Scottish Gun

[Stan Hillis]

My friend went to visit his daughter in England a few years ago and, while there, visited Purdey's, Holland & Holland's, and Dickson's. He said he found Purdey's and Dickson's warm and very hospitable. H & H not so much. I remember he found a good number of used guns for sale at Dickson's.

Good luck!

[edgarspencer]

Sounds like you're talking about good old George.
My experience differs. Having a business in England, I spent about 8 weeks each year, and found plenty to entertain myself.
I became friendly with Billy Billimoria, at H&H and even after he retired got cards and letters after he went back to India. I spent more than a few hours in the basement 'museum' at Bruton Street, handling guns no one gets to see, and enjoying 'refreshments'.
Same was true at William Evans.
Purdey's tried being stuffy, but I laughed it off, and got on well after that.
At my insistence, we had many after hours sessions at the Anglesey Arms, just round the corner from my hotel ('round the corner was very relative, depending on whether you were going to, or returning from.)

[Steiner]

Wonderful story of a world gone by. Thanks for sharing.

[Researcher]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

Sounds like you're talking about good old George.
My experience differs. Having a business in England, I spent about 8 weeks each year, and found plenty to entertain myself.
I became friendly with Billy Billimoria, at H&H and even after he retired got cards and letters after he went back to India. I spent more than a few hours in the basement 'museum' at Bruton Street, handling guns no one gets to see, and enjoying 'refreshments'.
Same was true at William Evans.
Purdey's tried being stuffy, but I laughed it off, and got on well after that.
At my insistence, we had many after hours sessions at the Anglesey Arms, just round the corner from my hotel ('round the corner was very relative, depending on whether you were going to, or returning from.)

That sounds like my experience there back in 1986. My friend Max who was showing me around London, not a gun person at all, but he was from the same sect in India as the gentleman in charge of the gun room at H & H so while they chatted I had the run of the place.

[mobirdhunter]

Dan, I saw that you were attending the Southern, yes? If so, the owner of John Dickson & Sons will be there and another firm that imports guns from the U.K. You may get some leads.