The Holy Trinity of British gunmakers
Words: Charlie Gardiner-Hill
This article was originally published in our Autumn Issue 2014. Find out more about subscribing to our timeless quarterly publication here.
In the shooting world the saying “the Holy Trinity” is not a religious reference, but a testament to three of the greatest gunmakers in the world; Holland & Holland, Purdey and Boss & Co. Whilst there are others who produce some fine guns, none have quite the reputation of these three. There are many reasons for this, from their long history and strong heritage, to their innovations and the sheer quality of the guns that they produce.
The industry has faced tough times during the last century, but these three names have survived and continue to receive plenty of orders from all corners of the globe. This is a testament to an enduring demand for the finest quality goods. To give you an idea of just how trying the last century has been, at the beginning of the 1900s there were nearly 100 gunmakers in Britain, but due to thriving overseas competition only a few remain today.
Although gunmakers in countries such as Italy produce cheaper alternatives to the British made guns, at the top end, the likes of Purdey, Holland & Holland and Boss & Co still reign supreme. They all represent true luxury, in every sense of the word, offering a bespoke service and unrivalled attention to detail.
The guns that these three produce are not just weapons of sport, but works of art, with each gun typically taking between 600-1000 hours to craft. They are developed in a similar fashion to Savile Row’s bespoke suits, with customers being able to order a gun detailing their specifications to the smallest detail.
Each gun goes through five processes, passing through the hallowed hands of expert craftsmen, including the Barrel Maker, Actioner, Stocker, Engraver and lastly, the Finisher. When it comes to having a bespoke shotgun made, the personalised service is second to none. Clients can choose the wood for the stock of their gun and make it their own by specifying personalised engraving.
When you buy a gun from one of these three you become part of an exclusive club and while every keen shot will have their personal or family favourite, few would argue with the contention that they produce equally outstanding shotguns. But it’s not all about you, when you buy a gun from the Holy Trinity; you buy a heritage, an heirloom and a legacy, which can be passed down the generations for years to come.
And despite the impeccable service, the hardest choice you will have to make is not what wood or engraving you want, but which of ‘The Holy Trinity’ is the one for you?
HOLLAND & HOLLAND
Holland & Holland was founded by Harris Holland in 1835, who was joined by his cousin, Henry, in 1861. By 1883, Holland & Holland was winning all the categories in The Field magazine’s rifle trials and setting new standards of excellence, and their famous ‘royal’ brand name was patented in 1885. Holland & Holland were acquired by luxury goods brand, Chanel, in 1989 and today they continue to produce some of the finest guns with a strong emphasis on sporting clothing. Their flagship store is located in London’s Mayfair on Bruton Street. hollandandholland.com
BOSS & Co.
Many makers of fine English shotguns claim to trace their ancestry back a considerable number of years, but Boss & Co can lay claim to being one of the longest established, dating back to 1773 when William Boss began his gun making apprenticeship in Birmingham. In the late 18th century William Boss moved to London to work for Joseph Manton, and William’s son Thomas Boss (1790 – 1857) followed in his father’s footsteps to serve his apprenticeship under the great master himself. Completing his apprenticeship in 1812, Thomas Boss set out to only produce the very highest quality of gun and this policy of perfection continues to this day with Boss & Co being the “builders of only the best guns.” bossguns.com
PURDEY
James Purdey was established in London in 1814, the year before the battle of Waterloo, and has always been at the forefront of technological innovation. It was granted its first Royal Warrant in 1868 by The Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII. Typical of Purdey’s foresight and business acumen was the purchase of James Woodward & Sons in 1949. The gunmaker knew that Woodward had the original patent for the first ‘over and under’ shotguns, and knew they could improve upon the design. Purdey operate from the historic Audley house in Mayfair and, like their great rivals Holland & Holland, they are now owned by a luxury goods company, Richemont. purdey.com
This article was originally published in our Autumn Issue 2014. Find out more about subscribing to our timeless quarterly publication here.
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