4 Best Quintessential London Gunmakers

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:

Enjoy!

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[uilleachan]

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 !!

[MehulKamdar]

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.

[DogsandDoubles]

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

[KevsRandomVideos]

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.

[antonm]

we all DEMAND a 4 hour video of these please...or maybe a 10 episode series...omg...what a feast to the eyes! Thanks v much! Poor Santa is gonna run broke next Christmas...

[jamesgrint]

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!

[georgesheffield]

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]

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

[SamhainBe]

"Functional Art" - Perfect description!

[DrBreezeAir]

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.

[matthewb]

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

[dgoodman]

The difference in the mechanics of the four would make for a fascinating book! Shame the otherwise excellent video didn’t show us a closeup of the actions. Still one of my all time favorite YouTube vids of all time 👍🏼

[robinpcavery]

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

[georgedogs]

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

[gerarddresch]

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

[Billbothebear]

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

[RobertoDonatti]

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

[jeanmorin]

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.

[tangentarc]

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.

[dgoodman]

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