Auctions & Markets
Stock Blank Auction
Quality walnut is always in demand. Holt's say they have a lot of it.
Auctions & Markets |
Issues & Events
Gunmaker's Theatre
The GTA has lined up some fascinating talks and demos for the new Gunmakers’ Theatre, at The Game Fair.
Issues & Events |
Issues & Events
Magnificent but Misinformed
Sir Ranulph Feinnes is a personal hero but on trophy hunting he has totally missed the point.
Issues & Events |
Lifestyle
Be Holt's Bag Man
No such thing as a free lunch? Maybe, but Holt's will give you a free hessian bag.
Lifestyle |
Auctions & Markets
How Was Holt's in June?
Kensington is proving a good venue for the auctioneers and after-sales drove up the total significantly.
Auctions & Markets |
Shooting
Hammering Driven Grouse
Enjoying a day on the moor with hammer guns means embracing their apparent shortcomings.
Shooting |
Shooting
Driven Shooting Etiquette
Driven shooting has a code of conduct all of its own. Learn it before you do it.
Shooting |
Issues & Events
Straight Out of Africa
Professional Hunter, Mbogo with the first of his articles from the front line of hunting and conservation in Africa.
Issues & Events |
Gunsmithing & Technical
Chambers and Loads
Pre-war shotguns come with three common chamber lengths, we discuss the reasons and benefits of each.
Gunsmithing & Technical |
Lifestyle
The Traditional Shooting Suit
The best garb for the shooting field is somewhat debatable today, with a huge choice of modern, technical fabrics from which to choose.
Lifestyle |
Issues & Events
Celebrating The Adams Cup
A very special competition devised by a very remarkable competitor.
Issues & Events |
Guns & Gunmakers
Pondering John Thomson
David Baker thinks you only really know a gun when you have shot with it, taken it to pieces and researched its story.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Guns & Gunmakers
From the Purdey Archives
Nick Harlow takes a fascinating look at the lesser known Purdey Large Bore Double and Single Rifles.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Gunsmithing & Technical
Making Pin-fire Cartridge Cases
David Baker explains how to use modern cartridge cases to make functional pinfire ammunition.
Gunsmithing & Technical |
Issues & Events
An Open Letter to Piers Morgan
Former Game Warden Ron Thompson's letter to Piers Morgan following their fractious TV conversation.
Issues & Events |
People
The Life & Times of Tommy De Grey
Lord Walsingham's light burned brightly for just a few decades before his passion for shooting ruined him.
People |
Guns & Gunmakers
Gun Case Labels: Charles Boswell
Our regular feature looks at a case label from a different maker and period, with a good facsimile and notes on dates and style.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Gunsmithing & Technical
The Baker Ejector Explained
Gunsmith James Reynolds on fixing the, much criticised, Baker ejector.
Gunsmithing & Technical |
Guns & Gunmakers
Twenty-Inch Temptation
Donald Dallas is beguiled by an unusual Scottish gun at Holt's last auction.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Guns & Gunmakers
Don't mention the war.
Is the Lee action quicker, lighter, more accurate and practically stronger than the Mauser.? Gabriel Syme might convince you.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Issues & Events
British side-by-side championship news
Registration opens in July for the annual challenge where game shooters can show their skills with traditional guns.
Issues & Events |
Issues & Events
All Change at Ducks Hill
Holland & Holland re-launched their shooting ground with a party on June 27th.
Issues & Events |
Lifestyle
The Explora Goes into Print
Birmingham's premier gunmaker, Westley Richards, publish their quality periodical 'The Explora'.
Lifestyle |
Issues & Events
Rigby's Biggest Ever Game Fair Stand
On-hand will be 12 members of the Rigby team, including gunmakers, engravers plus representatives from their sales department.
Issues & Events |
Guns & Gunmakers
Small Bores: Utility and scarcity
We pay more for a small bore gun than a standard 12-bore. But just how rare and usable are the smaller game guns that everyone seems to be looking for?
Guns & Gunmakers |
Issues & Events
Where Have all the Trees Gone?
The, once magnificent, banks of Botswana's Chobe River, formerly abundant with wildlife, have been devastated by elephant over-population.
Issues & Events |
Auctions & Markets
Gavin Gardiner at Gleneagles
The auction is at the Gleneagles Hotel, on, August 26, and will include a fine round action ejector over and under gun by David McKay Brown
Auctions & Markets |
Guns & Gunmakers
Robertson's 'Royal' Sidelock
‘Royal’ was first used to describe a production gun in September 1883. The mechanism was co-patented by John Robertson, who would later own Boss.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Guns & Gunmakers
The Bullet Proof Boxlock Rifle
Boxlock double rifles have served African hunters, faithfully, for a hundred and fifty years.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Guns & Gunmakers
Victorian Guns are Different
When selecting a Victorian game gun, don't expect it to be like your modern O/U of similar gauge.
Guns & Gunmakers |
Auctions & Markets
July Sporting Gun Auctions
A look at the London and provicial auctions with guns listed.
Auctions & Markets |
Issues & Events
This Month's Contributors
July's contributors include top gun writers, a professional hunter, Purdey's archivist and a working gun-maker.
Issues & Events |
Gunsmithing & Technical
Making Oils for Stock Finishing
A traditional gunstock finish is more satisfying if you make the oils yourself. We look at some old recipes.
Gunsmithing & Technical |
Auctions & Markets
The Profit Motive
If you bought a gun in an auction, then paid a professional to restore it at full price, you won’t make killing when you try to sell it.
Auctions & Markets |
Auctions & Markets
How New Guns Affect Used Prices
What role does the production of new guns have in controlling the prices achieved at auction of relatively recent guns?
Auctions & Markets |
Shooting
The Boxing Day Shoot
In the midst of a long, wet summer, the Boxing Day shoot is a tradition that we can look back on - and forward to.
Shooting |
Issues & Events
Trophy Hunting
Be it Africa or England, carefully managed hunting helps preserve the natural landscape.
Issues & Events |
Auctions & Markets
Tough Times for Average Guns
In a difficult market, what is hot and what is not?
Auctions & Markets |
Gunsmithing & Technical
The Right Way to Test a Gun
In an article from 1969, Gough Thomas discusses effective testing methods for British side-by-side shotguns.
Gunsmithing & Technical |
Lifestyle
Less is More
For many, the iconic Rolex is the simplest Submariner. It may not have 'bling' but it was good enough for James Bond.
Lifestyle |
Introducing the July Issue
Welcome to The Vintage Gun Journal, your free-to-view monthly magazine for all things British gun and rifle.
Our mission is to promote knowledge of British sporting guns and their continued use in the field.
Here you will find articles by the best writers in the business and by working gunsmiths and professional hunters, as well and news and topical features.
We are here to share our knowledge and enthusiasm for the finest guns ever made.
