In what has been a difficult time for gun sales, the Game Fair this year at Blenheim Palace bucked the trend for several dealers and there was somthing of a bump is the sector following a successful TV series.
Although Gunmakers' Row is now what it once was in the heyday of teh Game Fair, when it was teh Country Landowners' Association's annual showpiece event, it was good to see Boss and Holland & Holland flying the flag for our best gunmakers and Giles Marriott, The Cheshire Gunroom and The Veynol Gun Room among those representing the wider trade specialising in British guns of all vintages.
Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, was a suitable setting for three sunny days of events, exhibitions, sales and fraternising for those in the trade.
There were plenty of have-a-go stands for all kinds of shooting sports and country pursuits, with all manner of dogs, birds of prey, horses, ferrets and other creatures on display.
The Gun Trade Association hosted talks by leading industry voices (including Diggory Hadoke and Gavin Gardiner) on issues facing the shooting sports and gun ownership, among other topics.
The good news came mainly from the clothing sector, with Fortis Clothing, Dubarry and Massy-Birch all relating huge demand following the very country-themed TV series 'The Gentlemen' with Vinny Jones playing a character very like his father (Peter was a gamekeeper for many years and ran the North Mymms Park shoot in Hertfordshire until he retired).
The popularity of the series has had a knock-on effect of creating interest in the eccentric counry attire of many of the leading characters. Suddenly, tweeds, boots and hats are in fashion.
Blenheim Palace took over from Ragley Hall this year and provided a venue closer to London and the wealthier counties of the South East.
We visited on Friday and Saturday and noted the presence of the likes of Anthony Alborough-Tregear, MD of Westley Richards, Arther DeMoulas of Boss & Co, Nick Holt, of Holt's auctioneers, Edward King of ASI, Mike Ladd, of Ladds Guns and the GTA supremo Simon Weston all chatting about business and the health of the sector, as well as sharing a joke and a drink.
Holland & Holland had a big, impressive stand this year, with their young sales team in attendance. They had on display a range of models from current stock and past manufacture.
The impression was of a company that has to a large extent turned its fortunes around. It felt sharper, leaner and more focussed, credit for which must largely go to the recently departed COO Nigel Stuart. The new catalogue is beautifully presented and shows quality British shooting kit at the heart of a brand which once again feels like ift knows where it sits.
Reports of orders are encouraging and this will, hopefully, be the start of a full-on resurgeance of what for many decades was considered Britain's premier rifle maker.
Others were also attracting attention, with Kemen showing their wares, including a titanium bodied over & under. This lightweight model wa sespecially appealing in 20-bore to ladies.
With most outlets selling guns displaying 'SALE' tickerts for the show there was a fair amount of business taking place. Classic British shotguns are a ridiculouly goob buy right now. One dealer told me he had a Purdey sidelock he sold twenty years ago for £19,500 which he had just bought back for under £10,000. That will be a bargain for a real enthusiast, now that the speculators that dominated the market for so long are crying into their beer.
Holts had catalogued for July a pair of 1930s Purdeys that sold at Bonhams a decade ago for £40,000. They were listed at £12,000-£15,000. Again, a cracking deal for the right person who buys guns to enjoy and use rather than as a commodity on which to make a profit.
It is increasingly difficult to get good work done on vintage guns, with the aged pool of gunmakers who trained in the1960s reaching the end of their working lives. However, there was a good demonstration of current skills by the likes of Tony White and Jim Blacker showing that there is hope for the future.
In all, a good event, even if it isn't quite the powerhouse it was in the late 1990s. For those overseas readers consideringa trip, it is definitely worth attending once if you enjoy all things British country sports and sporting guns.
It is possible to stay in a pub ten or fifteen mies from the show for around £100 and take a short drive each morning to the show ground, which was well orgainsed. Traffic in and out was jam-free both days I attended.
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