As it is already mentioned above, the two great London Makers are daughters of some of the worlds greatest luxury labels. .
As I started writing about fine Gunmakers, I thought H&H and Purdeys beeing the lonesome stars in the double gun sky. However, after some time of interviewing and watching gunmakers at work I've learned, that there are indeed differences between the big english names and a few small makers, in my case here in Germany. (Hartmann& Weiss, Max Ern) But in a different way as I thought. As mentioned, the London firms all have employees, what means costs, and this is the one big difference to Max Ern and others: He, for example , is working on it's own together with his son and his wife (engraver) and they work on their own private ground. This means, costs are minimized, it doesn't matter, that, for example, his CNC machines are not working around the clock. It means too, they are working, because they want it and they love their work. They are living their gunmaking. Of course they have to earn money, but this is not the true or only motivation for them. The motivation is, making guns. Not only guns but best guns. They always try to improve their work. They always have an eye on the best of the best and they work hard to be on the top. Above is mentioned that it needs at least 400 - 500 hour to build a gun. I saw a 400/450 double rifle in the white which will need 2000 hours to be finished! And of course it will cost nearly as much as a double rifle of H&H, P. or whatever english maker.
But since I watched the fire in the eyes of Max, the skills of Max jun., modeling the bascule of a double rifle like a sculptor and since I saw the soulful engraving of Evelyn I have an uneasy sense of what they are really doing. And if I ever would have not only the wish but also the money to own a very best gun, I think I would play this card.
Kind Regards,
Gunwolf
