The shotguns that cost more than a house
Words: Patrick
I have long been fascinated by the manufacture of Best English shotguns. For me, there are few things prettier than a finished stock, made from the finest Turkish walnut, with a dark figuring that can only be found from the ball root of the tree. There are few things that showcase the dexterity of the human touch quite like a hand-engraved sideplate, whether a traditional rose and scroll or a typical game scene from the moor. And there are few things that so exceptionally combine this beauty with such flawless function – these shotguns will last several lifetimes, and endure the pressure of thousands and thousands of shots during the season.
The premium from the world’s most renowned gunmaking houses will take in the region of 18 months to make – nothing is rushed, every detail is meticulous and thorough. It’s little wonder, then, that the price tags often reflect this level of handcraftsmanship and dedication. And so it is with the latest iterations to come from the legendary Holland & Holland workshop in Kensal Rise, where the team has been based since 1898. A pair of 12 bore side-by-sides, stunning in every way and from every angle. The price? Just shy of £200,000.
For those of you unfamiliar with the agrestic ways of the field, and perhaps even some of you too, the idea of spending such an elephantine sum may seem ludicrous. After all, £200,000 will buy you a small country cottage, two Range Rover SVRs or 10,000 subscriptions to The Gentleman’s Journal. But after spending a number of hours watching the team at their vices, I began to appreciate why. Each stage of production – of which there are five (barrel maker, actioner, stocker, engraver and finisher – is a work of art, years of training and expertise coming to the fore. A Best shotgun becomes an heirloom, as well as a unique instrument of functional beauty.
With the digital age threatening to bury the skill of human touch under the weight of technology and machinery, the term ‘handmade’ may soon become something of a unicorn hunt. With hands come thought and individuality; with machines come speed and repetition. It is this that warrants the price tag for a pair of Holland & Hollands.
See the pair in our Autumn shoot here:
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