4 Best Quintessential London Gunmakers

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  • Опубліковано 26 лис 2024
  • Purdey, Holland, Boss and Woodward - the Best London has to offer.
    Simon Reinhold of Holts Auctioneers takes Jonny through the 4 best of the best London Made Guns, how they differ and which is the best of the best?
    Thanks to Holts for allowing us to access this beautiful array of guns, for more information of what they have to offer:
    auctions.holts...
    Enjoy!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 89

  • @uilleachan
    @uilleachan 4 роки тому +20

    Another contributing factor in the decline of demand for high end guns was the missing Toff generation killed or injured in WWI. Wasn't just the gun trade that saw a decline, where I live sporting estates also witnessed a major decline in the number of sporting clientele visiting, post 1918. Many guns simply didn't come back and of those that did many didn't have the appetite "having had their fill of shooting in Flanders". Good vid !!

  • @DogsandDoubles
    @DogsandDoubles 4 роки тому +8

    Boss is BEST. Ejectors alone set them ahead. Thanks for making & sharing.

  • @MehulKamdar
    @MehulKamdar 4 роки тому +10

    There were more great brands - back in India Greeners were loved for their long lives as they were very strong, Lang of London were loved for their finish, Henry Atkin guns were also very highly regarded, and Woodward were also much loved.

  • @ShootingAndReloading
    @ShootingAndReloading 4 роки тому +14

    Another great film :)
    I'd love you to have a look at more "best" guns and from lesser known manufacturers still in existence. People like Michael Lingard in Friockheim will not be making guns forever... literally a dying trade sadly.

  • @jamesgrint8706
    @jamesgrint8706 4 роки тому +3

    Beautiful guns! But nothing comes close to a Grant sidelever especially in 16 bore! Simon is absolutely right there! I will keep mine for ever!

  • @huntpainreacts
    @huntpainreacts 3 роки тому +2

    I've watched this video many times and I keep doing it because those are the most beautiful guns anyone can own 😍

  • @DrBreezeAir
    @DrBreezeAir 4 роки тому +10

    I can clearly see why the Russian court made Purdey their supplier. Sublime. My dream combination would be a pair of Purdey 12 gauge shotguns and a Holland & Holland M98 rifle in .375H&H.

    • @wholeNwon
      @wholeNwon 3 роки тому

      The last Czar favored Lebeau Courally for his children. Of course, his collection was massive.

  • @georgesheffield1580
    @georgesheffield1580 Рік тому +1

    With these guns it is not just the style and finish that makes them but balance and handling and fit that is superlative . A hundred year old one fitted for you will still be as perfect as can be .

  • @realvictim
    @realvictim 4 роки тому +10

    Lovely :D I'll take the Holland, thank you.

  • @RobertoDonatti
    @RobertoDonatti 4 роки тому +30

    Correction, the best the World has to offer. Nothing trumps the beauty of a London gun.

    • @marcusscudamore4158
      @marcusscudamore4158 4 роки тому +1

      Ahy men too tha,un'buddy..purdey,Holland and Holland, Holloway and naughton..all British and best,Frank Charles made the top-end air pistol's and rifle's back in the late 18,hundreds and mid 19,hundreds and still going st,wong.. happy birthday'guys.. Marcus love's you all but I do love's my gorgeous little princess with those amazingly big and fluffy pig-tails,who appeared in our t-v commercial for 🐻 bear yo-yo's, back in January 2018,..god bless you and all,who are precious too her..if you know her,let her know that she still owns her very own older man for when and if she ever needs one..xxooxxooxxoo.she is such a truly pretty and angelic little thing..

  • @Billbothebear14
    @Billbothebear14 4 роки тому +3

    Lovely film, so enjoyed it. For me, I would like a period Scottish gun, as they are SO gorgeous. Long stock and 16 bore please.
    WF

  • @george6dogs
    @george6dogs 4 роки тому +3

    Woodward are definitely still around. Owned by Purdey, you can still buy a Woodward today if you so desire!

  • @robinpcavery
    @robinpcavery 4 роки тому +1

    I was so happy when Simon (talking about provincial makers) mentioned W R Pape and his hammer guns...having shot one for the last 3 years (and hopefully many more) at anything short of ducks (not wishing to put steel through a Damascus barrel). Re commission, yup it's steep and they're not even having to finance the London sale room/viewings this year which makes it seem even more so, but at least they're waiving the additional fees for online bidding this time 'round

  • @matthewb9935
    @matthewb9935 4 роки тому +2

    Absolutely brilliant! I am so in love with my Stephen Grant 12-bore side by side! Just a supremely crafted piece of functional art.

    • @wholeNwon
      @wholeNwon 3 роки тому

      Does yours show the engraving that sweeps up onto the standing fences?

  • @gerarddresch712
    @gerarddresch712 4 роки тому +1

    I have known of these most of my life and even have used a few and love everything about them, Thanks for the vid

  • @ringsidejudge4302
    @ringsidejudge4302 4 роки тому +1

    Great video . In reality , how much wear is to be expected within these mechanisms on account of their age. They are class pieces but surely a modern Spanish gun would be more reliable , although they do not feel or look anywhere the same .
    The Boss does it for me.

  • @SamhainBe
    @SamhainBe Рік тому

    "Functional Art" - Perfect description!

  • @jeanmorin3247
    @jeanmorin3247 3 роки тому

    This is such a privilege to enter the Holts vault and look at the best. The description is really interesting. Thanks to both of you.

  • @tangentarc7477
    @tangentarc7477 4 роки тому

    Johnny, my niece took a shine to you. She said you seem like a nice boy. Now everyone in our family knows you as 'Nice boy Johnny.' I'm currently making a clay shooting game, and I'm going to call one of the gun rooms 'Nice boy Johnny's.' I had no part in this...except for agreeing entirely, and making its implementation a priority.

  • @dgoodman1484
    @dgoodman1484 Рік тому

    Great video as always but what I’d really be interested in is the history of some of the lesser known gunmakers that made fine high quality if not best quality guns. Most of us are more likely to find and purchase one of those hidden gems than we are say an H&H Royal

  • @geraldswain3259
    @geraldswain3259 4 роки тому +1

    As I have said before....Superlative Quality. Great series of vids these Johnny .

  • @philhawley1219
    @philhawley1219 2 роки тому +1

    Purdey bought out Woodward to get the design of their O/U to compete with the H&H.

  • @dontcallmetravis
    @dontcallmetravis 3 роки тому

    What a fun video! Real pleasure to watch. Thanks for letting me look over epic shotguns, that I’ll never own.

  • @andrewseamaster
    @andrewseamaster 4 роки тому +8

    Nothing like a 25 percent commission when your house is under threat!

  • @jonnyellis3134
    @jonnyellis3134 4 роки тому +8

    Just imagine seeing one of those in 1904....

  • @muddundee
    @muddundee 3 роки тому

    I have a wreck of a double 15 bore muzzleloader made by John Wiggan of London, his quality was up with the best of them.

  • @paulwilson7234
    @paulwilson7234 Місяць тому

    Watched this again , outstanding.

  • @chris10699
    @chris10699 3 роки тому +2

    Just awesome from start finish

  • @richardtimms8733
    @richardtimms8733 4 роки тому +3

    Boss or Woodward, Boss preferably.

  • @The_Young_Aristocrat
    @The_Young_Aristocrat 2 роки тому +2

    You should make a video just about William Evans.

  • @granthall2325
    @granthall2325 3 роки тому

    I have to agree the Woodward is stunning😲😳🤤🤤🤤🤤pls next time when you do this show the barrels the cases & what you get in the cases if there is anything thx from Africa!!!!

  • @herrmauser1066
    @herrmauser1066 6 місяців тому +1

    Why s there no historical episode of Woodward, the carved arched fence's requires a show of it''s own.

  • @max333463
    @max333463 4 роки тому

    Works of art, awesome video.

  • @bromkin
    @bromkin 4 роки тому

    Very interesting and a pleasure to watch

  • @jonnyellis3134
    @jonnyellis3134 4 роки тому +1

    Yes if I had the money,
    It would be the Holland.

  • @petyt8
    @petyt8 4 роки тому +11

    25% commission then 20% vat?? Greedy buggers most auction houses are between 12.5-14% 😂

  • @funes90
    @funes90 2 роки тому

    Simon please, what is the minimum thickness of barrel and where should I measure it ( front end of the barrel)
    ? Thanks

  • @sofalugger
    @sofalugger 4 роки тому +1

    `IF` you want to use 36gm cartridges use O/U ?? No , use a S/S Pigeon gun!! I use Woodward Hammer gun with 28gm. . .To very good effect 1/4, Cyl chokes .... Don,t shoot `dollies` neither. . .

  • @martinburnley1678
    @martinburnley1678 4 роки тому +3

    A Peter Nelson/Ken Hunt for me please :-)

  • @keithhagler502
    @keithhagler502 Рік тому +1

    I've collected for about 20 years, but none of them are 'best' guns. I do prefer the older hammer doubles with Jones Underlevers. If I had to choose something of a later date, it would definitely be a matching 'pair' of pre-war Westley Richards .577 doubles, or maybe a Jeffery's .600, but for now I'll stick with what I think is the most beautiful, that being the older guns, especially a John Wilkes 4-bore Jones Underlever single with octagonal barrel. Nothing matches, or ever will, the streamline features of a .450, 500, or .577 express hammer double. You should definitely get some underlever doubles on this show, be they shotgun or not.

    • @CatherineMcElroy-ds2tb
      @CatherineMcElroy-ds2tb Рік тому +1

      John Wilkes beak street no name above shop they made superlative guns and kept themselves very much to themselves!

  • @jimbo2602
    @jimbo2602 3 роки тому

    Holland & Holland for me.

  • @AlsAllAussieAdventures
    @AlsAllAussieAdventures 2 роки тому +1

    Nice shotguns, but nothing compares to Beretta. The history and legacy of the oldest gun manufacture in the world cannot be beaten.

  • @Jbentley9999
    @Jbentley9999 4 роки тому

    The John Rigby & CO SxS rifle guns for African dangerous game with engraved animals is the most beautiful gun in the world in 470 Nitro Express with a leather luggage case

  • @wholeNwon
    @wholeNwon 4 роки тому

    The lever to detach the Holland's locks always looked grossly out of place to me. Grant's engraving of the standing fences flowing from the lock plates is very appealing to me. But in terms of metallurgy, engineering and precision, now there is Fabbri ! From a safety perspective, there is a very great difference between the steel alloys available a hundred years ago and those of today.

  • @victortamini847
    @victortamini847 4 роки тому

    John, which one would it be if you had to make a choice? And why?

  • @felawes
    @felawes 2 роки тому

    Super video.

  • @alexfachin5814
    @alexfachin5814 3 роки тому

    thoughts on westley richards.

  • @myleschilton3473
    @myleschilton3473 3 роки тому +1

    Johnny, if you just took a half breath before jumping in on Simon we would all learn more.

  • @michaelmaxwell5586
    @michaelmaxwell5586 4 роки тому

    Best part is that BASC tell you that you can shoot steel shot through them all. Rather you than me.

    • @Top_Shots_Photography
      @Top_Shots_Photography 4 роки тому

      you can if choked correctly, thats what makes them even better ...

  • @screenname3922
    @screenname3922 2 роки тому

    Wonderful I am interested to know about THE GRAND PRIX GUN BIRMINGHAM U.K.

  • @willieherold5662
    @willieherold5662 3 роки тому +1

    I’d have a Purdey or H&H over a Boss anytime now seeing it’s owned by a very rude abusive owner. I nearly put my deposit down for an o/u but didn’t like the American owner who is not very nice to deal with.
    The previous owner and his staff I met at the Safari shows were very nice and friendly, such a shame.

  • @dougharlow6037
    @dougharlow6037 4 роки тому

    Looks and sounds Simon Reinhold doesn't want to commit? There's only so much to evaluate on any gun, Simon should know. Action, wood, engraving, condition, scarcity, provenance etc. There's always a winner. Look at the actions, there’s reasons for some gun’s sell for high amounts.

  • @jananders1351
    @jananders1351 2 роки тому

    What will happen to guns like these as the use of steel-shot becomes more and more required?

    • @tgsoutdoors
      @tgsoutdoors  2 роки тому +1

      Providing they have the right specs, they can take some types of steel. However, why not treat it to bismuth?

  • @dale_ch
    @dale_ch 4 роки тому

    Nice 😍

  • @john8gillespie
    @john8gillespie 4 роки тому +1

    Purdey for me please

  • @alexanderangelo7284
    @alexanderangelo7284 4 роки тому

    No Rigby or Westley Richards? Hmmm...🤔

    • @tgsoutdoors
      @tgsoutdoors  4 роки тому +3

      Great guns, but Rigby is better known for rifles and Westley Richards started life as a Birmingham maker.

    • @alexanderangelo7284
      @alexanderangelo7284 4 роки тому

      @@tgsoutdoors Did not know about Westley Richard's. Always thought of them as bespoke London gunmakers. Learn something new every day. Good point about Rigby, as you're right. Cheers from California!! :)

    • @paulwilson7234
      @paulwilson7234 Місяць тому

      👍​@@tgsoutdoors

  • @danhill6333
    @danhill6333 4 роки тому +1

    Sadly if I brought any of those beauties back to the states they would be ruined due to our import marking requirements 😕

    • @tgsoutdoors
      @tgsoutdoors  4 роки тому +1

      Explain this import marking? Can they not mark it in a subtle way?

    • @danhill6333
      @danhill6333 4 роки тому +1

      @@tgsoutdoors importer name, city and state must be conspicuously marked on the receiver, barrel, or slide. "conspicuous" means that all required markings must be placed in such a manner as to be wholly unobstructed from plain view.
      Characters are to be a minimum of 1/16" tall. "unobstructed from plain view" would likely mean can be seen with gun fully assembled. IE can't put it under the forearm. That's my guess. But I think allowing it under the forearm shouldn't be an issue. Not hard to get to. But usually it's better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. However, I just thought of one possible out. If it's over 100 years old. Not sure on that one.

    • @karlsailor
      @karlsailor 4 роки тому +3

      I just had 4 brought into the States from a Holts auction last year. I worked with Griffin & Howe in New Jersey. They nicely engraved the barrels under the forend. Completely invisible unless you drop the forend. They use a laser engraver. Very neat and tidy.

    • @karlsailor
      @karlsailor 4 роки тому +2

      BTW, export, import, shipping and engraving cost about $2000USD for the four guns. It's mostly a flat fee, which is why I bought four.

    • @danhill6333
      @danhill6333 4 роки тому +1

      @@karlsailor Thank you for sharing your experience. I learn something new every day.
      If I don't occasionally open my mouth and say something ignorant I wouldn't learn as much. 🤣

  • @roeng1368
    @roeng1368 4 роки тому +4

    Someone complained to James Purdey that his guns were difficult to open. He retorted " A gentleman never opens his own guns". I suppose that means i am not a gentleman. But this chap is right, Stephen Grant made sublime shotguns. Edwinson green made some beautiful guns too.

    • @myleschilton3473
      @myleschilton3473 4 роки тому

      ro eng Certainly not difficult to open. And not difficult to close either. Takes one minute to get the knack of it.

  • @nickolaskunz5735
    @nickolaskunz5735 3 роки тому

    25% commission?? Why would anyone bother with an auction

  • @abdulrt1245
    @abdulrt1245 4 роки тому

    nobody mention hollis and son guns even they made in london in the same erea anybody know anything about them.

  • @dewantausifyarchowdhury2449
    @dewantausifyarchowdhury2449 3 роки тому

    Do any of these brands make Pistols?

  • @yuryrushik5598
    @yuryrushik5598 3 роки тому

    Pronunsiation of word " Purdey " in Russian sounds funny, sounds as "farting" -:)

  • @dr.robertippaso214
    @dr.robertippaso214 Місяць тому

    The interviewer needs speak more clearly and allow the expert to fully answer the question before interjecting with comments. Shame as could have been a far better video. As it is it was mildly irritating. The comments are made for the purpose of improving and not merely criticizing.

  • @juancarlosbelletti2483
    @juancarlosbelletti2483 4 роки тому

    PUSE QUE NO ME GUSTA ESTE VIDEO PORQUE NO ENTIENDO NADA ME CANSE DE DECIRLO QUE LO TRASMITAN EN CASTELLANO PERO PARECE QUE NO ME DAN ''''''''''''''BOLAAAAAA''''''''''''''''''''''

  • @SirSquash
    @SirSquash 4 роки тому

    literally 0 point when you guys cant even own your guns and by that i mean take them home.

    • @tgsoutdoors
      @tgsoutdoors  4 роки тому +1

      What are you chatting about?

    • @paulbryan1013
      @paulbryan1013 4 роки тому

      There's always one isn't there I wonder which part of the world he hails from?

    • @carminemurray6624
      @carminemurray6624 3 роки тому

      I suppose many feel proper ownership entails having ones firearms at ones residence, not as a museum relic under a curators care and insurance policies.
      In most cases, great books on firearms would suffice people.

    • @hellishcyberdemon7112
      @hellishcyberdemon7112 Місяць тому

      @@carminemurray6624 because you act high and mighty but are subjects while US Citizens are free to own most things

    • @hellishcyberdemon7112
      @hellishcyberdemon7112 Місяць тому

      @@paulbryan1013 atleast i can own a gun, go beg your king for one

  • @outspokengenius
    @outspokengenius Місяць тому

    I would have substituted James Woodward & Sons with Westley Richards personally. But out of the 4 and this is hard to do I'd put Purdey at the top followed by Boss & Co then Holland & Holland and finally James Woodward. It's hard not to put Boss & Co at the top but from what I personally know Purdey has to go at the top. A year ago I'd have put Holland & Holland at the top. It's hard to put Holland & Holland third in anything but I believe Boss & Co to have a slight edge on them. At one time I was convinced Boss & Co was the pinnacle of fine guns but I really have to give that title to Purdey now.
    If I had to do 5 best gunmakers in world history
    1. James Purdey & Sons
    2. Boss & Co.
    3. Holland & Holland
    4. Westley Richards
    5. James Woodward & Sons
    Honorable mention John Rigby & Co.