Question about visiting London gun makers

[Wheels]

I will be in London next month and will have about a half day to visit London's finest.

My initial plans are to visit:

Holland & Holland

Anderson Wheeler

William Evans

I have been to H&H before but since that time I have heard they have a back room or basement that needs to be seen. Can anyone tell me more about the back room?

I would like to visit James Purdey but understand that they are by appointment only and that is for people that are serious buyers which I am not. Does anyone know if this is correct or if they give tours? I also understand that they make guns in their shop. I would love to be able to see the operation. Does anyone know if this is possible?

Are their any other gun makers I should consider?

Is Anderson Wheeler and William Evans worth going to?

John Rigby is way out of the way and would probably preclude me from seeing the others. Is it worth going there at the expense of missing the others? Especially since they are a new startup that now has the name.

All the best.

 

[spike.t]

what dates are you there?

 

[Wheels]

July 7th will be my only opportunity. After that the family and I will be touring the rest of the island by vehicle.

 

[spike.t]

July 7th will be my only opportunity. After that the family and I will be touring the rest of the island by vehicle.

i head back to zambia that day or i would have come over to london

 

[Wheels]

i head back to zambia that day or i would have come over to london

Spike,

Nice offer, thanks. I presume you know all about the London gun makers. What recommendations can you give?

Have a great trip. Do you keep firearms in Zambia or travel with them?

 

[Code4]

If they are not busy you can usually get in the front door, however it's considered rude to just roll up without an appointment and expect to be shown everything without buying.

I can imagine they must be sick of the tyre kickers. (I was one).

'Service' has a whole different connotation in Europe compared to the USA.

 

[Upton O. Good]

Try to get to Purdey and Sons, nice shop.

 

[spike.t]

Spike,

Nice offer, thanks. I presume you know all about the London gun makers. What recommendations can you give?

Have a great trip. Do you keep firearms in Zambia or travel with them?

i have some in zambia to play with

 

[Wheels]

Try to get to Purdey and Sons, nice shop.

Thanks to all for the information so far.

Regarding Purdey......If you are not in the market for a gun, are they open to showing a person around who just wants to see their operation?

 

[Code4]

Email or write to them and politely ask.

 

[Wheels]

Thanks for the suggestions and pm's. Will let you know what happens.

 

[Mr Free Market]

Anderson Wheeler are well worth a visit - Nicholas the gun room manager is a great guy. If you can, look in on Rigby- from Mayfair it will only take you about 15-20 mins to get there in a taxi

 

[Wheels]

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions.

I have an appointment set up with Rigby. Due to time limitations they will be the only gun maker I will be able to visit.

The other locations will have to wait for another trip

All the best.

 

[bluey]

sounds like an adventure to me , wheels .
hope you have a ball ,mate .

 

[spike.t]

i wonder if temptation might overcome him in Rigbys??? and he sells the family ...........

 

[bluey]

I know my wife, wouldn't let me in there alone .

 

[spike.t]

I know my wife, wouldn't let me in there alone .

yup there would be no fishing boat or retirement plan left!!!! but you would have some nice rifles........

 

[bluey]

hear ye of little faith.......

 

[Wheels]

So I should only carry enough money for the taxi ride back?

Do you think they might take Zim dollars? I have a few hundred trillion of them laying around.

 

[spike.t]

So I should only carry enough money for the taxi ride back?

Do you think they might take Zim dollars? I have a few hundred trillion of them laying around.

you might get a sliver of wood shaved off when mark is shaping a stock............