In a departure from my usual work restoring old guns, I have been asked to make two new shotguns.

They will be built on the Holland & Holland self-opening system.

The first is a 20-bore, the second a 12-bore.

The guns will be made entirely in England, entirely by the best craftsmen at the top of their trade and project managed by me.

I will post regularly so you can see the project taking shape. I think it may be of interest to many readers.

I'm not concerned about any of the standard gunmaking jobs and how to get those done right. The engraving style is the thing that has me most excited and nervous - I want to make it exceptional without being loud and shouty. I'll be drawing heavily on favourite guns from the past as inspiration. We will certainly not be going for the modern fashion of bold scrolls with a bulino game scene.

Good luck on your endeavor Dig!!! I hope it will be a success! Sounds very interesting. Please keep us posted.

Best of luck to you!

Greg

Sounds exciting!

Dig,
As they say on our BBQ forum: "Pictures please. No pictures, it didn't happen".

Can't wait to see. What are you going to call them?

T

Dig, do you have an engraving style from the past in mind . There were so many.

Howz about a modern interpertation of either the James Woodward house pattern from the 1890's or the JW extra finish pattern. Keith Thomas would be a good candidate for this type engraving. This seems to be one of the most eye catching patterns and one not overworked; occasionally copied and on maybe 3000 guns.

DDA

Can't wait to the see the process! Thanks for posting!

Adam

Can't wait to see the photos and hear the stories associated.

A dear friend had a gun made in England in the late 80s / early 90s. He has the funniest stories from the +/-5yrs it took to get the gun from order to delivery. I told him he should write a short book to accompany the gun.

One of my favorites is when he happened to be in UK and went with his man managing the project to the engraver, to check status. Apparently the gun had been with the guy for quite some time and when they arrived at his house, the guy was in the garden picking turnips. When 'questioned' why he was gardening and not engraving, they guy just sorta shrugs and says "The garden needed tending."

So far the only photos would be of the client giving me instructions and me on the phone!

Fear not, as work progresses, I will produce photographic evidence for your amusement.

The client wishes to remain anonymous until the guns are finished, they will carry his name.

Not close to deciding on engraving style yet, it will be a bold scroll pattern but a lot of work has to be done before I can show you anything. But you'll see it as it unfolds. I look forward to many helpful comments along the way from you all.

It is something of an honour to be entrusted with a big project like this, despite not having the 'big name' credentials attached to my firm. Very much looking forward to it.

I like the WC SCOTT Premier Oak Leaves
Which may be appropriate as from small acorns Oak trees grow.

It strikes me Dig is in danger of building guns designed by committee - us!

Tim

My committee contribution...Marcus Hunt.

I really liked the engraving on two similar guns, one was one Tony /ballistix999 redid, and one was from Toby Barclay(He is heavily into this maker, I believe, n rightly so by what I saw :))....were they Blanch guns?
I remember them as Island/backlocks...but the engraving was really sweet,
good luck there Dig
Franc

Your last sentence gave me great relief. For my taste, modern flourishes and bulino game scenes just don't cut it. I think they actually make an otherwise wonderfully crafted gun look shoddy.

Kieth Thomas is great, but I sure love the engraving Brad Tallet did on my latest for not much more than Standard Purdey Engraving. I think I paid 1000 sterling more to have full coverage, but his execution wound up being great. Engraved Boss style on a Woodward patterned Purdey. Got all 3 in 1

Small Bore: Sounds really cool. What action are you going to use? Beesley or Holland style? I really like the modified Beesley action used on Henry Atkin guns....a little easier to close than a Purdey. Looking forward to seeing some pictures and hearing more about it. Any idea on what such a gun will cost?

Clif: That is really a beautiful shotgun you have there!

Thanks Buzz......I post it only to show that when you whip em hard enough, current work is as good as it ever was, you just need to get them to think outside the box!

Beautiful, Clif.

What's the gauge?

OWD

Me Too!

Keith Thomas amd Brad Tallet are my 2 favorite engravers right now. They seem to be able to engrave in a more subtle style with a lot of dignity and grace. Came close to buying a Thomas engraved gun last summer but I let it slip away. Wish I had bought it now.

I'm surprised no one has asked the big question : What name will be on it?

Dig said the owner will have his name on it and wishes to remain anonymous.
Too bad it won't be my name!

28 bore Greggory, I shoot trap with it.......LOL

Wild looking gun you've got there, Clif. Must look terrific when you've got it in hand and the light can get at it a thousand different ways.

We will make the guns on Holland & Holland 'Royal' self-opening actions.

I was at Westley Richards today with a client of mine, showing him around - he was so impressed he ordered a double .470. They were so grateful, they gave me a free book!

I had a good look at current work, very impressive set up. I always enjoy being up there.

Then went to spend the afternoon with David Dryhurst of W.W Greener. Fantastic quality work to see, as always.

Inspiration everywhere.

Thanks for all the input chaps.

Diggory,
This project would make excellent reading in The Double Gun Journal. Have you considered a series, as you did with gun auctions?

Hi Dig, WR is very impressive isn't it. Retail store very classy.