When a gun arrives in our workshops, it is first dismantled and minutely examined for flaws in lock, stock, barrels or furniture. We then assess what is required to restore this piece of gunmaking history to meet the requirements of today's demanding sportsperson whilst preserving the fine patina of generations of use.

By using the best of modern technology combined with traditional techniques of gun finishing we ensure the result is a highly practical and finely finished weapon for the enthusiast. These guns are beautiful to behold and this beauty is not skin deep. They are intended for use in the competition and sporting field.

Our aim is to produce an historic, aesthetically delightful gun suitable for use in the modern sporting landscape.
Our procedure is as follows:

Actions Actions are totally stripped, thoroughly cleaned, lubricated, regulated, reassembled and tested. The gun is then restripped and restoration commences. Component parts that are considered past their useful life are refurbished or replaced as appropriate.

Stocks & Forends The stock and forend start the long journey back to their full, rich beauty. We avoid all fillers and sealers, using up to 50 applications of a special formula linseed oil based finish to fill the grain and produce a finish of superb depth and lustre. This work is all done in house other than full rechequering which, when required, is entrusted only to the best of our outworkers. Other than when the stock carries a fine butt plate or recoil pad, we leave the butt unfinished rather that waste valuable length. On purchase, the customer has the choice of a variety of butt finishes to choose from at trade prices or he can have the butt finished elsewhere.

Barrels & Proof

Barrels are honed to remove all significant pitting where this has occurred. Where beyond honing, TIG welding is generally used to effect a sleeved repair (often referred to as 'Invisible Sleeving'). Unless there are specific reasons not to do so, all guns are sent for reproof at the London Proof House. We generally reproof to 2 3/4" (70mm) chamber length.
We subscribe to the belief that a recommended minimum wall thickness is 0.020". Although we have encountered many barrels that have successfully passed reproof with minimum wall thickness' of less than 0.015", we believe that 0.020" gives one not only a healthy safety margin but also room for lapping after repairs to wall damage.

Pins (Screws) Where necessary, we hand turn new pins (screws) that have suffered at the hands of inexpert dismantlers and have these re-engraved by craftspeople working within the English gun trade. These are then hardened, tempered and blued.

Finishing

Barrels are then blacked or browned as appropriate. We use the traditional 'slow rust' methods exclusively for our barrels, believing in the old adage that 'Rome was not built in a day'. Mercury free solutions ensure a deep, silk finish on both steel and Damascus barrels but require up to 12 and 25 passes respectively to ensure maximum evenness and resistance to corrosion..
Lastly, once any worn engraving has been freshened, we polish and blue the gun's furniture.