COLLECTING: FINE GUNS
Swedish masters deliver the Big Five
Mayfair’s William & Son is known for its spectacular shotguns which can take months to make. However, it also has for sale arguably the world’s finest bolt-action rifles – the sort of thing a billionaire might use for stalking deer (season starts in October) – made by Swedish father/son company VO Gun & Rifle Maker. It current limited edition Big Five series of guns is a tribute to big game hunting. Not that you’d use it for that now, of course. www.williamandson.com
Purdey’s Damascus Gun
Even in the highly-traditional world of high-end gun making, there’s room for innovation. Purdey’s Damascus gun, a 20-bore over and under, is made almost entirely from “damasteel”, a groundbreaking stainless steel produced through, er, powder metallurgy, more often used for making top-level knives. Price on application. www.purdey.com
A perfect leather gun case
A gun that’s a work of art needs a suitable case. This one, from Holland & Holland, made from dark brown leather for side-by-side or over-and-under shotguns, can be made for 12 bore, 16 bore, 20 bore and 28 bore guns. £1,900 www.hollandandholland.com
Ray Ward makes its first guns
Knightsbridge gun shop Ray Ward has been selling top sporting guns for the past 50 years – and to celebrate its half century, it’s produced its first ever pair of Ray Ward shotguns, boasting the most beautiful deep scroll engraving (pictured above). About 900 hours work went into the pair, and five more pairs and a rifle are to follow. www.rayward.co.uk