Note the difference between Albion and America. Henry Ford paid his employees so that they could all afford to purchase his product, an automobile. That has not generally been the case in England. Traditionally, English auto workers rode bicycles or mass transit. Similarly, English gun craftsmen could never afford to engage in field sports. That is the English class system. Those Englishmen with ambitions above their appointed station headed for the colonies.
J.K.B. von Falkenhorst
Note the difference between Albion and America. Henry Ford paid his employees so that they could all afford to purchase his product, an automobile. That has not generally been the case in England. Traditionally, English auto workers rode bicycles or mass transit. Similarly, English gun craftsmen could never afford to engage in field sports. That is the English class system. Those Englishmen with ambitions above their appointed station headed for the colonies.
J.K.B. von Falkenhorst
As generalisations go that would take some beating. Of course you will be well aware that then ,as now ,the purchase of any first tier shotgun was, and is , out-with the scope of the average earner. The firms of Webley and Scott ,BSA ,Tolley, Ford ,Jeffries and many others however supplied countless working class sportsmen with shotguns to pursue field sports prior to the influx of cheap Spanish side by sides.Wildfowling,pigeon shooting and rough shooting was the main stay of working class sport it was frequently there for the asking and still is. I would say that small syndicates of tradesmen and farmers are more representative of present day field sports participation in the UK today . The existence of well publicised commercial shoots readily accessible to well heeled tourists and residents alike that coexist alongside our sporting heritage only adds to the variety of sport available but it would be a mistake to imagine that our sport here is exclusive,it is very much inclusive.
Perhaps you should visit with an open mind and see for yourself.
