| Jeff Higgins |
09-19-2005 07:31 AM |
Quote:
Originally posted by tabs
The English Best guns are done the old fashion way, BY HAND.
One thing about English Guns... the wood is left Proud, because it is understood that at the end of a season the gun will be returned to it's maker to be reblacked. As a consequence the appearance of a gun can be deceptive with regards to the amount of wear it has sustained over the years. So one has to be carefull when purchasing old English Shotguns.
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I once read a funny story about an American gun writer escorting one of Holland's old hands on a tour of America's best custom "gun makers". The old guy scoffed. Our custom "gun makers" simply take the latest Remington/Winchester/Ruger whatever and "customize" it to the tune of several thousand dollars. The old hand simply said a real gun makers can make a gun from a block of steel, with a file.
Aother story relates to the practice of sending firearms back to English makers for refurbishment. Harry Selby, who made the .416 Rigby famous in Africa, sent his magazine rifle back to Rigby for a new barrel sometime in the mid '60's. In the several years that ensued before Rigby saw fit to get to re-barreling it and sending it back, Selby lost interest. He bought a Model 70 in .458 and uses it to this day. Says it is a superior rifle. So much for English "best quality". And customer service.
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