I have to confess I take all the photos for my articles and books with a small digital camera.

Use natural light when possible.

If outside, a technique Mike Yardley taught me was to have someone hold the muzzles, with gun barrels on his shoulder, the rest of the extending behind him.

Angle the gun so that the background is a blue or cloudy sky, add a tickle of flash to pick out the engraving, angel so it focuses sharply and shoot. The sky makes a great background.

www.vintageguns.co.uk