Following on from my Blog last week, a number of people commented on how people should not shoot for posterity reasons and that my opinions in regard to the use of classic side by sides on driven days were outdated, snobbish and ruled out so many people due to the cost of an English side by side. What a load of cobblers!
I have to point out it is supposed to be a “sport”. By its very definition this should mean that it is fair and must involve a level of skill to ensure success. I personally don’t think it’s very sporting to use a 36 inch barrelled Perrazzi to poke birds out of the sky! Why not go the whole hog and equip yourself with an anti aircraft gun or better still toss a hand grenade into the bird pens! That’s the whole concept of the word “sport”, you have to give the feathered targets half a chance of getting away.
For me, I prefer to use old side by sides for the same reason people acquire classic cars. It has absolutely nothing to do with being sensible or efficient. It is more about a feeling, a feeling that you never actually own the gun and are a mere custodian, you are adding another chapter in the guns history.
You don’t have to go for the high roller brands of Purdey, Boss & Co etc to obtain an old side by side. You just have to align your targeted acquisition to your budget and be clear on what is important to you, for example is it practicality, is it provenance or the condition and quality. I personally find the lesser known makers provide more chance to research the history and thus provide very interesting conversation pieces during elevenses and are just more unique.
My personal preference would be to go for Provenance, although you can probably tell I’m old romantic (the wife would disagree). I currently have a number of guns for sale that fit into each category priced between £750 & £4000 if anyone is interested?
Our cousins on the other side of the pond take a very different view and really appreciate the craftsmanship and history surrounding our old guns. Not unlike there fetish for fireplaces removed from stately homes I’m led to believe! I fear that if people don’t at least consider owning a old English side by side, they will soon be confined to the Museums and dim and distant past. If that happens or the majority are shipped to the States, we’ll turn into the archetypal “Brit” and moan and whine that; “It’s not like it used to be”, “Remember the days when you could get an English side by side” etc etc.
Steve Horton
Member Gun
2 November 2011 by Steve Horton, 0 comments
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