British Gunmakers: London v. 1: Volume One - London - Hardcover

Nigel Brown

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1904057470 ISBN 13: 9781904057475

Publisher: Quiller Press, 2004

Synopsis

Rare Book

About this title

Review:

'In terms of reference books, no sporting library would be complete without it.' --Shooting Gazette

'It is staggeringly comprehensive, providing utterly compelling reading and a constant source of reference.' --The Field

'This fascinating book gathers together all the existing historical information about the London gun trade.' --Country Landowner

Synopsis:

For 200 years the gunmakers of London have enjoyed a worldwide reputation for the quality and reliability of their products. Beginning with the Mantons in the eighteenth century and continuing with the likes of Purdey, Lang, Lancaster, Beesley, Boss, Holland and Woodward, among many others, British technical expertise and craftsmanship in the production and refinement of high quality sporting weapons has taken and held the lead throughout Europe and the rest of the world. It is some measure of the high regard for the products of the London trade that so many subsequent designs were linked to their makers' names by way of description around the world, such as the Purdey bolt, the Beesley/Purdey action, Holland & Holland locks and opening mechanisms and features of the Woodward and Boss over and under designs. This first volume, originally published as London Gunmakers by the same author, has been revised and updated and chronicles the history of the London gun trade by gathering together in one volume the aggregate of surviving historical knowledge about the businesses large and small which between them made the London gun trade what it is.

It provides an alphabetical list of all gunmakers and related trades giving their dates, addresses and changes, together with 48 individual histories. There is an alphabetical list of gunmakers' serial number records on a scale never previously achieved and various schedules list those individuals who have taken a leading part in the administration of the trade over the years. The author has also produced for the first time an alphabetical index of the brand names used by the various businesses in the London trade in respect of guns, rifles, cartridges and powders. This invaluable and informative reference contains a rich collection of facts and anecdotes about the London trade, which will serve as an encyclopaedia and a guide for collectors and members of the trade alike. Above all it stands as a monument to those craftsmen past and present, who built the London guns.

About this edition

• Publisher: Quiller Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1904057470
• ISBN 13: 9781904057475
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 296