Thomas Boss started building guns some time in the 1820s, and started the firm Boss & Co in 1860. I rather thought it had traded more-or-less continuously since then.

Most of these companies have seen economic slow-downs before. While it is true that over the years most of the British gunmakers either closed or were absorbed by other companies when times were hard, many resurfaced in recent times: Churchill, Holloway & Naughton, etc. The landscape may indeed become less fertile for doubles in the next year or two, both rifles and shotguns, and that would be a great pity. Sadly, those gunmakers with the greatest skill at 'cutting corners' will likely be the survivors.