Book recommendation
 

Can anyone recommend a book about British "best" shotguns? Something similar to The Parker Story maybe? If their is such a thing..

Thanks.

Although I'm not aware of any books on English Bests that go quite to the same scope that The Parker Story authors have gone, but Donald Dallas has done a fine job with his maker specific books on Purdey, Boss and Holland & Holland.

Look up books by Diggory Hadoke and Stephen Dodd Hughes... there are others as well.





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Kirk,

I'm not sure how much detail you are trying to find. There are a few books by Boothroyd and another set by David Baker listing a lot of makers with their history. The Dallas books are quite good for an individual maker. Diggory Hadokes books are good for the basics and provide a lot of insight. Another quick reference book is Vintage British Shotguns by Terry Wieland. It provides 12 chapters on general history and goes through a quick review of probably 65 makers along with thoughts on quality from Jack Rowe and George Caswell.

Ken

You can get some grounding with:

Best Guns by MacIntosh
The British Sporting Gun & Rifle by Dallas

Otherwise, ALL Dallas books and ALL Boothroyd books are essential reading.

Start with any of them, but preferably a dedicated book on a gun you own or are looking at. I don't own a Boss, but sure enjoy my Boss book. Donald Dallas's books on Purdey and Holland are good too.

Nigel Brown's three volume set, "British Gunmakers," is a pretty encompassing work and presents an incredible range of information. It is not definitive in regard to any one particular gunmaker, but a great reference work. I highly recommend it.

Birmingham Gunmakers
 

Birmingham Gunmakers by Douglas Tate is a good book on the gunmakers from that city. I've had luck finding some of the other single maker subject books at gunshows and just picked up two more at the Flyfishing and Wingshooting Expo held a couple of weeks ago here in PA. There were a few used book dealers there- John Liberati was one, I have the cards of the two others at home. The one dealer had a whole section on English guns with a wide assortment from the general to the specific gunmakers. I'll get you the information when I get home from work today.
Tim

Kirk, the three booksellers that were at the Flyfishing and Wingshooting Expo were John Liberati Books from Connecticut-Phone number 860-618-3648, Glen R. Blackwood from Great Lakes Flyfishing Co. from Michigan- phone number 616-866-6060, and David E. Foley from Connecticut- phone number 860-561-0783. I bought the Boothroyd book Sidelocks and Boxlocks from Mr. Foley and he had the largest selection of books on UK gunmakers along with wildfowling, upland bird hunting and fishing books. Mr. Liberati also had a good number of gun books and I noticed a couple of UK gunmaker books on his shelf. Mr.Blackwood had a large selection of upland bird hunting books, books by McIntosh , etc. I hope this helps.
Tim

Thanks!