amount of second hand guns, including AyA, Beretta and Browning B25 guns + some Churchill boxlocks. If you want shoot there, you don´t need bring your own gun with you, because they have large variety of O/Us and S by S (shooting ground guns) for borrow and of course Churchill cartridges.

Next day (thursday) was gunmakers day in Mayfair. I found my way to North Audley Street and targeted to South Audley Street for starting from James Purdey & Sons, www.purdey.com . On my way I noticed suddenly police officers with submachineguns and I got explication when I looked up to huge building, there was eagle statue and read Embassy of The United States of America.

At famous corner of Mount Street and South Audley Street I saw Audley House and text Purdey. I walked in and young lady behind saletable wished me welcome. When I told that I am interested about guns, came middle aged gentleman service me. I had opportunity handle every new Purdey gun in shop. There was 12g side by side with fine scroll engraving and 20g side by side with gold engravings. Selfopener jumped barrels open easily, but closing were little bit tight, because then mainspring cocking hammers and selfopener + guns were brand new. There was too very beautiful Purdey bolt action rifle in 30-06 caliber. Actually Purdey´s bolt action rifles are one of most attractive rifles in the world, but unfortunately not very well known. I discussed with gentleman about gunmaking and he was very active about telling gunmaking methods of Purdey. They make about 70 guns per year and they are planned to start hammergun production again. They had too about 20 second hand guns in shop, mostly their own mark, but too some other maker´s guns. Shop include large variety of Purdey accessorys, clothes and quality products. I didn´t order new Purdey gun, but I bought Donald Dallas´s book about J.Purdey & sons. It was first edition book, signed by author. Very much information and good pictures, real must fill for every Purdey fan´s bookshelf.

Small walk from Purdey at Mount Street 16, you find Boss&Co, www.bossguns.com . This maybe most expensive gunmaker in the world is so mysterious, that some time ago, I wasn´t even sure are they still live. Now I noticed that Boss&Co is strongly in life. They have large range of clothes, shooting accessories and cartridges made under Boss&Co name. I saw too about 30 second hand guns in shop and most of them were Boss guns! I handled too 1938 made Boss over/under live pigeon gun and I felt quality and passion of gunmaking in my hands. There were too photographs of Boss over/under doublerifle. It could be most expensive rifle in the world, 130.000 pounds + value added tax. Two of them are on production, one .470NE and other .500NE. Total production of Bossguns is about 15 guns per year.

Then it was time to take few steps to Mount Street 10 and ring doorbell of William & Son, www.williamandson.com . It is newest gunmaker in England and is run by William Asprey. They had in rack new demonstration gun and some new rifles, including some Sako rifles too. Second hand variety included cute pair of game scene engraved Asprey sidelocks. They have too luxury goods as well as Asprey-Garrard have. I had nice conversation with William Asprey about gunmaking in Britain.

Next in the schedule was original publunch with kidneypie and beer. After it I walked to Bruton Street and saw glorious name Holland & Holland , www.hollandandholland.com . Boutique have very much space, room after room all kind of H&H clothes, books, accessories, mode and so on. Gunroom was very large and included lot of guns (I am not sure, but maybe near one hundred). There was new H&H guns, several over/under Sporting models, new Round body models (shotguns and doublerifles), Royal doublerifle, several Royal side by side guns and about 10 H&H bolt action rifles. Second hand section included large variety of their own products and guns from other quality makers. When I asked, how you can have here so many “ready for delivery†guns, for example Royal side by sides, when customers have different measurements? I got answer: It takes only couple of days for convert stocks to customers measurements and some customers don´t want to wait their new gun about two years, that is why we have guns ready for delivery. Gentleman told too that they are very proud of their guns and gladly show them to customers. I had opportunity handle several interesting guns including new Round body side by side and Sporting O/U. I asked for see Royal over/under and gentleman went to basement and bring for me 20 bore Royal O/U. He said it will feel better than any other gun (even their own products) and he didn´t lie. I honestly must say, it was best gun which I am handled in my life, absolutely BEST. It just feel perfect, functions, balance, pointability, everything perfect. I felt even inside shop, that I can hit with it every target at every situation. Service at Holland´s were first class and very friendly.

I visited too at Asprey-Garrard, www.asprey-garrard.com , but their shop was just under redecoration and they didn´t have any guns in there. They said that next year they will have own gun department there. Of course they had other products there, like jewellery and other luxury goods for rich and famous.

Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall, St .James´s Palace and then to St. James´s Street. Just opposite of famous John Lobb shoemaker, (where even Royal family buy their made to order –shoes) is number 67 and William Evans Gun & Rifle makers, www.williamevans.com . They had variety of second hand guns and rifles in their basement and I saw too Famars Excalibur O/U specially engraved for Evans. They make too new guns, made to order by customer´s specifications, of course all traditional British best quality. At street floor they have clothes and accessories their own product line. I talked with nice lady Sally Traverse-Healy, who is their Retail Sales Manager, about woodpigeon shooting and same way I bought new Shooting Gazette –magazine, http://www.countrypursuits.co.uk/sg1.html . Now it was time to go Bond Street underground station and start prepare for next fascinating day.

At Friday was special day. I had 03.00 PM appointment with Ken Davies at Holland & Holland Shooting Ground in Northwood for Gun Fitting. I reserved this particular Gun Fitting appointment by telephone few weeks earlier. First to Baker Street underground station and then by Metropolitan line 45 minutes journey to Northwood. Few minutes taxidrive and I was over an hour too early at Shooting Ground. Water raining all time, but just before 03.00 PM weather turned to good, just as I was hoped. Clubhouse was equipped with H&H clothes, accessories, cartridges and so on. There was too large variety of Shooting Ground guns and rifles for quests use. I saw there too .700NE doublerifle which was not blued yet, it could be there for test shooting for regulate barrels, huge rifle! Clubhouse is stylish with some big game trophies and Shooting Ground is very multifunctional, given possibilities for practice all kind of game shooting situations. There is open field, small hills, high towers, bushes and cover plants, so everything is like real game shooting.

03.00 PM we started Gun Fitting, http://www.hollandandholland.com/shooting_ground/additional_services.htm , with Chief Shooting Instructor Ken Davies. He is real gentleman and top professional in Gun Fitting and game shooting. I wanted measurements for gunstocks of 12g over/under with single trigger and pistol grip and too for 12g side by side with double triggers and straight English grip. I told that I am shot sporting clays several years and will use guns for all kind of small game, hares, foxes, grouses, woodpigeons, ducks and so on. I need guns useful for every angle, from ground to straight up. Ken said we should start with side by side, because it could take more time and need more work. Try-gun was Holland´s Shot and Regulated –model boxlock, with stock which moves to every direction. I mounted it few times and Ken made some adjustments. Then to out Shooting Ground with cartridges. First some shots to standing target and then shots after Trap clays. Then few side clays and rabbit clays. Sometimes between shots Ken adjusted stock dimensions with his tool. There were too upcoming targets passing on the left, right and over head, outgoing targets in different angles and some doubles. Some times I didn´t know where clay is coming and I must wait and then shot by instinctively. I must confess that I made lot of miss shots too, but Ken Davies is excellent shooting instructor. He always noticed, when I didn´t mounted gun correctly, I didn´t concentrate to clay, front hand didn´t point to clay´s line or I took my eyes off from clay and glanced to bead just before shot. It really can´t talk too much, how important is correct mounting and keep eyes on target and practice them regularly. When Ken was satisfied we went to Clubhouse and he took measurements from Try-gun and wrote them down to Holland´s Form for side by side measurements.

Now was time to take measurements for O/U. Try-gun was now Browning B425 with pistol grip stock (moving to every directions). First few mountings in house, some adjustments and to Shooting Ground. Couple of shots to standing target then several Trap clays, rabbits and from ground to heaven running clays. Again some adjustments to stock between shots. Then long range clays from left to right and lastones from high tower upcoming over head, including some doubles. Too much miss shots again and Ken´s good advices about mounting, front hand pointing and looking only target were needed again. Ken took measurements from O/U Try-gun stock too and wrote them down to O/U form. Whole project took 2 hours 15 minutes and I shot total of 145 cartridges. I warmly recommend Holland & Holland Shooting Ground for Gun Fitting and for wingshooting instruction. I was happy and returned back to hotel in London with measurements for straight grip double trigger S by S and pistol grip single trigger O/U + with Holland & Holland cap.

Saturday was no-gun day and I concentrated only looking sights in London. Regent´s park was beautiful with flowers, canals, ponds and multiply of different waterfowls. There was black swans with red beak, originally from Western Australia. On canals moved canal boats, some kind of waterbuses. There was too London Zoo, but I passed it and walked to Baker Street for Sherlock Holmes museum. At afternoon I went to Tower Bridge, it is huge and really amazing. Really worth of visit. Then I went to Tower Castle, place where many is loosed their head at good old times. There I saw crown jewellerys, seals and even crown of Queen Elizabeth II with African Star diamond. In Tower was too lot of old war arms, cannons, swords, helmets and so on. There were too those nine ravens, which guard Tower and original Beefeaters. Saturday evening I spent in pub to closing time, which was 11 PM!

Sunday was just homecoming day, after breakfast to Heathrow Airport Terminal 1 and after few hours I was back in heatly Finland. Temperature in London was about +20 degree Celcius and in Helsinki about +30.

Conclusion: I am very satisfied my London trip. I got measurements for gunstocks (O/U and S by S), lot of photographs, Purdey book, nice visits to best gun makers, lot of brochures and pricelists of best guns, visits in shooting grounds, pubs, underground, train, walking, and feelings in London, mix of all cultures, races and religions, but still so British and traditional. People were very polite and service was good. Not cheap, but worth of investment. Test yourself.

Tuomo.

Comprehensive visit - glad you enjoyed your trip to England.

Rgds Ian

Tuomo, what a great trip that must have been.
I visited London back in -89, tourism with my future wife, as two lowly undergraduates. I had one mission though (besides visiting the Imp. War museum) which was to buy an oilskin hunting jacket. I tried many shops without success or quality, even less interest of service, until I stepped into Purdey´s. Although a poor student from a country unknown to decent sporting I was treated with perfect respect. Impeccable service. I bought a first class oilskin I still use. I learned there is a quality in certain people that need to be recognized.
Boha

Service at Purdey is first class.

When I years ago wrote letter to them and asked for their catalog, they sent it immediately.

When visit at Audley House (2003) they let me handle all their new guns/rifles in gunroom and introduced their used guns. Gentleman not only answered my questions, he too was very eager to tell about manufacture methods of present Purdeys.

Last autumn in Vintage Cup, New York, Purdey had own stand. There were several new Purdeys including O/Us, S&Ss and brand new Hammergun: http://www.griffinhowe.com/newpurdeymodel.cfm
When asked for handle that Hammergun, they answered politely "of course Sir" and gave it to me for handling and closer examination.

They never ask do you can afford about Purdey, service is always highest level.

Tuomo, excellent.

Am i the only one that shakes my head at the Purdey hammergun ?

rebounding hammers AND a top tang safety !!!

Must be made for people not familiar with hammerguns.

Yes, I cannot afford it, the grapes are sour !!