doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Watson Bros. vs. Purdey, H&H, and Boss

Douglass, I think a sidelock Greener would be an alternative since Graham Greener is supervising the operation. What a hoot to own one of his latest. If you want to talk to some guys who can show you their Watsons and Greeners (as well as others) and live almost walking distance from your home, email me. wilmrph@verizon.net Bill Murphy

Eightbore is right on - check out Greener.

I've been told by a lot of people who really know that they are turning out England's finest guns right now.



OWD

Douglass: Think hard and ask yourself why you are commissioning a new British best gun.

If it's for a status object primarily, Purdeys is unquestionably the way to go. The best (i.e. most prestigious) name in the business and new ones are of stupendous quality. Bear in mind, though, that new Purdeys are in many respects products of a high-tech modern factory with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, albeit being assembled and hand-finished to very very very high standards. Super guns but not your Grandad's Purdey ... For many that may not matter and if it doesn't, it doesn't matter.

If it's innovation you wish to patronize, Mike Louca of Watson Bros arguably leads the pack (in Britain anyhow), particularly with his over/under. He has a unique vision for his guns and a desire to set them apart from London competitors, aesthetically and mechanically. Very sleek lines, contemporary yet still recognizably British.

Greeners are the new darlings of the collector's set, with damascus-barrel sidelocks, G-grade Facile Princeps and even a new hammergun returning. Their guns also have a distinct aesthetic that harkens back to best-quality Greeners of old, and the two craftsmen in charge of gun production are considered the equals of PV Nelson. Only side-by-sides offered, though.

AA Brown's are for traditionalists (absolutely no CNC here) who value old-time craftsmanship and perhap real pride in ye olde Birmingham gunmaking traditions from a family that's made guns in Brum going back centuries (though the firm is not that old).

If you're Scottish and proud of it, you'll likely be interested in a DM Brown.

The list goes on...

It's fine food for thought.

I have an early Watson Bros for sale.

A friend vivited for a grouse hunt this past weekend and he shot a 20 bore Watson boxlock and it was a very fine gun.

I hate to say this but if I saw that top photo without a name attached too it...I'd guess it as a Belgium gun.
If that's what you are comparing Purdey or Boss to you better clean off your glasses.

In the best of the London gunmaker circles, there's not a wits difference in the gun handling and it's fit and finish.
...and btw KY, there are a few who could comment without the opening disclaimer.

That gun has nothing on a 1900 Scott box lock.

H&H, Purdey, and Boss guns today are the best they have ever been. The materials are of the finest quality. This is the golden age of gunmaking! I cannot believe that some say the metals of over 100 years ago are better then today! CNC machines provide a higher level of accuracy and significantly reduces labor time in roughing out. Fitting is all done in the traditional methods by hand. All the guns mentioned are high quality, but how can someone compare a H&H or Purdey to a Watson or a Brown is beyond me. What I will say, is the quality difference really worth the money at a certain price point? In other words, is a H&H really $30,000 better then a Brown? If your looking for a bargain, stay away from H&H, Purdey, and Boss. If your looking for something that provides an immense sense of pride and will put a smile on your face every time you take it out of the case buy a H&H, Purdey, or Boss. Most people that knock today's big three have neither shot, owned or posses the means to purchase one. If your so concerned about the exact weight, barrel wall thickness, balance point, etc., stay away from the big three. They know how to make guns and do not need expert advise. To use the car analogy, you would not tell Aston Martin how to build a car. If you do not like their product, you do not want an Aston Martin. Another analogy is, would a Corvette do all that a DB-9 would do? Most likely so! But the question is what do you really want? It your money!!!! Some guys dream about owning a Shelby Mustang some guys dream about a Buggitti. What do you want and what can you afford is the principle question. The Watson is a wonderful Mercedes SL550 and a H&H Royal is a wonderful Aston Martin Vantage. Good luck with your choice.

With the new London guns, the pricing is clearly a big factor.

The £38,000 Watson is a fine gun at a good price. The Purdey and
Hollands are better guns; the details are there - if you can see them and care, they matter. If you can't see them or don't care they do not. The price differential is big.

In terms of shooting quality - the Holland & Holland Royal o/u is the best of the bunch. The best of a very good bunch.

I think Watson produce a very good gun for the price they charge. However, it is not THE SAME as a Pudery or Boss or Holland (you simply do not get the same for £25,000-£35,000 less)whether in guns or anything else.

What Watson were making 100 years ago is irrelevant when considering current production.

Charles Hellis is also worth checking out for 100% hand-made guns and innovative designs.

when considering new guns, i always think it worth looking at the 'nerly new' market and seeing the huge hit you will take if you decide to sell. The auction 'unsold' lists are always full of nearly new guns that the market says are worth alot less than the original owner is prepared to face up to.