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Hi Nitro,

Certainly since I have been dealing with H & H they have always made their own barrels for double rifles from BRITISH forgings. The tubes are forged in the north of England and built in their own premises by their own craftsmen, as are their side lock actions. James Purdey has always preferred British tubes, but when these have not been available they certainly do use continental ones. But the integrity and quality of the finished chopper lump barrels depends on the hours and skill put into the barrel making, rather than the source of the forgings.

Unless you purchase a used best double at an auction such as Christies, you will never recover your cost. Even here, a best H & H Royal in the right condition, with buyers’ premium, will still run well over $50,000. That is what the market will bear: so that is what they’re worth. Best London box locks are a bargain by comparison.

But many people are not prepared to pay the going price for a perfect gun which is why so many complain they’ve ended up with a “dog”. Churchill built their last box lock rifle recently and it was $50,000. Apart from the locks themselves, the difference in the labour hours of a box / side lock is minimal, so presumabley this is why they will not make more. Bozard will produce a rifle with even better wood and British tubes for $30,000, which is the reason they are inundated and there is over two years waiting time. A really good best London box lock double, in the “right” condition, will still make gross $20,000+ at auction, if you can find one. Just look through the old Chrities catalogues. People who pay less often do so at their peril, or suffer a cosmetically inferior gun.

I was surprised on you view of H & H doubles. If you were to try shooting a late H & H Royal I am sure you would love it. In absolute terms of course best London guns are overpriced. But then so are Patek Phillip watches and Aston Martins. But what the money buys is not just something to tell the time or get from A to B. It is the satisfaction of owning something beautifully crafted in the time honoured tradition with a special charisma, balance, and feel. A CZ .458 or a mass produced .470 double with mono blocks will kill anything on this planet stone dead – but where’s the magic?

But then again, perhaps I'm just a sentimental old Brit.

Martin

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