Shooting: The William & Son shotgun
Words: Charlie Thomas
A trip to the William & Son flagship store on Mount Street is something that every country gent should experience. The attention to detail is immediately apparent from the moment you walk in; from the piercing glares of the rather jarring stuffed animal heads, to the beautiful tweeds that make up their many jackets. They are a country maison, producing everything the field sport enthusiast needs including the most important thing of all; the shotgun.
Take a walk downstairs and the gun room and workshop proudly reveals itself, presenting a number of perfectly sculpted weapons, lined up like matchsticks. The shotgun is where William & Son truly shine. Whilst they stock a number of other brands, their in-house creations are quite marvellous, considered by many to be the best in the business.
A fine gunmakers is nothing without its staff and its service, and this is another element where William & Son shine. Gunsmith, Paul West, heads up the team on Mount Street and with his 45 years experience of crafting and maintaining rifles, it’s fair to say he knows his onions. If you’re looking to make your very first investment, or you simply want some advice from an expert in his field, he’s the man to turn to. Of course, William & Son sell a range of guns, new and old, for those of all budgets. Their bespoke service is where it’s at though. A fully-bespoke shotgun is more of a work of art than anything else and virtually every element can be customised specifically to the buyer’s needs.
It is of course easy to overlook just how much effort goes into creating one of these masterpieces. A tool of such precision and quality can only be constructed by a master craftsman, the likes of which will be at the top of his game. That is, very little machinery is utilised to create a William & Son gun, and the actual construction and finishing is all done by hand. The process can be compared to the painstaking attention to detail that goes into a fine watch, with its intricate mechanical parts and reliance on being perfectly precise.
It’s more than just that at William & Son though, as the gun itself will be tailored to one’s specific shooting style, after a team of experts have conducted an in-depth study of the way one shoots. The end result can be compared to the way a bespoke Savile Row suit hugs your body, feeling just right. It’s an entirely personal experience as well as a lifetime investment, and one that you’ll appreciate every time you use it.
For more information, visit William & Son
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
