Open Season...

This Sunday marks the opening of Duck shooting season. Though I shall be on my knees for the weekend, planting 3000 buxus seedlings, I thought to mark the occasion I would write a suitable post; a follow up to my previous posts on correct country attire and shooting parties.

Here are some samples of what the spiffing country lad might wear this shooting season...

It's hard to believe that the poor creatures didn't see them coming...

One must remember to cover up One's Morris Dancing socks...

and practice loitering nonchalantly in doorways...

Country life is never complete without a dog...

Whether big or small, make sure his coat matches your leather goods...

Let us not forget the ladies...

and the undecided...

Let's not forget the all important part of shooting, the gun.
When I replace my gun, I would like my next one to be a Purdey...

While Purdey's are best known as makers of fine shotguns, they also continue to produce rifles, both double-barreled and bolt-action. Both because the Purdey name is arguably the most prestigious of any firearms manufacturer and because the guns are custom-made, largely by hand, they are extremely expensive. A new Purdey shotgun starts at around $100,000 US.

Purdey was established in London in 1814. just before the Battle of Waterloo. The founder, James Purdey, had previously worked as head stocker for Manton, the foremost gunmaker of his time. Purdey set up his gun making business in Princes St, but soon moved to Manton's former premises in Oxford St in 1826.

James Purdey (the younger) took over the running of the company from his father in 1858. Over his lifetime there was rapid change and development in the design of guns and rifles. James the younger was always at the forefront of advances in the design and building of his guns and rifles, and took out several patents for technical innovations over the years, many of which were adopted by other gunmakers.

In 1882 the company moved from Oxford Street to the new premises (below) on the corner of South Audley Street and Mount Street, where it remains to this day. James the younger designed this building to accommodate his showroom, the factory for making guns and cartridges, and later it provided living quarters for his family.

In 1900 Athol Purdey took over from his father and ran the business through the prosperous Edwardian years, when country life was in a revival, as well as supervising Purdey's manufacturing of gun parts and other items of ordnance for the War Department during the 1914-1918 war. His sons, James and Tom, both of whom had survived serious injuries whilst fighting in France, joined the firm in the 1920s, and took over from Athol Purdey on his retirement circa 1929.

No, not that sort of Purdey...

(though Joanna Lumley is credited with suggesting the character be named Purdey, after James Purdey and Sons)

Holland and Holland is the other gunsmith whose work I should be so lucky to own. It was founded by Harris Holland (1806–96) in the year 1835.

In 1883 Holland and Holland entered the trials organized by the magazine The Field and won all of the rifle categories. This set a new standard of excellence for the competition among English gunmakers, and since then it has become a coveted name in One's gunrack.


In the 1990s, Holland and Holland started on a major program of expansion. The company has stores ("gunrooms") in NYC and Moscow. The company's London flagship store on Burton Street has been completely renovated and expanded (below)...

Last year they really pushed out the boat for the luxury lifestylers and joined forced with Range Rover. For a mere $140,000 GBP One can purchase an Overfinch - an exclusive Range Rover designed by Overfinch and Holland and Holland. This is the elite country vehicle. Don your tweeds, grab your shooting stick, and jump in...