doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Eric Clapton Double Gun Enthusiast

I've noted elsewhere that Eric Clapton sold off some of his double gun collection through an auction house. The reason given was he has developed a preference for just one type of gun. Does anyone know what his might be?
Jim

All I know is that he was collecting "English Best" guns like crazy.

All I know is that he was collecting "English Best" guns like crazy.

He sold off quite a collection of very desirable guns a few years back, one of the shooting magazines did an article on the sale. Watson bros of redchurch street is a name that i associate with eric clapton for some reason.

http://www.watsonbrosgunmakers.com/

It's Boss & Co

He sold off his collection of guns, which included new Watson Bros., Churchill, Purdey and a few Boss guns (which he had completely rebuilt by them to huge expensive) to fund the orders for a number of new guns.

When asked about why he was doing this he replied 'I have done the same with watches and cars, through years of collecting I eventually settle on one brand that is the best for me'

He is a lucky man to have the money to indulge his passion for fine guns. Personally i would have a far more eclectic collection, if i had his money that is

If our ol' Slowhand like Boss, I wonder who that Springsteen guy of yours (if he likes Guns) would choose ?
franc

Springsteen is anti gun from what has been in the press. Unless some one has other info.

The late John Entwhistle of "The Who" had a gun collection , i don't know what he had though. Roger Daltrey of the same band is into fly fishing in a big way , i don't know if he shoots though.

I think Roger Waters of Pink Floyd hunts. At least, he took a very active part in protests when fox hunting in Britain was being banned.

It's best to remember, though, that the fact that someone picked up a gun and shot some animal once doesn't automatically make him or her a nice, intelligent and respectable person. And the other way round.

The Clapton guns I've seen are so gaudy.....nothing I'd be envious of.

As for the boys of The Who....they came from an era when rock stars weren't obligated to follow the crowd and be leaders of liberalism. Pete Townshend is also an accomplished sailor.

That I think is why his pair of 16bore Hollands didn�t sell at auction, who wants a gun with Eric Clapton playing a guitar sitting under a tree bulino engraved, I saw them, lovely guns but the engraving best, Mike

A large part of his collection was sold through Holt's the Auctioneers in their sale of 11th. December 2008. The following are in the catalogue: Pair of unused William Evans 20 bore single trigger sidelock ejectors. A pair of unused Watson Bros. 16 bore round bar single trigger sidelock ejector uver/unders. A pair of virtually unused E.J.Churchill 12 bore 'Premier' rounded bar single trigger self opening sidelock ejectors. A pair of unused 16 bore Holland & Holland 'Royal' single trigger sidelock ejector uver/unders. A pair of unused 12 bore Purdey round bodied single trigger self opening sidelock ejectors. A pair of 20 bore Purdey single trigger over/under sidelock ejectors. A 12 bore Purdey single trigger uver/under sidelock ejector.

They all seem to have been made between 2003 and 2007. Looks like he just bought them and never used or rarely used them. I would suspect that they all sold for less than their initial cost. Lagopus.....

Lagopus you are correct I have the Holt's catalog in front of me
lot Nr 1300 till 1306
Marc.

I have to agree, guns look best when the engraving is understated, a little acanthus scroll, colour case hardening , maybe a tiny amount of gold for contrast and that imho should be it. Some of the guns i have seen look like something out of a french tarts boudoir.

I have a book filled with illustrations of example's of bulino type engraving and some of it is out of a French tart's boudoir! If I posted an example here I expect the pictures would be pulled!
Jim

Seems like old Slowhand's right index finger wasn't fast enough for a Double Trigger, what???...though he could sure move a plectrum ( pick) pretty fast ...there could be a good advert there..some thing like.."Clapton Picks a Single Trigger"
Franc

Marc, I have the catalogue in front of me also. One of Holts valuers lives near to me so I scrounge old catalogues. Very useful. Lagopus.....

Clapton subsequently, in 2010, sold several Boss shotguns thru Gavin Gardiner auctions. Here is a link:

http://www.gavingardiner.com/bidcat/Cata...Submit+now.y=24

Most of everything if not all that he has sold at auction has been single trigger guns. I've been told he "wanted 2 triggers on his English guns."

At any rate I am glad that he is a double gun enthusiast in addition to being an avid fly fisherman. Good for our sports.

Of passing note, a former band mate of Clapton's, Chuck Leavell (touring with the Stones as of late) runs quail hunts on his plantation in Georgia. Here is a link:

http://www.chuckleavell.com/blog2/?s=Charlane+Plantation

Wasn't Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow dating at one time? This to me would make a strange duo considering her liberal politics?
However I do wonder how she's making out with that 1 sheet wipe discipline of hers!
I will let this go at that so Dave doesn't move this to Misfires.
Jim

All these unused guns with EC! Among the British musical greats I always admired my old keyboard idol Steve Winwood for shooting his game and cleaning it as well.

And as far as Bulino engraving goes, I've always thought it was a huge step backwards in fine gun adornment. Same with the use of gold, or should I say "misuse" of gold. I have to admit I've seen some fine doubles with very tasteful use of gold. Not something I would want but still, they looked rather nice.

Now I haven't any idea where I stand with the use of different colors in the engraving of fine guns.