Ten luxury guns from around the world

The AYA Nº 2 could be considered one of the leading ‘affordable’ sidelock side-by-sides and one of the most well known AYA models. Mechanically, the Nº 2 is identical to the Nº 1, its predecessor, both guns originally modelled on the time-tested Holland & Holland action. The original was so popular, that engineers decided to re-launch the model with enhanced features such as the engraving. The bold foliate pattern has been faithfully reproduced by laser and finished by hand. To complement the engraving, the Nº 2 ‘de Luxe’ is stocked with upgraded Nº 1 quality walnut and treated to a deeper oil finish and fine checkering. aya-fineguns.com

The ‘Royal’ Over-and-Under is the third incarnation of the original model, introduced in 1992. It fulfils the demand for a ‘best’ over & under for driven game. It is the modern choice, with the in-built aesthetic and quality of a traditional Holland & Holland. The current ‘Royal’ shares its heritage with the model made in the 1950s, with its patent angled-bolting mechanism and ideal handling qualities. The ‘Royal’ Over-and-Under is the ultimate modern game gun, preferred by many of today’s top shots. Beautiful, reliable, and durable. A new Holland & Holland ‘Royal Deluxe’ Over-and-Under sidelock shotgun includes an elaborate composition of deep relief scroll work, griffins and gargoyles with a brush bright finish. hollandandholland.com

A fine and virtually unused game gun with extra finish. The action-body is engraved with game scenes of pheasants and grouse, a duck on the underside, and a pointer on the trigger-guard, all surrounded by best large scrollwork and with a silver finish. The lockplates have ‘J. Purdey & Sons’ inlaid in gold in Old English script, and the trigger-guard has a beaded-edge. The well-figured stock has a leather-covered recoil-pad, and both sets of barrels have raised matt solid-ribs. The stock is 14 1/2oz. with 28in barrels. The gun was completed in 1974. purdey.com

These previously owned 12 bore side by side lightweight self opener guns are ideal for partridge or grouse. Designed and handmade in our London Bridge factory, these guns were made suitable for 24 to 28 gram cartridges giving them the added advantage of the superior pattern of a 12 bore. Our coffin shaped roundbody with 28” game choked barrels is a straight grip stock with our deluxe walnut at 14 1/4”. The pair is exquisitely engraved with our Victoriana pattern and comes wrapped in a beautiful oak and leather case with a full compliment of accessories. watsonbrosgunmakers.com

With a Holland and Holland assisted opening, the Grulla Supreme is incredibly similar in design and manufacturing to the Pall Mall. This similarity is largely based off of the Holland and Holland action. With a round body, stunning wood, and entirely hand engraved, this gun is offering as close to a Best English gun as you can attribute to a Spanish maker. williamevans.com

A stunning and virtually unused example of Phillippe Grifnee’s work. The treble-grip action-body is engraved with game scenes of Cape Buffalo, and the underside with a Buffalo’s head in profile, all surrounded by best large scrollwork. The side-clips and bolsters are carved en suite, and the trigger-plate is signed ‘P. Grifnee’. The lockplates have gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, and the triggers are gold-washed, with an articulated front trigger and beaded-edge trigger-guard. The elongated top-strap is fitted with a bolted safety. The highly-figured stock has a cheek-piece, the pistolgrip with an engraved cap inlaid with ‘.577’ in gold, and with a trap containing a spare foresight-bead, as well as a leather-covered recoil-pad and sling-swivels. The barrels have our address inlaid in gold in Old English script, with a quarter-rib fitted with a standard sight for 50 yards and a folding leaf sight for 75 yards, together with a ramp-mounted bead-foresight with moon-sight. purdey.com

The feeling one experiences in owning a B25 is no different to that of possessing a piece of art by one of the great masters. The B25 is such a masterpiece, the design of which reflects the legendary John M Browning’s knowledge of hunters and firearms. He knew they preferred a single sighting plane and a single selective trigger, and he fulfilled their desires with his unique ability to achieve perfect balance, economy of proportion and an aesthetically pleasing design. The B25 designed has never been bettered, and is still to this day (nearly a 100 years later), the reference point for all over and under shotguns. johnmbrowningcollection.com

Designed specifically for the game shooter on typical English syndicate days, this 12 bore over and under is both fast in the field and able to take out high pheasants with it’s medium weight of 6lb 12oz. No detail was overlooked in designing this gun; from the 29” barrels to the hand file cut top rib and 15 1/4” pistol grip stock made from ultra deluxe walnut. The heavy midnight forest engraving carved with pheasants completes our pheasant gun. Wrapped in an oak and leather case with a full set of French blocked tools and accessories. watsonbrosgunmakers.com

Designed for high bird days, this true left hand opening roundbody single trigger shows the bespoke nature of the Watson Bros name, while focusing on beautiful craftsmanship and design of each shotgun. With 32” barrels, 3” chambers, full choke and elevated ventilated rib, the high pheasant gun was adorned with Edwardian scroll and carved pheasants, which is finished with raised lettering for an extra touch. Stocked to 15 1/2” from our ultra deluxe walnut, the finished weight is 8lb, as to be expected with a heavy load. Sold cased with accessories. watsonbrosgunmakers.com