A Rifle to Palm
Power and accuracy make a rifle lethal. A waist that welcomes your hand makes it useful.
What Does Its Third Century Hold for Purdey?
Although there has been some debate about whether the eponymous gunmaking firm of James Purdey began operations in 1814 or 1816, 1814 is the date chosen by Purdey leadership to mark the firm’s beginnings, making 2014 the bicentennial of J. Purdey & Sons, or more...
Elmer Keith: King of Gun Cranks
One doesn’t have to dig deeply into the career of the “little man with the big Stetson,” Elmer Keith, before realizing that he was a fascinating character in a universe—that of hunting and shooting writers—generously populated by highly unusual individuals. Outdoor...
W. W. Greener’s extraordinary Ornamental Guns
Since its 1985 renaissance, every Greener, whether G gun or sidelock, has been special built with an eye for aesthetics and a perfect understanding of balance and handling.
The 45-70 Isn’t Old Yet!
It arrived 150 years ago in a panic. Hickok and Custer had three years to live. It still gets rave reviews!
The Story of the Sporting Gun
Firearms, of a sort, are supposed to have been used before gunpowder was invented; but the history of sporting guns is not concerned with the prototypes of these early weapons, and they need not be specified. Nor do the early cannon devised for military purposes call...
Holland & Holland’s 700 Nitro Express
In 1985, big game hunter and gun enthusiast, William Feldstein, walked into 33 Bruton St., London with a check in hand to cover the cost of a large gun order. Feldstein wanted Holland & Holland to build him a set of five bespoke large-bore nitro express double...
The 270 Winchester: A Very Fast Ball
The Model T, Coolidge, then Depression defined the 1920s. Winchester added the 270. It alone endures. Night’s chill lies late in Spoon Creek. I slipped into cold wool and left the tent before dawn was a pale smudge. Breath white, I climbed through the timber to a bald...
Little Guns Big Birds
I’ve always had a healthy respect for the .410 as long as it was restricted to small birds at short range.