A gun for Destry

Big D · 09-03-2009, 08:34 PM

About two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend about 3 hours in the H&H factoy in London. To watch, and question the craftsmen(and ladies) making bespoke guns was a treat. Many interesting stories and theories (putting cast on a gun involves bending the whole action (including tang and both locks!), not just the stock.
Of particular interest (at least to Destry) was a 4 bore double that was nearing completion. The gun was in a rack which the superintendent was reluctant to open, but the gun had "over $100,000" worth of engraving on it.
H&H, it appears, will make anything that a customer wants. I handled a 3barrel gun which was causing them a great deal of consternation. Getting the lock timing, barrel and trigger selection right was causing them a bit of a problem.
As you might expect, the wood blank room caused substantial drooling on my part, which only served to enhance the figure of the blanks in storage.
And all I bought was an overpriced H&H baseball cap. (Not even bespoke)

C Roger Giles · 09-03-2009, 10:08 PM

John

If I had an address ie US Postal I would send you a Willis and Geiger shirt in your size.
Roger

Richard Flanders · 09-04-2009, 12:45 AM

I love the W&G shirt someone gave me a few years ago. The elbows just went out so I have to put patches on. I just plain wore it too much I guess.

Big D · 09-04-2009, 07:16 AM

Roger:
2632 Hounds Chase
Troy, MI 48098
Upon receipt of the shirt, a contribution to my favorite river conservation group (The Anglers of the Au Sable) will go in the mail

MarketHunter · 09-04-2009, 09:17 AM

John,

That does sound like a dandy gun, too much engraving though. *wink*

Destry

Bill Murphy · 09-04-2009, 11:28 AM

If the engraving on the four bore is cut down to $5.00, what would be the price of the gun?

Don Kaas · 09-04-2009, 01:10 PM

I used to pass the H&H factory on the Harrow Road every day on my way to my office when I lived in London. Hard by, on the left heading north towards Wembley, is Kensal Green Cemetery where Joe Manton and many other gunmakers rest. Harris Holland's(the first H in H&H) grave is in sight of the factory.

Big D · 09-04-2009, 05:15 PM

Bill - There was no discussion of anything as unsavory as price. Was it Vanderbilt who said "If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it".

All I can tell you is that some of the processes are so old, and could be done so much better by machine, but, then, it wouldn't be a "best" gun

MarketHunter · 09-04-2009, 09:22 PM

My guess is the gun, sans engraving, would still be $100,000 or more.

DLH

Don Kaas · 09-05-2009, 08:50 AM

You may want to stick to looking for THE BOGARDUS CLUB GUN...