Introducing the August Issue

Welcome to The Vintage Gun Journal, your free-to-view monthly magazine for all things British gun and rifle.

July was another month without rain. Shropshire looks like Texas with no respite forecast.

Recent auctions showed that collector grade guns with interesting features or provenance are still make big bucks.

Holt's sold a lovely and unusual Rigby sidelock estimated at £3,000-£5,000 for the huge hammer price of £15,000 (plus 35% in tax and fees).

We have some interesting guns awaiting listing: Two pairs of Purdey over & unders, a couple of interestingly re-engraved Purdey pigeon guns and a nearly new 1986 Purdey sidelock. Also, a pair of Holland & Holland 'The Sporting Model' over & unders. 

Tha Game Fair was a success this year, with good footfall, better security and lovely weather.

We have put our pheasant poults to wood, early indications from the moors suggest that grouse numbers could be better this season and my little Vizsla, Worm, seems to be maturing right as her mother, Vesper, begins to show signs of slowing down.

Participating in two photo shoots for Westley Richards and shooting in the inter-company London Gunmakers' Competition at the beautiful Holland & Holland Shooting Ground were other highlights of the month.

I'll be watching for grouse reports carefully, as I have a very exciting invitation to shoot three days near Constable Burton in mid-September.

Nothing beats driven grouse, double-gunning with a pair of ancient hammer guns!

As always, thank you for reading the VGJ .

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