GTN issue 86

TARGET. EYES ON

2.– 5.3.2023

NUREMBERG, GERMANY LATEST TRENDS FOR THE FAIR www.iwa.info

IWA OUTDOOR CLASSICS 2023

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

BSSC and GTA campaigning to remove moderators from licences

Both the British Sports Shooting Council and the Gun Trade Association have engaged with government departments in a co-ordinated attempt to remove the requirement to put moderators on firearms certificates.

Both organisations argue that the law as it stands needs reforming. Moderators are currently treated as firearms themselves under the law, a historical hangover from the use of silencers in espionage and assassination. Today’s moderators are seen as an essential piece of health and safety kit.

Initial approaches to government and police have met with encouraging responses. Chris Philp, the policing minister, has stated: “There is a strong and growing case for legislating to remove them from current firearms licensing controls.”

Graham Downing, head of the BSSC, told us: “It is encouraging that the minister has recognised the strong and growing case for deregulating sound moderators. Almost everyone who hunts with a rifle now uses moderators. They represent no threat to public safety and licensing them involves the police in much unnecessary work. Removing them from licensing control would ease the burden on the shooting community and free up police time for the much more important matter of licensing firearms and shotguns. BSSC will be urging Home Office of-

ficials to take this initiative forward at the first legislative opportunity.”

Simon West of the Gun Trade Association writes for us about the campaign in his exclusive column on page 40.

FX UNVEILS PRECISION PANTHERA

Although the early signs are encouraging, both West and Downing acknowledge that this may be a slow change to implement, and that it is likely to have to wait until some other firearms legislation is brought before Parliament.

GUNS ON PEGS REVEALS ITS TOP SHOOTS FOR 2022

Shoot-booking website Guns on Pegs has revealed its top 10 most viewed, and top 10 most enquired about, shoots across the country. The top 10 most viewed is a simple list of those that the public have looked at—as Guns on Pegs don’t keep transaction data they are unable to tell how many views turn into bookings. What Guns on Pegs do know is which shoots and agents receive the most enquiries, and they have made that information public too.

The number one viewed shoot for 2022 was Ripley Castle in North Yorkshire. Set in stunning scenery near Harrogate and with an average bag of 240 birds, this half-pheasant, half-partridge traditional shoot is very highly thought of. At the other end of England, Morghew in Kent, established as an estate in 968, is renowned for its friendliness and offers walked up as well as driven days.

GUNS ON PEGS MOST POPULAR SHOOTS 2022

Place Most viewed online Most enquired about

1st Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire Morghew Shoot, Kent

2nd Blannicombe Sporting, Devon Honeycombe Shoot, Dorset

3rd Featherstone Park, Northumberland Four Farms, Essex

4th Lordenshaws, Northumberland Montgomery Sporting, Agent

5th Hanmer Shoot, Wrexham Premier Game Days, Agent

6th Cornwood, Devon Hanmer Shoot, Wrexham

7th Kinnerton Sporting, Shropshire W L Sporting, Agent

8th Davenport House, Shropshire Graythwaite Estate Sporting, Cumbria

9th Clovelly, Devon Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire

10th Studley Royal, North Yorkshire Double Stones, West Yorkshire

The latest, much-anticipated release from FX Airguns looks set to find favour with airgunners embracing the current trend for slug ammunition. The new Panthera has been designed and built to win long-range competitions, but its enviable credentials should also make it a very capable airgun for pest control.

Swedish airgun giant FX said the Panthera represents a significant leap in airgun evolution. The PCP air rifle features a new breech block designed specifically for slug shooting and incorporating a highpower, short-impulse, one-piece valve to optimise airflow at very high-power levels.

Distributed in the UK by Sportsman Gun Centre, the Panthera retails for around £1,900. Its design incorporates a unique over-the-barrel plenum and a single AMP MK II regulator. This ability to precisely control airflow, combined with the renowned FX Superior STX barrel, promises remarkable potential for long-range accuracy. Other features include a 14.75in Arca rail complete M-LOK sections and a barricade block nestled next to the breech. Balance and gun fit can be further refined by means of barrel weights, a fully adjustable buttstock and an adjustable, ambidextrous cheekpiece.

WE SAY

Happy New Year to you all…

I don’t know if it’s just me, but this New Year has felt quite different to the last few. It has been highly energised for me and my colleagues—we have never been busier. We have never before brought you such a full Gun Trade News in January, featuring so many advertisers, for example.

I’ve also been out and about over the festive period, highlights of which have included visiting GMK in Hampshire and Barbury Shooting School in Swindon, both workplaces buzzing with activity and plans for the year.

It’s great to see some positive news on our front cover too—removing moderators from licence does make a great deal of sense, though we must make sure that the associated trade is not lost to us in some sort of ensuing internet shopping free-forall. Possibly a requirement to present a valid FAC should remain a criterion before purchasing a moderator, though that may be over-protectionist of me. More than one gun nut has told me that they would still be seeking the surety of buying their moderators from a gunshop as they’re pretty particular what they stick on their expensive rifle. Anyone who’s ever seen a range at the end of a day littered with blown-off moderator parts will concur—there is quite a substantial difference in the quality of these devices, even as currently sold.

One casualty of our being so busy has been the pursuit of an idea floated to me by James Gower of the Game Fair at the turn of the year. James, like many in the gun trade, is looking hard for staff at

the moment (he needs some commercial people and PR execs if anyone can help) and thought it would be great if we did a feature on New Year, New Career—encouraging people to get new jobs in the trade. As an incentive he thought it would be interesting if we started printing a list of average pay in our sector—and it would. Assuming I

find time in between planning our visits to BSS and IWA and producing the next issue of GTN you should look out for a survey from me and—don’t worry—the process will be automated so your answers will be entirely confidential.

See you at the shows.

Steve

GOING TO THE BRITISH?

For greater success in the field and at the range, check out the latest innovation in shotguns, rifles, scopes, clothing, ammunition and accessories, at Highland Outdoors’ stand. www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk

“

It’s great to see some positive news on our front cover ”

black pepper

INDUSTRY NEWS

Around the UK and abroad, all the top stories digested

Alan Paine expands collection for Autumn/Winter 2023

With a raft of new products and tweeds, Alan Paine’s country wear collection is greatly expanded for Autumn/Winter 2023. Highlights include new colourways and styles, new all-weather performance wear designed to move with the body, a new technical tweed collection of all-purpose, year-round country staples, plus new quilts and wind-stopper mid-layers.

The expansion of the brand’s next generation performance outerwear sees the addition of the Stancombe men’s range. Crafted from their most flexible fabric to date, the innovative material has a waterproof and breathable coating and supreme flexibility for greater movement.

Also new for the season is the Didsmere men’s and ladies’ range of lightweight technical tweeds, offering fully functional country wear in rich countryside colours. And, to ensure ladies are storm-ready, the machine washable Milwood coat is introduced, complete with detachable hood.

Alan Paine’s Calsall range of conscious outerwear is also increased. The sustainable super mid-layer collection introduces a new men’s hybrid jacket and a new ladies’ jacket and gilet. All items contain renewably sourced DuPont Sorona thermal filling and are machine-washable for wear without worry. The new Mossley wind-stopper wardrobe essentials feature a breathable membrane to protect you in even the windiest conditions.

In tweed, there’s new colourways thyme and hazel in the men’s and ladies perennially popular Combrook range, with the introduction of a faux fur trimmed ladies gilet and vibrant, contemporary colourways, plus new ladies’ cape, introduced in the Surrey tweed offering. New colourways fern and spindle are offered in Alan Paine’s men’s and ladies

Rutland tweed, a carefully crafted wool blend for extra durability which doesn’t compromise on softness of handle.

Moleskin trousers and breeks are added to the men’s collection. These timeless items have added stretch for a more comfortable fit and freedom to move in the great outdoors.

“Nobody does it Beretta,” according to Sylvester

Iconic American actor and filmmaker Sylvester “Sly”

Stallone was visibly impressed with his “absolutely astounding” new acquisition from Beretta, a bespoke rifle lavishly engraved with his name and memories from his life’s work in film. As you can see, the Italians have done well to reproduce the American aesthetic the client required.

Shooting and Outdoor Pursuits company The Shooting Party (TSP), of Shenstone, Staffordshire, has recently announced the launch of their MK II versions of the AirForceOne Hush Puppy and Get Shorty airgun silencers.

Mike Hurney, TSP Chairman, commented: “When we first launched this range of Female ½in UNF threaded airgun moderators in 2014, they were an immediate success because of the high degree of sound suppression they created.

“The new models have all newly designed internals, improving sound suppression even further— such that the Hush Puppy version is very seriously quiet at under 65dbA, and the compact Get Shorty model comes in at only 67 dbA.”

The Hush Puppy and Get Shorty silencers are constructed from matte-black, hard-anodised, 30mm diameter aircraft-grade aluminium tube, and are rust-proof and scratch-resistant. The muzzlehole is 7mm, allowing the silencers to be used with .177, .22 or .25 calibre guns.

The Hush Puppy model is 194.5mm long and weighs in at just 180 grammes, while the Get Shorty model comes in at 127mm long and weighs a superlight 125 grammes.

AirForceOne silencers are designed in the UK for the brand owner, The Shooting Party, and are exclusively distributed by them in the UK.

SRPs: Hush Puppy £44.99, Get Shorty £49.99

Franco Gussalli Beretta, President & CEO at Beretta, explained: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Sly for more than 30 years, since I met him during one of his visits to Italy through our mutual friend Monty Shadow. In 2021, again thanks to the late Monty Shadow, Sly contacted us with a great opportunity. After months of work, in the last days of 2022 we delivered into his hands this unique piece with engravings reminiscent of the great Rocky.”

“I’m going to use this with pride, but I’m definitely going to hang it on the wall as an art object before that,” said Stallone, slowly and deliberately.

GTA personal shooting insurance

The GTA has announced that, alongside all the usual benefits of membership, you now will also have Personal Shooting Insurance included in your GTA membership next year. There is no additional charge for this benefit and the main contact for each full company will be covered. More details will follow in January. Check in for updates at gtaltd.co.uk

Voting for CPSA Awards now live

The finalists for the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association 2023 Awards have been announced and voting is now open to determine the winners in eight categories. The CSPA will be showcasing the finalists in pictures and words, so do check them out. Voting closes on 31 January.

Second-hand Purdey goes high

A 12-bore single-trigger sidelock ejector over & under gun by James Purdey & Sons sold for £62,500 at Gavin Gardiner’s auction of Modern & Vintage Sporting Guns on 14 December 2022. The maker had confirmed that the gun was built in 1991 and conformed to its original specification. The gun appears virtually unused with the vendor stating that he had used it on only a handful of occasions.

Call for game bird release ban

Jeff Knott, Director of Policy at the RSPB, has again called for the government to restrict the release of game birds next season. Knott made a similar demand in August of last year, and repeated the call on Countryfile this month, with particular reference to pheasants, regardless of the damage such a move might cause to the UK shooting industry.

Wild Justice going for lead

Wild Justice say they have been buying game meat from a variety of sources and that those samples are now being analysed for their lead content. “We’ll bring you the news when we get it,” they promise.

Highland Outdoors to distribute Aimcam camera glasses

Shooting and clothing specialist Highland Outdoors has added another brand to its portfolio with a deal to distribute Aimcam’s camera glasses throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand, though not currently the UK.

Billed as the world’s most advanced ‘line of sight’ cameras, Aimcam glasses are designed to help the wearer capture their whole experience directly from their point of view.

Constructed with super robust TR90 frames and Z87+ high velocity resistant lenses, the glasses boast a 3.7k Ultra HD / Sony 1080p full HD ‘line of sight’ camera. Footage can be streamed, edited and shared via the free iOS/Android pro app, while other features include smooth slow-motion detailed replays, stereo

microphone, 64 or 128GB internal storage and a micro SD card slot. The glasses are also waterproof and dustproof to IP66, with intelligent vibration and LED feedback plus full eye-seal protection.

Steve Kelly, Highland Outdoors Group’s commercial director, said: “The team is very excited to be working with Aimcam and we pledge a substantial investment toward their product range. We’re looking forward to offering this innovative brand to our trade partners throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand.”

Established in 2007, Highland Outdoors is a major UK wholesale distributor for shooting sports, supported by an international network of sister companies around the globe.

Bold new colours are the hallmark of the new Alan Paine range

The PRO 2i is fully featured with a 1080p camera and a free app that lets you stream live to your phone. It retails at around £225.

ghland

are golden

Woodcock to be debated in Parliament

The Wild Justice petition to shorten the woodcock shooting season has reached the 100,000 threshold needed to trigger a parliamentary debate. Westminster must now consider whether to delay the start of the woodcock season to 1 December, reducing it to just two months.

The idea is not new: the GWCT suggested this as a voluntary measure in areas where there are breeding woodcock about five years ago. While there is no evidence that shooting is a problem, our home-breeding woodcock are in decline, so it is suggested that delaying the start of the season until most winter migrants have arrived could avoid home-breeding birds coming under more pressure than the migrants.

However, GWCT director of advice and educa-

Ashley Gibbins joins SGC

Sportsman Gun Centre has appointed Ashley Gibbins as its new field representative for trade sales. Ashley joins SGC with a wealth of knowledge and proficiency from his previous roles within the shooting industry. Originally working within the retail sector of the gun trade, Ashley previously managed a chain of gun shops in the Midlands to great effect.

Ashley commented on his new role: “I am delighted to be joining the Sportsman and starting my new role as the northern sales representative. After 20 previous years in the trade I’m excited to be representing SGC with all the current and future brands it distributes.”

tion Roger Draycott disagreed with the Wild Justice proposal: “We do not believe that a statutory change in the season will have any beneficial impact on our resident woodcock. There is already evidence, at a national scale, of a reduction in shooting pressure over the last 20 years. This suggests that other factors, such as change in habitat quality or increased predation pressure, are driving the decline.

“Based on current evidence, conservation effort would be better devoted to habitat restoration. GWCT and BTO will also be conducting a repeat national breeding woodcock survey this spring. This will provide an up-to-date population estimate, and it is our advice to wait for the results of this survey before any change to the season is considered.”

Gary Lamburn, MD added: “We would like to welcome Ashley to the Sportsman team and we look forward to him bringing his considerable expertise to the table.”

Jo Menezes to represent Beretta

Jo Menezes has taken on the role of representing the Beretta clothing and accessories range with the aim of building upon the success already made by the existing GMK team.

Said Jo: “My aim is to grow the UK and Ireland business through strategic planning shared with Beretta HQ in Italy in order to help dealers and retailers reach their true potential by stocking the quality Beretta range.

“Based near the Peak District National Park, I enjoy the outdoor world and its activities. I am sure the collaboration with Beretta and GMK will improve my ‘shot’! And I am looking forward to working with customers in the new year.”

Infiray UK pairs up with Andy Crow

Infiray UK and Highland Outdoors are proud to be working alongside Andy Crow to promote the Infiray brand.

Andy is a farm manager of an arable farm in Kent. He shoots pigeons, deer, rabbits and foxes for crop control protection and vermin control. His days out shooting have been documented over the past 11 years by the Fieldsports Channel, Sporting Shooter magazine, and most recently by Shooting & Country TV.

As an experienced outdoors professional, Andy has an extensive knowledge of farming and pest control issues, and everyone at Infiray UK

Black Rifle is going to IWA

Highland Outdoors has secured an exclusive partnership with Black Rifle and so will now be exhibiting the company’s products at IWA 2023.

Black Rifle manufactures a range of competitionproven upgrades for practical and long-range shooting. Carbon fibre and aerospace materials feature heavily across the product range, delivering lightweight, robust and sublimely finished accessories.

“We’re looking forward to offering this innovative brand to gunsmiths and our trade partners,” said HO’s Group Commercial Director, Steve Kelly.

and Highland Outdoors is excited to be collaborating with him and looks forward to seeing his results with Infiray scopes and monoculars.

verCover up with Swazi’s new balaclava

New Zealand clothing brand Swazi Apparel has rereleased their balaclava. Swazi’s head of retail sales, Vicki Rowe, commented: “Our balaclavas should be an addition to every outdoorsman’s wardrobe. They will provide comfort and protection against the elements, whether you’re trekking the mountains, strolling through the bush or simply for everyday use.”

RRP: £25. Colours: Black, Olive, or Tussock. For more information, visit swazi.co.nz

Space still available at IWA and BSS

There is still some space available at IWA Outdoor Classics and The British Shooting Show, say organisers of the events.

IWA 2023 will be held in Nuremberg from 2 to 5 March, when the hunting, shooting sports, outdoor activities and security trade fair will host prominent manufacturers from around the world, as well as new international exhibitors. Details of registrations can be seen at iwa.info/en/ausstellerprodukte, where you

will also find contact details for booking your own place at the show.

Before IWA comes around, the British Shooting Show is scheduled for February 17 to 19 in Birmingham. Phil Challands of organisers FRL Media Group said: “The ethos of the BSS is very simple: service the gun trade and not get embroiled in distractions and dilutions outside of our sector.” To book a stand, call 01258 857700.

THE ORIGINAL AND STILL THE BEST - THE RUGER PRECISION® FAMILY

WHEN ORIGINALLY LAUNCHED THE RUGER PRECISION® SET NEW STANDARDS, OFFERING OUTSTANDING ACCURACY, LONG-RANGE CAPABILITY AND QUALITY AT A PRICE POINT NEVER OFFERED BEFORE.

WITH THE ORIGINAL AVAILABLE IN .308 WIN, 6.5 CREEDMOOR AND 6MM CREEDMOOR, THE RANGE NOW INCLUDES TWO ADDITIONAL MODELS, THE RUGER PRECISION® RIMFIRE AVAILABLE IN .22LR, .22WMR AND .17HMR AND THE RUGER PRECISION® MAGNUM WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN 338 LAPUA, 300 PRC AND 300 WIN MAG. RUGER®, RUGGED, RELIABLE FIREARMS

BLOWING HOT AND COLD

GTN sales manager Lee Hurst takes this versatile day/night thermal scope out for a test run and has an in-depth look at the quality and value

IF you’re looking to switch from a day scope to thermal, or even set yourself up with a dedicated night rifle running thermal, there are a number of manufacturers you can look at, but 2022 saw a new player arrive on the scene. When I say new, Thermtec has been producing thermal imaging equipment since 2011, but the Ares range is its first thermal rifle scope, and it is available here in the UK from Optical Solutions.

The Ares 335 retails at £2,100, so what do you get for your money and is it any good?

Rather than go into too much of the spec side of things, which is all available on the Optical Solutions website, the Ares 335 has a 12 micron, NETD <35mK core along with a 1024 x 768 AMOLED screen which gives excellent image quality. The 35mm objective gives a field of view of around 33m at 100m, which is more than ample if you’re using it for close-range pest control or foxes and deer at slightly longer ranges. The base magnification is 3.2, but there is also a 5x digital zoom available after that. The 335 has a fixed field of view and doesn’t have the optical zoom found on the other Ares models.

The 30mm tube has no moving parts inside, i.e., no shutter, so always switch the unit on with the lens cap closed, and if you do need to refresh, (NUC), this can be done by a quick double press of the scrolling/ zoom turret, but remember to close the lens cap before you NUC it. I must add that I never needed to refresh the unit because the image quality remained excellent. I have a spotter from another manufacturer that had to go back for a sticky shutter and be replaced—no worries about that with the Ares.

The Ares has no internal battery but offers two battery options. The battery turret is on the top, in the same position as the elevation turret on a day scope. It can be powered by an 18-500 battery, giving around four hours of continuous use, or an 18-650, which the manual says will give around six hours. I only used an 18-650 battery, and I got over six hours of use out of it. Another nice touch is that if you do need to change out the battery in the field or in darkness it doesn’t matter which way up you insert it.

From back to front

So, let’s start from the back of the unit and work our way to the front. The rubber eye cup is magnetic and is extremely magnetic, but I was still able to knock it off twice and had to re-trace my steps to find it. I’ve never been a fan of magnetic or detachable eye cups and the Ares has not changed my mind.

On the top there’s the power/sleep button. Then there’s the camera/video button—with a double tap it will activate the picture-in-picture mode, (PIP). Next to that is the button which changes the colour palettes, of which there are six options. With a long press this button will also activate the artificial intelligence range finder, which can only be described as very artificial and not very intelligent. Maybe in the future something can be built in that’s reliable, but the technology here is definitely not there yet. If Thermtec releases a model that has a laser range finder built in it would be a very different story.

Quickly jumping back to the PIP mode, I really like that when zooming in it’s just the PIP view that zooms and the main part of the screen remains as it is. This gives a very specific zoom area, but the overall field of view remains at its maximum.

As mentioned, there are no internals within the 30mm tube and at the front there’s a very nice and tactile focus ring. The scope is also supplied with a set of 30mm rings. They looked fairly cheap and I’m

sure they’d be adequate if mounting to an air rifle or rimfire, but I opted to mount the scope with a set of rings that I already had and that I knew would stand up to some recoil.

Internal menu

When you access the internal menu, it has all the good stuff for setting up the screen to your preferences. There are seven reticle options. Again, I’m not going to go into every aspect of the menu, but I do want to talk about the zeroing options. First, there is the single-shot zero—fairly common these days. Take the shot, freeze the screen, move the secondary crosshair to the point of impact, press the button, and everything snaps together.

The Ares also has an auto-zero and I was interested to see if this was a feature that really added to the

package. Again I will try and be brief here, but when you enter the auto-zero section of the menu it asks you to set your zero distance. It then gives you 15 seconds to take the shot. Once you’ve hit the button and the countdown has started the scope activates the built-in microphone, which registers the report of the shot. Yes, the Ares can record your hunting footage with audio! The scope will then look for the heat signature of the bullet strike and snap to it. I know, it sounds nuts.

It’s important to point out that the colder the target the easier it is for the scope to pick up the impact. I simply put a piece of plywood out at my desired range and shot it, no target, no nothing. The crosshair snapped to the point of impact and that was it done. I will admit I wasn’t sure about it, but it works and it’s a brilliant feature.

To sum up, the Thermtec Ares 335 is definitely punching way above its retail price. The 3.2 base magnification is something I really liked—thermal scopes and spotters normally have about a 2.5 base magnification. The image quality on the screen is extremely crisp and very high quality.

The menu features are packed with all the good stuff and even though they’ve not set the world alight with the AI range-finder—which is fun to play with for a few minutes until you realise it doesn’t really work—everything else about the Thermtec Ares 335 is very good indeed. If you’re in the market for a thermal scope in 2023 then the Thermtec Ares series is definitely worth considering and is excellent value for money. GTN GTN

NEED TO KNOW

n MANUFACTURER: Thermtec

n MODEL: Ares 335

n IMPORTER: Optical Solutions

n PRICE: £2,100

“ The scope will look for the heat signature of the bullet strike and then snap to it ”

The Ares range is Thermtec’s first thermal rifle scope

HAPPY MEMORIES

Gun historian Michael E. Haskew uncovers a wild Purdey owner at Bonhams and races to celebrate Sir Jackie Stewart

When Chris Wynn, the son of a gun collector who has devoted his life to the assembly of an awe-inspiring array of firearms by renowned craftsman James Purdey and his son, James the Younger, set the spectacular fruits of his labour up for sale, the results were historic.

However, the stories that each firearm tell are even more captivating. Wynn noted: “There was ever a chance that I would follow in my father’s footsteps, and so it proved. Accompanying him on many of his visits around the country to meet antique arms dealers and fellow collectors and to attend the many fairs held at that time ignited my own interest in collecting. This eventually led to my lifelong interest in and pursuit of all things Purdey.”

excellent condition and presents with a rebrowned twist octagonal sighted barrel signed in full along the top flat, rifled with 10 spiral grooves and leafsighted from 70 to 150 yards, each leaf with central platinum line. The piece is handsomely embellished with scroll and foliate engraving along with flatlock decorated in a prone stag and landscape motif.

The rifle’s ebonised half-stock is complete with cheekpiece, chequered grip and fore-end with dark horn cap, and the butt plate is decorated with a stag’s head and foliate scroll. The blued, serial numbered trigger-guard includes chequered spur and tiger depicted in landscape between borders of rope work on the bow. Serial numbered 2293, the rifle retains some original finish and sports the London proof marks and barrelsmith’s marks of Purdey and Thomas Evans.

and when a local constable came upon the scene, the law enforcement officer received the same treatment. The assailants quickly followed these attacks by nailing the tollhouse shut and painting the small building red as well. All this hubbub preceded an unabashed romp through the town, where the post office and the storefront of the Leicestershire Banking Company were damaged. When the party happened upon a wagon, an attempt was made to turn it over while a man was asleep inside.

funds for charity. He authored The Jackie Stewart Book of Shooting in 1991 and in 2003 received the Sport Shooting Ambassador Award from the World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities as an “outstanding individual whose efforts have promoted the shooting sports internationally.”

Setting the stage for the sale in 121 lots, a mention of Purdey is appropriate. Mr Wynn’s collection encompassed rare guns made by the masters from around 1814, during the firm’s early days at 4 Prince’s Street, through the next 60 or so years and its time at 314½ Oxford Street, London, in space formerly occupied by another grand old maker, John Manton.

during the firm’s early days at

An Irish peer, the owner of this fine rifle is known to have enjoyed life until his early demise at the age of 48, the result of a

joyed life until his early demise at the age of 48, the result of a

Whether the Marquess was repentant the following day when he woke up sober, and quite possibly with a pounding headache, is unknown. However, the story goes that he promptly paid for all damage done to property and persons. Nevertheless, he was held to account by law, along with his cohorts. Hauled before the Derby Assize Court in July 1838, they managed to be acquitted of causing a riot but were each fined £100, a hefty sum in those days, for the crime of common assault. Later in life, the Marquess is said to have married and mellowed, settling

All of which brings us to the subject shotguns: Lot 1310, a pair of P. Beretta 20-bore ‘Silver Pigeon Sporting’ single-trigger, over & under ejector guns presented to the champion of the Jackie Stewart Rolex Celebrity Challenge Top Lady Gun competition at Gleneagles in 1995. The two guns sport 28-inch nitro barrels, 3-inch chambers, multi-chokes with spares, gold washed triggers, border and floral scroll engraving with pheasants and ducks, and underside depictions of the Gleneagles Hotel and the Rolex brand name and logo. The gun numbered L88502B was the one presented to Rosemary, Marchioness of Northampton, by Pietro Beretta as the prize for Top Lady Gun at Gleneagles, while the second gun, numbered M93403B, was subsequently ordered and engraved to make the pair.

Way’ over 200 years later,” noted Nick Holder, gun room manager of James

“When James Purdey opened his shop, it seemed unlikely that he could have imagined that his company would still be building guns in the ‘Purdey Way’ over 200 years later,” noted Nick Holder, gun room manager of James Purdey & Sons Ltd. “He certainly could not have known the depth of interest that would still surround his work, and that to own one of his guns would be considered a pinnacle of any serious firearms collection.”

While there are too many fine examples of Purdey’s work—and Mr Wynn’s as well—to adequately describe the craftsmanship, provenance and passion surrounding this monumental sale, one piece simply begs for a bit of exploration, and its owner of old managed to influence the English language through his unforgettable reputation.

The Marquess of Waterford

Lot number 76—a .650 (16-bore) percussion sporting rifle completed in 1832 by Purdey while the firm was at 314½ Oxford Street—was the property of Henry de la Poer Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford. Its hammer price of £6,120 smartly exceeded the anticipated range of £3,500-4,500. The rifle is in

horse riding accident. The Marquess was known as Lord Henry Beresford before 1824 and the Earl of Tyrone from 1824-1826, but by any name his time on Earth was memorable. He was frequently in the newspapers due to escapades of brawling, drunkenness, vandalism and general mayhem, and it is said that he was an inveterate gambler. His rowdiness cause such a stir that he was indeed renowned as an eccentric and known far and wide as the ‘Mad Marquess’. He also gave the English language the term “painting the town red” as a synonym for having a grand time.

in his native Ireland at Curraghmore House with his wife, Louisa Stuart, until his untimely demise.

Sir Jackie Stewart OBE

from

The story of his linguistic contribution provides a bit of amusement. Early on the morning of 6 April 1837, the Marquess and his entourage of fox hunting friends were fresh from a lengthy session of heavy drinking during the Broxton Races. As the party rode along, it came to the Thorpe End tollgate at Melton Mowbray. All went well until the toll keeper requested payment for the revellers to pass. At the time, the gate was in repair and several pots of red paint were lying unattended nearby.

The Marquess and his celebratory band seized the moment to douse the poor toll keeper with the paint,

The excitement accelerated during the November 2022 proceedings at Holts’ Church Barn Farms, Wolferton, Norfolk. It’s well known that Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE, famous for his exploits in Formula One racing, was also a hot shot with a firearm in his younger days. The ‘Flying Scot’ drove competitively from 1965 to 1973 and won three World Driver’s Championships, finishing as runner-up twice, in nine electrifying seasons. He earned 27 total victories and later worked as an analyst for ABC Sports.

But prior to embarking on a career in racing, Stewart was quite a competitor in the shooting world. He ‘retired’ from competitive shooting at the tender age of 23, but he left a championship legacy there as well, winning the Scottish Championships twice, as well as the British, Welsh and Irish titles. He also won the Coupe de Nations (British and Mediterranean Championships) twice and came close to making the British Olympic team in 1960. He opened the Jackie Stewart Shooting School at the Gleneagles Hotel in 1995 and regularly hosted his Celebrity Challenge clay shooting competitions to raise

The hammer price of £3,000 reached the upper end of the expected £2,000-3,000 range, and the champion remarked: “I shot in all three of the Rolex Jackie Stewart Celebrity Challenges in 1998, 1990 and 1995. My friend Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who I have shot with for several years, was Top Lady Gun in 1988. My guns and I have travelled together far and wide in the UK and Spain and have never let me down. Happy memories.” GTN

“ The assailants followed these attacks by painting the tollhouse red ”

Henry de la Poer Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford (1811-1859)

The pair of P. Beretta 20-bore ‘Silver Pigeon Sportings’ at Holts

The 1832 .650 (16-bore) percussion sporting rifle by James Purdey

Optics Ready

BARBURY GUN ROOM

For our featured Store of the Month this month we travel to the scenic Marlborough Downs to meet Craig Hartley of the Barbury Gun Room

Are you independent, one of a chain? How does that work? Who do you report to?

We are an independent.

The one member of staff you couldn’t live without and why…

That would have to be Tom. The man’s a legend and very good at his job.

Tell us a little more about yourself, and why you’re running a gun shop. Tell us what your passions are in life…

So my background is in the shooting industry. I worked as a senior instructor and gun fitter at a wellknown shooting school in the Cotswolds for just over six years, which was where I learnt the majority of the very little that I know today!

I then went freelance for a few years, spending around a hundred days a season on peg with clients up and down the country, which was an amazing ex-

perience, seeing all these different estates and meeting lots of new people.

Then I saw that Huw had advertised for a gun room manager of a brand new shop which was still under construction…

When your passions in life are guns, shooting and teaching, the opportunity to help set up a brand new gun room—and working with a cool bunch of people—sounded too good an opportunity to pass by, so I applied. Somehow I got the job and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

What are your key brands? Do you have any specific brand partnerships?

Our key brands would be Beretta, Benelli, Caesar Guerini, Perazzi, Longthorne and Blaser.

What would you say has been the most successful product (or area) for you in the past year?

One of our most successful products would be our Caesar Guerini Invictus 1 Ltd, which is an exclusive to Barbury Gun Room.

What would you say was the demographic of your customers? Is there anything that makes it different from other gun shops?

It’s one of the best things about the Barbury Gun Room: the demographic of our customers is as widespread as you will ever see.

What was your best day ever?

In gun room terms I’m guessing, probably day 1 of the shop opening. It was a funny time with Covid and all that went with that, but actually serving people for the first time was surreal.

Who’s your best customer?

We don’t have favourites. We have serial gun changers, which is handy, but the best customer is always the one that has put their trust in us to help them find their next gun.

What do you anticipate will be the biggest trends for the next year?

That’s a tricky one… The exploration into steel shot

certainly seems to be the most talked about thing at the moment.

When you order stock, what’s the first thing you put down?

The Silver Pigeon 1 Sporter is a staple.

Any other interesting facts about the business?

We have a full bore rifle range in the pipeline, the shooting ground changes its targets every Monday, and the cafe cooks up a hearty full English.

What for you is the best thing about working in a gun shop?

No two days are the same and we meet some pretty cool people.

Are people surprised when you tell them you run a gun shop?

The one eyebrow lift they give when you say what you do will never get old. GTN

“ The best customer is always the one that has put their trust in us to help them find their new gun ”

Craig has been the face of Barbury Gun Room since it opened in 2020

PUMP ACTION SHOTGUNS

LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD

Mat Manning catches up with key figures from the airgun industry to hear about how they fared in 2022 and to find out what they expect to happen in 2023

AS years go, 2022 was certainly an eventful one for anyone in the gun trade. War, political and economic turmoil, soaring gas and electricity prices, postal strikes, incessant talk of a looming lead ban and the lingering impact of the Covid pandemic combined to create a seemingly endless set of hurdles. Somehow, however, the airgun industry managed to weather the storm, and most businesses actually appear to have done surprisingly well, all things considered.

Eric Irish of the Crackshot Airgun Centre in Newton Abbot, which has a retail outlet and shooting ranges, said: “Most of the year was quite good—and October was really good—but things have slowed down a bit over the past two months. News reporting has got a lot to answer for. People are constantly being told they have no money. Tell them often enough and they will start to believe it and stop spending.

Picking up

“We expect things to pick up again at the start of the year. We sell of lot of gift cards. People tend to come in with them and then top up with their own money to buy what they want.

“What we really need, though, is more stability and optimism. People get fed up with feeling miserable, and I do expect things will change in the spring when the days get longer and the weather gets warmer.

“One airgun that has done very well for us this past year is the BRK (Brocock) Ghost. We can’t get them in fast enough. They seem to be exceptionally reliable and shooters really like them.”

Picking up on the success of the Ghost bullpup PCP, which was only launched in October, Tony Belas of BRK (Brocock) said: “It has just been tremendous. It seems to be exactly what people want. It has all the features of the Daystate Delta Wolf and Alpha Wolf but without the electronics, and that appeals to

people who want to keep things simple and don’t fancy the hassle of having to charge a battery. It is also very robust and super-accurate, right through all its power levels.”

Commenting on trade in general throughout 2022, Mr Belas, who represents BRK (Brocock), Daystate and MTC Optics, added: “It has been quite a good year, although it has also been very disjointed. Trading patterns have been unpredictable but, fortunately, we have products that people want.

“We have done better than expected, but the prices of parts, gas and electricity are hammering the in-

“I think the so-called cost of living crisis has been the biggest problem. People are seeing their bills increasing but they aren’t getting more pay. We are seeing a lot more people selling used airguns, which is a sign of people needing extra money.

“There was some seasonal improvement in the lead-up to Christmas, but it was mostly in the gifting area. That means more accessories than guns, so sales were more like £50 than £500. However, the trade pattern usually sees gun sales going down close to Christmas. The first weeks of the new year then tend to see a spike in sales.

“That said, 2022 has been a good year, though not as good as previous years, when people seemed to go mad for airguns during lockdown. I was worried about the very cold snap before Christmas but it didn’t really make a difference. People can be reluctant to go outside when the weather is really cold but I think we kept things moving by having lots of different offers on the sales pages of our website.

“There are a few things that could make life easier in 2023. Selling accessories has been a nightmare during the Royal Mail strikes. We moved over to UPS, but that means an extra £1.50 per parcel and it all adds up.”

Loyal following

Chris Roberts of CDR Guns reported a pleasing year of trading through 2022. The business is a distributor for AirMaks pre-charged airguns, which have won a loyal following among British shooters over the past 12 months.

dustry. However, the way it is being reported doesn’t help. A lot of people are still earning a good wage but they may be reluctant to spend money on their hobby when the media is constantly telling them that times are tough. The market is also being disrupted by talk of a lead ban. We really need clarity on if and when it is happening. Whatever the outcome, it isn’t going to happen quickly.”

A year of two halves

Mike Hurney of the Shooting Party, which has retail and wholesale divisions, echoed Mr Irish and Mr Belas’s comments about 2022’s trade pattern being disjointed and unpredictable.

“It has been very much a year of two halves. We were up by around 40% right across the board during the first half, but there has been a marked downturn since the end of June,” he said.

“On the positive side, our Adras bipods have done really well. We sell literally thousands of them every year, which I never expected. The Picatinny version is by far the most popular, which must be down to people buying more tactical-type airguns.

“As for next year, we need more certainty. People hate uncertainty and it always makes them sit on their hands. The lead issue has to be resolved, and hopefully we won’t see any more prime ministers over the next six months.”

Mark Watts of Just Airguns said the business had enjoyed a good year’s trading but also felt that people’s buying habits were being affected by the mainstream media’s reporting on the rising cost of living.

“The media needs to stop going on about how hard things are or might be, because it is making people cut back on spending without really thinking about why they are doing it,” he said.

“It has been a very good year for us. Growth has been better than we anticipated and we received a really warm welcome at all the shows we attended. I think a lot of that is down to having a quality product that is a bit different from what everyone else has,” he explained.

“There has been a noticeable element of caution in people’s buying habits but I think that is more likely to affect products at the bargain end of the market. The fact is that people who are wondering about how they are going to pay their electricity bill probably weren’t going to be thinking about buying an airgun that costs £1,000-plus.

“Looking forward to 2023, I think it is going to be a good year. We have a few exciting things in the pipeline but I can’t say anything about them yet. Most of all, though, I am looking forward to being at the shows, starting with the British Shooting Show in February.” GTN GTN

“ A lot of people are still earning a good wage but they may be reluctant to spend money ”

The BRK Ghost has been selling well at the Crackshot Airgun Centre

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TAKING A RISK

Our auctions correspondent Diggory Hadoke breaks his own rules by buying a gun unseen, with unlucky consequences

DECEMBER rocked our world, with remarkable results from Holts that bucked many of the trends of the last few years. Gavin Gardiner held a similarly successful sale on 14 December. He got a creditable £11,000 for a Horsley hammer ejector, showing that demand is still high for these rare items though perhaps not what it once was. Bonhams sold a Boss hammer ejector for more than £27,000 in 2014.

But we can see that if prices drop far enough, buyers will come. If the pound drops far enough, overseas buyers (especially Americans) will swarm into the space and get active. Auctions remain popular for both buyers and sellers, though they are a tough place for the trade to operate as buyers, given the auctioneer’s fees and the presence of the end-user buyer at every major auction these days.

Not that this is a problem for the auction houses. Their remit is to sell. And it matters not to whom they sell. Indeed, if they can hit retail customers rather than trade buyers, they will return more to their consignors. The risk is on the buyer, and buyers are, apparently, increasingly prepared to take that risk.

Talking of risk, I broke one of my own rules in December. I always warn people against buying anything from an auction they have not actually seen, inspected, or had appraised by someone independent and with the necessary expertise. Having missed the viewing, I made a call and bought, sight unseen, an unsold Boss hammer pigeon gun for the relatively modest sum of £1,000, all in.

The staff told me the barrels were dented and pitted but thick, and they had not been reproofed or, apparently, lapped. I took a punt. Boss hammer pigeon guns are very rare and if this one proved restorable, it would be a very desirable thing.

I picked up the gun in person, having paid for it by phone. It was immediately apparent that the barrels were awful, but too late to cry about it. I took it to my barrel maker to see what could be done. We have rescued some bad looking barrels in the past, so I had my fingers crossed.

As an aside, it was also apparent that the gun had been re-stocked a long time ago (not badly, but not to Boss standards). Had I inspected it prior to the sale, I would have been aware of both these issues.

Unfortunately, if unsurprisingly, the news on the barrels was bad. The pits were so deep that knocking dents out just made them sink into the pits and get worse. With the deeper pits reducing the wall thickness to 17 thou’, there was no hope. It cost three hours of work to be sure, but the barrels were scrap.

In proof

Now, this does raise a question about how auction houses determine what is in proof and what is not. They seem to stick largely to bore dimensions. If the bore is not so enlarged that it makes it to the next proof size, the gun is sold as a ‘gun’. If it steps over the margin (usually 10 thou’ over last proof size), it is sold as a ‘stock action and forend only’. The barrels are cut so as to be useless, unless sleeved.

Two similar London guns sold last year exemplify this nicely. The one described earlier was sold as ‘in proof’, despite being horribly dented, pitted and rusty inside. Another London hammer gun, by the same maker, sold earlier in 2022 as a ‘stock, action and forend’, despite the fact that the barrels were clean, thick and in good order, apart from being wider in the bore than the proof law says is allowed. Of the two, the latter was in by far the most serviceable condition.

I raised the subject with a friend who works at a major auction house, and he said that, while the bore dimensions act as a ‘clear line in the sand’ regarding proof status, his approach is more holistic, and if a gun is clearly dangerous, but technically ‘in proof’, he will enter it as a ‘stock action and forend only’ or make its unsuitability for use explicit in the description (e.g. ‘barrels severely pitted and badly dented’). Many do, as a matter of course, also refer to barrelwall thickness in descriptions—‘barrels below recommended minimum’ or ‘left barrel at 17 thou’’, etc.

Price estimate should be taken into consideration as an indication of condition too. If, for example, a 1930 Purdey is estimated at £100-£200, no reasonable buyer can truly expect it to be serviceable. The Proof House booklet guiding the trade in assessing proof does mention that proof status is not strictly restricted to measurements alone, but it is not detailed or explicit beyond that point. In my case I could have raised the issue with the auctioneers, but I realise that it was my mistake, and I determined to take it on the chin as a reminder that the caution I have exercised

A Webley Junior from circa 1955 to appear in Holts’ March sale with an estimate of £80-120

to date is wise council. This was my error at the end of the day, not a case of malpractice by the auction house in any way.

In the trade, we do want every opportunity to buy guns in poor condition and restore them, so we are amenable to looser interpretations of what is ‘in proof’ and what isn’t. Yet that must be weighed against the protection of the public, the factor which dwells at the very heart of the Proof Act.

Looking forward to 2023

Moving on… As we look to 2023, Holts are already building their online catalogue and hoping to replicate the fantastic results they achieved in December, when 86% of the main sale lots sold on the day. That figure rose to over 90% with post-sale deals added. The huge sealed bids auction disposed of over 60% of lots offered and, as always, offered a lot of options to those on lower budgets with the time and energy to hunt out bargains and projects.

Gavin Gardiner has also announced a sale on 26 April 2023 and begins his valuation days with one in Harrogate on 1 February.

Bonhams, whose very successful November sale still lingers in the memory, have yet to announce their first auction of 2023 but expect it mid-summer, with consignments being taken now. GTN GTN

“ I would take it on the chin as a reminder that the caution I have exercised to date is wise council ”

The badly pitted Boss that Diggory accepts he should have exercised more caution buying

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GIVE ‘EM A GOOD SHOW!

Stuart Farr tears himself away from the festive celebrations to calmly consider the challenges facing us in the year ahead

WHILE Christmas came and went seemingly in a blink of an eye, at one stage during the festivities my (half) attention was diverted away from the Christmas special of Death in Paradise by a quiet utterance from our nine-year-old sitting beside the table across the room.

From there, over a five- or six-hour period, a large, disorganised and multi-coloured pile of Lego had been diligently transformed into a rather impressive mock theatre—complete with stage settings, actors, curtains and lights. Half listening, the young creator had clearly started to whip up her own imagination. She softly declared (to herself): “Aiden Turner has been murdered!”. “Let’s hide the body in the downstairs loo, where no-one will find it… For now!”.

A small downstairs door within the theatre’s lower structure was then opened with delicate fingers to reveal a dinky room containing a half-inch toilet. Into the room she placed the rigid plastic carcass of the said Turner’s Lego avatar. The door was closed and the original Lego theatre production resumed, presumably it being intended to continue the performance until another member of the plastic cast was coaxed into ‘discovering’ the miniature body of poor Turner within the water closet. At that point I guessed the whole theatre site would be declared a crime scene and interviews with all the plastic suspects would commence.

It was interesting to see how the two forms of entertainment (the TV Christmas murder plot and the Lego play acting) interacted with each other and, to some extent, even became assimilated. The TV plot had become a useful part of a new game within the home. Fascinating.

As adults, we will have seen this type of interplay in reality—within more complex scenarios—lots of times before. As a member of the EU, we had become very accustomed to seeing the EU’s plots and themes being debated, rehearsed and implemented by the big EU institutions, but often in such a way that they lacked any obvious direct relevance to our lives in the UK.

Eventually, however, those EU plots or actions would emerge within our own national discussions. In many cases, those seemingly remote legal principles, which had emanated from deep within the EU structures, became a part of our own national legal framework—duly assimilated into our daily lives and routines.

As we left the EU, we perhaps imagined that Brexit would cause this phenomenon of assimilation between the two entities to cease immediately. It was wildly believed (and campaigned!) that we would have control over our own national issues and concerns, and that, importantly, we would gain the freedom to pursue our own ventures to create a new identity for ourselves. Not so. At least, not entirely. And certainly not yet.

In legal terms, 2023 is going to be another active year. However, the EU ‘situation’ is going to be especially significant for many of us, despite Brexit.

As we all know, Brexit left us with quite a lot of loose ends to deal with. From a legal perspective, in particular, there simply wasn’t the time (or perhaps even the political will) to completely unravel our nation’s legal framework from that of the EU. It was far too complicated, and, besides, we couldn’t be sure which bits we wanted to jettison and which we wished to retain. And then the pandemic happened, and everything else was placed on hold. So, for the past few years, we’ve continued to adopt and en-

force EU laws if only to provide some much-needed stability and certainty for ourselves and to ensure we do not descend into chaos.

Brexit Freedoms Bill

To address some of these outstanding issues the Brexit Freedoms Bill has already been introduced and is therefore likely to progress into law this year. The aim is that all retained EU law will become ‘sunset’ on 31 December 2023. In other words, after that date, it is intended we shall have the freedom

in what we are doing. If growth is what we need, then I suspect this important step cannot come too soon. However, until the end of 2023, you might expect that tough times will continue in various forms.

During 2023 it will largely be EU ‘business as usual’. And, as we know, the EU institutions are rarely idle when it comes to finding something to regulate over. The hot topics this year, before the sunset provisions take effect, are likely to be concerned with product safety, product liability and increasing consumer power.

especially relevant if the transition to lead-free is going to require a number of trade members to look into making fresh investments into production line equipment or even the wholesale re-design of key components. If you are thinking of making investments in these types of technologies, then be prepared to check their compliance and be mindful that goods which you may be selling into the EU may eventually carry additional responsibilities in terms of safety.

The year 2023 may continue to present us with many of the hangovers from 2022 but there are still opportunities for growth. Let’s put on a good show and not (as did Aiden’s avatar) wind up dead in the water closet. GTN

to create our own tailor-made laws and regulations without the obligation to implement EU legislation.

That is not to say that EU laws already within our legal system would simply cease to exist. On the contrary. That would only lead to the chaos we strived to avoid in the first place. As a nation, we shall have the right to decide which laws to ditch and which ones to keep. That right to choose will, in the longer term, make all the difference.

This is perhaps the most important point in the entire Brexit process, because our journey toward becoming an important and independent participant on the world stage will begin in earnest. We should be able to shave off some levels of bureaucracy in order to save money; we should be capable of exploring trade agreements with a vastly improved vigour; and we shall have the right to implement laws which will encourage other countries to trade with us and invest

If you regularly trade within or across the EU, then look out for the General Product Safety Regulation. European e-commerce is now worth around €7 billion every year, and so these regulations are aimed at generating greater responsibility for online marketplaces to tackle the sale of dangerous products. They also strengthen product recall procedures in the EU. If a recall is necessary, online marketplaces will be required to inform customers in a way which does not downplay the risks. Affected customers must be offered at least two remedies if a recall occurs: repair, replacement or refund.

Safety standards

Similar legal measures designed to drive up safety standards will emerge from the EU in relation to production machinery, batteries and the use of artificial intelligence within technology. This may be

Stuart’s nine-year-old has something to teach us about where to hide the bodies

“

As a nation, we shall have the right to decide which laws to ditch and which ones to keep ”

NORTHUMBERLAND SPORTING GAME

Taking a break from stalking, Al Gabriel goes to meet the shoot where everything from the ground up has been designed with sustainability in mind

WE live in a time where fieldsports and shooting are under extreme scrutiny. It is crucial that commercial shoots continuously review their business models and assess their green credentials, particularly, when it comes to finding an effective outlet for game.

I was recently invited to visit a small commercial shoot in the village of Bellingham in Northumberland. Northumberland Sporting Game (NSG) is a new generation of sustainable green shoot. NSG runs the shoot on an organic livestock farm, spread over ten thousand acres in one of the most picturesque parts of the country. Game shot on site is collected and sold locally through a local game dealer called Ridley’s Fish and Game. This partnership has helped to develop the business and establish a stable supply chain.

Feathers from the birds and spent cartridges are used by a local business, Spent Shells. They create home decor and fashion accessories with Northern charm. Spent Shells products are available to purchase in the game room on game days; it adds something special to the day. Game from the shoot also forms a large part of the food served to feed Guns at elevenses and lunches. It is a brilliant way to find market for game, and with their previous experience in the meat industry, they are able to whip up amazing meals from game. I may have consumed more than my fair share at elevenses on my visit.

I spoke with Colin Anderson, who is the owner of the business, along with his wife Michelle and their daughter Tracy. The family used to run a meat business. After the pandemic, they decided to focus on developing the shoot with more green credentials and minimum waste. Although it is a small shoot, they have managed to create a business model akin to a circular economy. It is self-sufficient and less impacted by external factors. An example would be their latest investments in egg incubators. Colin hopes that in the next couple of years they should be able to rear their own birds from eggs and even supply other shoots. Such an approach allows them to employ best practices from the start, all the way to game on a plate.

The Andersons are supported by Megan Borthwick and John Hedley Robson. John is the Head Keeper of the shoot at NSG and has been a gamekeeper for many years as well as being a chef. He cooks for Ridley’s, too, while Megan describes herself as a ‘jill of all trades’; she does a lot of dogging in, running a team of dogs that help with beating or picking up, and also helps Colin and Tracy with the hospitality. She also has a key PR role at the shoot, helping to spread the message, and she took the lovely photos we’ve used here.

Post-Covid

Shooting businesses are finding it very hard to adapt in a post-Covid world, with increased cost of living, supply disruptions and now avian influenza. As if that wasn’t hard enough, we still have major challenges in marketing game effectively. Numerous attempts at remedying this issue have had limited success; some have been downright failures. Game is nutritious and a healthy source of protein. You

would be forgiven for assuming that it should be easy to market. Granted, there has been more game on supermarket shelves and television programmes, but it still remains niche.

From an industry perspective, game can never be as cheap as farmed meat. Collecting, storing and processing game is labour intensive, which the consumer must pay for. Game also has a higher rate of wastage because of shooting, and the system is not mechanised like a meat processing facility. The simple fact that shot game has different sizes than a near identical broiler chicken has significant impact. The margins are thin and technical challenges remain.

With the popularity of shooting, more and more birds are being released into the British countryside. While the jury is out on the impact of such birds on

the environment, what is important is that every bit of game shot must find its way onto dinner plates whenever possible. The future of shooting depends on us being responsible custodians of the countryside, where harvested game is utilised appropriately.

The transition from lead to non-toxic shot would significantly aid in promoting game as healthy and as a superior source of protein. The shooting industry faces major challenges, not just from legislation but also from the eating habits of the general public. I don’t believe the use of steel is enough to get game on supermarket shelves. I think a lot more needs to be done in a coordinated manner across all four nations. Coordinated effort must serve all nations and not just the south of England. Local markets are the key to finding outlet for game and to reducing car-

bon footprint to near zero. If all shoots can manage to organise local supply chains that avoid shipping game long distances, I think we’re onto a winner.

Small shoots

There is more to be said about small shoots. They are more than just businesses; they are part of communities, vessels that hold communities together. For many people, small shoots provide significant benefit mentally and for their overall wellbeing. The value of small shoots such as NSG is as the bedrock for introducing youngsters to shooting and a supplementary source of income for beaters. NSG also puts on special days for ladies with an all ladies beating team, which is excellent for improving diversity in fieldsports. These youngsters are the future of shooting and consumers of many shooting businesses. The gains are immense.

We are at a critical time where we must consider the impact of our actions on the environment. The issue is not commercial vs. small shoots, but rather ensuring best practice is followed and the impact on the environment remains net positive. If there is anything we have learnt from the current pandemic, it is that an interruption in supply chains is disastrous for small shoots. It is critical to be self-sustaining, with the environment at the heart of any business model.

Personally, I am in favour of small local shoots. They are more capable of placing game into local chains or disseminating birds to beaters, pickers and Guns, which creates a greener and more sustainable model far superior than hyper-commercial shoots. While large commercial shoots are major employers and do contribute to large areas of net gain, the business model is challenging. The release of significant numbers of birds must be accompanied by a market that is able utilise it. An increase in the release of birds without matched market share is in my opinion dangerous to the future of shooting. GTN GTN

“ The shooting industry faces major challenges, not just from legislation but also from eating habits ”

NSG runs as a sustainable green shoot run on an organic livestock farm

Images by Megan Borthwick

BEST BUYS

BSA R-12 CLX Bolt Action

BSA Guns have given their flagship R-12 CLX a bolt-action twist, and Mat Manning reckons it’s a

There is something very reassuring about owning a BSA airgun. Apart from being solidly constructed and very accurate, this British gunmaker’s air rifles have a pedigree which spans more than 160 years. And BSA airguns aren’t just built for function – they also happen to be very kind on the eye, usually featuring traditional styling with a contemporary twist. Indeed, my mate who helps me to photograph review guns always thanks me for making his job easier when I slip a BSA from the gun case.

BSA Guns recently updated their flagship PCP with the launch of the R-12 CLX Pro, a model which Mark Camoccio reviewed in detail in the last two issues of Air Gunner. This airgun boasts a raft of new features, including a slick sidelever cocking and loading mechanism. Hot on its heels follows the subject of this review: the R-12 CLX Bolt Action. It shares many of the features of the Pro but, as the name suggests, it is bolt-action, and with prices starting at £1,080, also costs a bit less.

The bolt-action variant of the R-12 CLX prompted a sharp intake of breath when I first lifted the lid on its box. This airgun is a real looker, and whilst it maintains the classic lines of the R-10, there are subtle differences. Apart from being fun, this airgun is also very accurate. Its excellent barrel, consistent power output and very predictable trigger make for really precise shooting, which is further enhanced by the control provided by its cleverly designed stock and good balance. Shooting from a bench in almost

windless conditions, the R-12 was practically landing pellet on pellet at 30m, and still printing tiny groups that could be covered by a 5p piece at 40m.

The R-12 CLX Bolt Action is also a very handsome airgun. Looks may not be the be all and end

Miroku MK70 Grade 5

Miroku admirer Jonny Carter finds this attractive

Over our short reviewing relationship we shot a bit of sporting, a bit of skeet and a few pigeons. For pigeon shooting, my biggest takeaway was how little energy this gun takes to shoot. By modern standards it is rather light. It soaked up recoil from a 32gm load like a gun 1lb heavier. Luckily, it is only 7lb 9oz, and so you can

stand there at the ready for plenty of time without your arms falling off. I didn’t hit them all, but I was happy with how the gun performed on a cold and windy December evening.

Skeet is where this gun felt most at home for me, really showing off its instinctive nature. My MK38 was set up to have only a portion of what this gun

all, but this Birmingham-made air rifle’s enviable aesthetics really set it apart from the tactical crowd, and will certainly bring an added element of satisfaction for those lucky enough to own this excellent new BSA.

NEED TO KNOW

offers in this area. Getting into a stand, calling pull and letting the gun top through a few rounds of skeet had me leaving with a 23/25 and 24/25. It was easy to turn my brain off and trust my gut with this gun.

When it came to sporting, it was perfectly capable and adequate. It didn’t set my heart on fire, but it moved well and broke clays. I found its ability to

be repeatedly moved through the same lines not quite as good as its big, clay-smashing brother, the MK38, but as previously discussed this is a ‘do-all gun’ not a ‘clay gun’. My only gripe is that the triggers are not as good as many other brands out there, feeling a little spongier and less crisp. That said, they aren’t at all bad and I never felt disadvantaged pulling mine.

Overall, the MK70 was easy to shoot, it’s well built and blends in with guns twice the price.

Price is a big thing with Miroku. The firm always tries to keep its pricing slightly below the competition on a like-for-like model and that feels nice as a buyer. I would recommend this gun to anyone who wants just one over & under, especially someone who favours their game shooting, pest control and occasional local clay pigeon shoot.

NIGHT VISION & THERMAL DEVICES

thE NEW ds35

daY & Night VisioN scoPEs

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IT’S BERETTA THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

Editor Steve Faragher catches up with GMK chief Karl Waktare and finds out how the year has been for the UK’s leading distributor

AS you enter the welcoming reception of GMK’s head offices in Fareham, you see that there are a couple of chairs and a coffee table provided for your comfort. On the table is a slightly tatty copy of the Parliamentary Review from 2020. Casually flicking through it, waiting for your meeting, you realise how much has changed in such a short space of time.

The magazine has a foreword by a bright young star of the Tory Party called Liz Truss. There’s an interview with the speaker, John Bercow, and there’s a confident editorial telling us that a corner has definitely been turned, and that the days of political chaos and churn are firmly behind us. Additionally, and in rather stark contrast, there’s a feature written by the man I’ve come to meet, Karl Waktare, introducing GMK to the body politic.

And you’re struck by how little he would have to change it if he rewrote it for 2023. While politics may have thrown up more surprises than a stuck-on -repeat jack-in-the-box, GMK is the ultra-solid cornerstone of the gun industry in the UK. Backed by Beretta’s unbelievable 497 years of experience in the trade, GMK has a deserved and enviable reputation for being the stand-up guys of the gun trade.

Established in 1971, GMK is the leading UK importer and distributor of shotguns, rifles, ammunition and accessories for sports shooting, as well as supplying firearms, ammunition and accessories to UK law enforcement and the Ministry of Defence. Their brands include Beretta, Benelli, Franchi, and Chapuis shotguns, Sako and Tikka rifles, Stoeger air arms, Burris and Steiner optics, and now rounding off the offering, Federal, CCI and Sako ammo.

Put simply, if you have an account with GMK, you can pretty much fill a high-street sporting store with no other input. They’re a one-stop distributor.

Balance sheet

So how’s their year been? Karl, a trim, well-dressed man in his early fifties, pulls up the figures on his desktop PC. Daily reporting on all accounts means he can answer that question pretty succinctly. “It’s been good,” he says. “Most of the year we’ve been running at around 10% up on the previous year, and now we’re running at about 5% up.”

He goes on to clarify that he hopes that figure will improve again as they’ve just received a large Beretta shipment, and we’re meeting just a few days before Christmas.

“But the truth is that this year we’ve had sales for the end of last—sales that really belonged in 2021— that have been pushed into this year where supply has gradually improved. So as much as it seems a very positive picture, and the first half of the year was very strong, the second half has been much less buoyant. Plus I do think the market has been quieter this autumn.

“In general that’s down to the triple effect of bird flu, steel and licensing—and licensing more than anything. The best person coming into the trade is a new shooter. They need all the kit.

“Steel is as much of an opportunity for the industry as it is an issue, and I think it is coming. Personally I’m not convinced of the harmful effects of lead,

but that doesn’t really matter, does it? No industry stands still. We might think we’re being victimised, but you look at the car industry, or football with its heading injuries. We’re only aware of the steel debate because it’s in our industry, but life is becoming more regulated in every sort of way.”

On target

So those are the issues facing us. But where, I wondered, were the growth sectors? Karl leaned forward in his seat.

“What’s really been strong this year has been rifles. Rifles have been strong again, following a good year in 2021. And that’s been across the board, But you know, Tikka has benefited from good supply. I don’t really know if our competitors have been starved of supply. Certainly, I think anything from America has probably been hard to get. So whether we’re seeing a benefit from that I can’t really say.

“All I can say is that Tikka rifles are a great product in this country. Of course, they’re not for every store—quite a few only have a token presence.

Why? Because you’ve got to have the optics, you’ve got to have the moderators, you’ve got to have the ammunition, and you’ve often got to add reloading. You’ve got to have the whole thing. It’s not something you dabble in really. That said, the big shops will have a presence and they will buy in, so stock holding is really important as well.”

What else has been doing well, I asked?

“The clay season has been strong for us, we’ve sold a lot of 694s and DT11s. The Silver Pigeon V has gone down well too. And premium shotguns have been quite healthy as well, although we have had indifferent supply. But I think it’s perhaps the only recession-proof sector of our industry—that top end. I think those guys are always going to have the money. When I say premium, I’m talking £10,000 and up, but you know, even your sub £10,000 people aren’t moving up quite as readily into those categories. That relies on confidence.

“I’m talking about the guy who has a £4,000 gun and is thinking of moving up to £7,000—his dream gun. I don’t think all those customers are wealthy guys. I think some of them are relatively ordinary Joes—you know, self-employed guys whose business is good. And when they’re not facing other bills, they might stretch on out to the gun of their dreams sort of thing. And that will be it.”

Best guns

Talking of premium shotguns, I wondered how Holland & Holland were getting on under their new management.

“I’m not really the person to talk to about Hollands, but it’s been a lot of work behind the scenes to modernise the factory and to invest in the catering facilities—the ground facilities—particularly with relation to food, because there’s a new dining room now under the main events room that has been completely redone.

“So it’s a period of evolution really. It’s a challenging part of the business. Best gunmaking is very reliant on labour and it’s very difficult to immediately streamline or remove that human element. But as I have said, there is always going to be a market for best guns.”

Okay, so time for one last line of enquiry. How go things with Beretta International? It’s been quite a year.

“The group has had a fantastic year. The US is by far the biggest market for Beretta, Benelli, Sako and Tikka. And following on from the purchase of Ammotec earlier in the year it has been decided to build a new ammo manufacturing facility in the US.

“The Ammotec purchase has had them flat out with the integration. There were many subsidiaries in many countries that all needed to be integrated, so that gave them lots of legal hurdles to work through—not to mention the three or four plants spread across Europe.

“But the US is the biggest ammunition market in the world, and my guess is that, in the end, transport in ammunition is very expensive and very cumbersome. So probably exporting to the US is not going to be viable in a competitive market. So manufacturing there, that makes perfect sense.” GTN GTN

“ Steel is as much of an opportunity for the industry as it is an issue, and I think it is coming ”

GMK have sold a lot of Silver Pigeon Vs, as well as 694s and DT11s

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THE GREAT BRITISH SHOOTING AWARDS

The annual shooting awards ceremony takes place at the British Shooting Show, and while it’s too late to register your vote, it’s never too late to see if you agree with the selections for 2022

Optics product of the year (over £1,000)

First, the awards celebrate the top-end optical products that run on traditional glass—be it a riflescope, binoculars, rangefinder or spotter. All countries of origin are considered.

• Leica Geovid 8x32 Pro

• Pulsar Merger LRF XP 50

• Steiner Ranger 8 Scope

• Swarovski Optik Spotting Scope: ATC/STC

• Hawke Frontier 34 FFP Riflescope

Optics product of the year (under £1,000)

The very best of budget optics that really do the job and don’t break the bank. Once again, all optics that run on traditional glass are welcomed, as long as they don’t break the £1,000 mark.

• Bushnell Fusion X Rangefinding binoculars

• Blaser RD20

• Element Helix

• GPO Spectra 4-16x50i Scope

• Hawke Sidewinder 30 SF

Night vision product of the year (over £1,500)

A focus on the top-end night vision products, including image intensifiers, digital and thermals. Which product has really innovated and pushed the boundaries the most?

• Zeiss DTC 3

• Guide TD210 Thermal Monocular

• Pard SA62 Plus 45mm LRF

• Pulsar Merger LRF XP50

• HIKMICRO Falcon Pro (FQ50)

Night vision product of the year (under £1,500)

Looking at those night vision products that deliver the best bang for your buck. Once again, all image intensifiers, digital and thermals welcome, as long as they’re below £1,500.

• Sightmark Wraith 4K

• Pard NV008S LRF

• Guide TrackIR 35mm

• ATN X-Sight 4K Pro

• Hikmicro Alpex Day & Night Scope

Rifle ammunition of the year

This category is for metallic rounds that are used in hunting, competition or training. The awards are about brands, models and calibres that have really performed.

• Sako Powerhead Blade 308 162gr lead-free

• Hornady CX

• Winchester Extreme Point Copper Impact

• Sellier & Bellot Exergy Blue (non-toxic)

• Hornady Precision Hunter 30-06

Shotgun ammunition of the year

In the second ammunition category the awards celebrate all manner of shotgun shells, from clay cartridges and pigeon loads to driven game and grouse. If it’s used and loved by the shooting public, it deserves to be nominated.

• Gamebore Regal Game 12G

• Gamebore Dark Storm Precision Steel with bio-wad

• Hull High Pheasant Extreme Hydrowad

• BioAmmo Blue

• Zenith Pro Eco Wad

Market Opportunities: GBSA

Shooting apparel of the year

From technical to tweed, suits to socks—clothing and footwear designed specifically for the shooting market. All types of shooting—stalking, game, clay or target—and all price points considered.

• Shooterking Greenland Jacket 2.0

• Alan Paine Axford Men’s Field Coat

• Sasta Mehto WS Camo Jacket

• Brandecosse Stambecco Boots

• Schöffel Ptarmigan Tweed Classic Coat

Airgun of the year

Celebrating the variety in the airgun market—rifles and pistols; PCPs, springers, gas-rams and CO2; hunting guns, plinkers, 10-metre and FT. But which airgun has had the most success with its target market?

• Stoeger Bullpup

• Rainson Edge-X

• RAW HMX1000

• Niksan Ozark

• Air Arms S510T Tactical

Rifle of the year

From .22LR up, the awards want the live-firing rifle that’s dominated the market for its intended use, whether that’s stalking, foxing or longrange targets. All price points eligible but it’s factory rifles only.

• Beretta BRX1

• CZ 457 LRP II .22LR

• Tikka .243 T3X Super Varmint

• Howa 1500

• Fierce CT Rage

Shotgun of the year

Over & under, side-by-side or semi-auto—the awards panel are looking for the shotgun that’s had the most success in its market, whether that’s winning international medals or attracting newcomers to shooting. Game and clay guns are eligible, in any bore. Again, factory guns only, but all price points are considered.

• Beretta Silver Pigeon 5

• Caesar Guerini Invictus V Ascent

• Browning B525 Exquisite 12M

• Yildiz SPZ ME

• EJ Churchill Crown side-by-side

Innovative product of the year

A category which rewards innovative products in the shooting market. Ammunition, apparel, optics, firearms, accessories, and products not covered in any other category are eligible—as long as they have really caused a stir. The awards panel are looking for products that are set to play a big part in the future of field sports.

• Zeiss LRP S5

• HQS Hunter Suppressor

• Spypoint Flex Camera

• Sellier & Bellot Special Slug Sport

• Blaser Carbon Shooting Stick V2

DEEP AND CRISP AND EVEN

Has fieldsports finally started to wrest control of the BBC’s festive schedule from its self-imposed guardians? Don’t mention ‘Chris Packham’, or ‘Aunty’ Caroline Roddis might have one of her turns

I’M going to be writing about Boxing Day in this month’s column. I’m saying this up front so that if you’re triggered by the topic you can leave now. I know the festive period was undoubtedly stressful for some of you and the last thing I want is for you to get upset, have to call your therapist and then write a turgid book that dominates the headlines for what seems like an eternity.

Joking aside, I wouldn’t blame our fieldsports cousins—you know, the weird ones that like hurtling across the countryside on horseback armed with nothing more than a bellyful of whisky and a quick prayer—for being triggered by the thought of the festive season, given the nightmare some of them faced trying to ensure Boxing Day meets could go ahead. I’m sure you all join me in being awed at their determination to carry on in the face of mass stupidity. Chapeau, chaps.

Anyway, you’ve had your disclaimer, so let’s push on. Boxing Day’s always been a cosy spot of loveliness in the shooting calendar (not least for the sheer the joy of being forced to stand a sizeable distance from your relatives for most of a day) and 2022’s Boxing Day had an extra dash of happiness thanks to Lord Botham being put in charge of the Today programme.

If you’re not familiar with the circumstances surrounding Botham’s elevation to this particular position, I will leave you in the capable hands of the Guardian’s weekly radio review round-up:

“Another Radio 4 stalwart: today’s twixt-week guest editors, a tradition that started 19 years ago. This year’s week started tamely enough, with Lord Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham in charge on Boxing Day. He got his old cricket compadre David Gower to investigate how test match cricket and the one day versions can best work together. Overall, Botham’s Today was… OK: a ragbag, covering cricket, small charities, grouse shooting, advances in leukaemia cures. Like passing the time with a golf club bore.”

While I have to confess to fast-forwarding through some of the cricket chat, making for a slightly disconcerting experience every time I resumed play and encountered random chummy phrases like “I’ve always been in thrall to Beefy” from David Gower, this does feel like unfair commentary—not least because the point of the Today programme has always been to cover a range of topical issues.

Yet no matter whether it’s deserved or not, the reviewer’s boredom with Botham is utterly fascinating. Given the media’s standard treatment of any mention of grouse shooting, the fact that a Guardian journalist shrugs off its appearance on a flagship

Mark Avery was, too. As the Telegraph, which ran an article reporting on the programme and in particular Botham’s assertion that “if I saw someone shooting a raptor I’d be the first to grab them and turn them over to the police… we have to police our own moors and the moors around us”, reported: “The piece was met with criticism from some conservationists, including Mark Avery, who co-founded campaign group Wild Justice alongside television naturalist Chris Packham. Mr Avery dismissed the segment as a “puff piece for grouse shooting”.

I’m not sure whether the phrase ‘some conservationists’ was written because many conservationists

was hardly a misty-eyed panegyric designed to lull the listener into thinking only of beautiful vistas and strapping, ruddy-cheeked gamekeepers. In any case that’s what Woman’s Hour is for, right?

Whizzing grouse

During the segment, the reporter, who is clearly delighted by the landscape, the grouse whizzing past and the hare prints in the snow, questions Bailey on points put forward by shooting’s opponents. It’s not quite Question Time—it’s understandably hard to really pin someone down when you’re scampering up a hill like a mountain goat with a dictaphone— but when Bailey mentions that other countries have reinstated prescribed burning due to its benefits, the reporter instantly challenges him to name some. Not that Bailey was in need of a free pass, as he responds by rattling off a long list.

BBC programme, of all places, is, in its own way, quite magical. It’s not quite a Christmas miracle— I’ll save that for when Packham is forced to make a public apology—but it’s a pretty good stocking filler.

Enormous impact

As our friend Packham is well aware, the BBC retains enormous impact despite ever-increasing competition. The Today programme has roughly 5.9 million listeners on average, meaning that even just the ten or so minutes devoted to grouse shooting across the programme’s three hours was hugely significant. And, while a swathe of the programme’s normal listeners was undoubtedly enjoying a gluttony-induced snooze during its Boxing Day broadcast, judging by the positive comments from the countryside community on social media, quite a few people were definitely still listening.

complained or because Mark Avery is comfortably the size of several smaller conservationists put together, but nevertheless, his comment comes across more as a churlish gripe than as robust criticism. In fairness this may be because the Telegraph journalist cut out the pertinent part of his response, as journalists are wont to do, but as I couldn’t find Avery’s full statement anywhere online I can’t be sure.

In the absence of his analysis, let’s just look at the evidence. Was the piece indeed puffier than my aunt’s shop-bought Christmas vol-au-vents? The first segment, in which Richard Bailey, coordinator for the Peak District Group, takes a reporter round a moor (complete with amusing puffing noises as she staggers uphill… we’ve all been there), was introduced with an overview of the reasons why grouse shooting is controversial, including the particularly hot topics of heather burning and hen harriers. This

At the very end of the Today programme, Botham is interviewed about his choice to include a grouse shooting segment, and his interlocutor, who has the disconcerting habit of pronouncing raptors as ‘rap tours’, challenges him on damage to peat bogs and on raptor persecution in particular. While this does give Botham the opportunity to present the case for moor conservation, stating: “When the grouse moor is just left, it dies, it’s as simple as that,” I don’t think you can fairly apply the term puff piece or claim it’s a wild departure from the programme’s usual standards. And in any case, if my experience is anything to go by, the aim of the Today programme is to get every listener to yell at the radio at least once.

In fact, the biggest departure from the programme’s norm came at the end, when Botham was asked whether he’d changed his mind on his previous comments about the licence fee. Rather than backtrack, Botham stood by his assertion that those over 75 shouldn’t have to pay for the BBC, leaving the interviewer probably wishing he’d stuck to the safer topic of grouse shooting. GTN GTN

“ The ten minutes devoted to grouse shooting across the programme’s three hours was hugely significant ”

Image by Lubos Houska from Pixabay

FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NOTHING

Moderators look like a licensing anomaly,

and removing them from the need for regulation would streamline business. Simon West says now is the time to make an effective case to government

THE first patent for devices designed to lessen the noise of firearms was granted to Jakob Stahel of Switzerland in 1892. His simple design of a cattle killer gun had a sound suppressing chamber between the muzzle and the point of impact that slowed the release of gases to the atmosphere. Presumably this was a pragmatic solution to avoid creating too much alarm amongst the herd as they entered the abattoir.

In the early 1900s, the great Anglo-American inventor Sir Hiram Maxim developed products further by utilising the developments in petrol engine exhaust suppression. He marketed his device as a shooting aid to reduce flinching and improve accuracy as well as reducing disturbance to others. Maxim also suggested that this was a device that would make shooting far more attractive to women.

In the 1930s, the renowned Alfred Parker and his nephew Alfred Hale were manufacturing moderators in UK.

When the Firearms Act of 1920 was being reviewed in 1934 by a committee chaired by Sir Archibald Bodkin, evidence was collected on various ‘new’ technologies. Included in their examination were ‘silencers’.

I recently visited the National Archive in Kew to look at the original minutes. While the committee engaged broadly on most firearms, when they looked at ‘silencers’ they took evidence from only a few ‘experts’. The limited view was that “the silencer is only used for illegitimate purposes”. As a result, they were included in the 1937 Act and therefore requiring controls. Thus, the first time we see the inclusion of them is in the definition of a firearm: “and any accessory to any such weapon designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon”. Still there today.

New demands

During the war, with interesting new demands from the Special Operations Executive, Major Hugh Reeves at Station IX invented the Welrod pistol, and Godfray de Lisle the De Lisle carbine. Both were optimised for their suppression and are examples of guns with very low noise output.

As we know, today’s rifle moderators are efficient, but are far from such silencers. They are useful in reducing the impact of noise on the shooter’s hearing—both at the instant of firing to avoid flinching, but more importantly over the long term to reduce hearing damage. Most of us see them as a health and safety necessity when out hunting.

Furthermore, the reduction in environmental noise reduces the disruptive effects on wildlife and people in the area. Loud rifle noise frightens the public and undermines our reputation.

And what about the 1930s feeling that moderators were only likely to be used for illegitimate reasons. Well, that is clearly not the case. Otherwise, why would we have applied to the police, and they authorised, 198,671 moderators held on firearms certificates? And why are we told by the police that there is no reported use of moderators in crime?

Interestingly, I have brought law enforcement attention to ‘vapour trap /fuel filters’ being sold online,

that are clearly designed as moderators—and if you go to Google, you’ll see what’s on offer. So obviously they’re not concerned.

So, where now?

Through the British Shooting Sports Council, we have raised this matter with the Home Office and the Police. The situation has changed considerably since 1934 and the continued bureaucracy for licensing departments and RFDs to waste time on accounting for these accessories is pointless. At a time when the police are asking for more money, let’s see them look for sensible efficiencies that have no impact on public safety.

Making progress

We are making progress. Chris Philp, the policing minister, has written to us stating: “There is a strong and growing case for legislating to remove them from current firearms licensing controls.”

Great news. There remains a debate, however, about how these might be sold should the law change. They form part of your cashflow and we would not want to see an unregulated, free-for-all, internet-based economy. To provide some protection for the public, perhaps these accessories should only be available to certificate holders and only sold through RFDs. No accounting, no slots, no notification—just a responsible channel where simple checks can be made.

Moderators are not assassins’ silencers. They are accessories to protect shooters and lessen the impact of our sport on the public. A huge amount of time and effort goes into unnecessary accounting where there is no apparent modern-day risk to public safety.

Do give me your thoughts. None of this will be quick but we are moving in the right direction—and in my meetings with officials I will be able to represent your views. GTN GTN

We have brought these adverts to the attention of the police. They are not interested.

“ We would not want to see an unregulated, free-for-all, internetbased economy ”

The Kral Arms Mortal is a series of PCP air rifles that give maximum flexibility in a tactical stock. Features a folding and adjustable stock, adjustable cheek piece and height adjustable butt pad. The ergonomically shaped pistol grip provides a stable and comfortable grip. Both first and second stage of the trigger can be adjusted and there’s even an adjustable trigger blade. The manual safety can be (de)activated with your trigger finger.

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The stock features a removable foregrip rest, along with carrying spaces for 2 magazines (supplied).

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2.– 5.3.2023

NUREMBERG, GERMANY www.iwa.info